Academic Visit
For academics, senior doctors and dentists to do research, a formal exchange or clinical practice in the UK for up to 12 months.
- Screening A few questions about your work, your family and your plans.
- Documents A checklist built around your route and who is coming with you.
- Expert review A qualified adviser reads every document before anything is filed.
- Application Every answer is checked against the published rules for your route.
- Submission Filed, with everything that went with it kept in one place.
- Arrival We stay with you through the crossing and the first steps after.
Application fee
£234
For an academic visit of up to 12 months
Longest visit
12 months
Academics; 6 months is the usual limit
Paid work allowed
No
Not for a UK company or self-employed
Can an academic visit the UK as a Standard Visitor?
Yes. A scientist, researcher or academic can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for up to 6 months to take part in a formal exchange or carry out research. Someone highly qualified and currently working at an overseas academic institution can instead apply for a visa lasting up to 12 months, or enter for 6 months and later extend their stay to 12 months in total.
Who this route is for
For a standard-length visit, academics, scientists and researchers can take part in formal exchange arrangements with UK counterparts or to carry out research, either as part of their job overseas or independently; senior doctors and dentists can also take part in research, teaching or clinical practice, provided this is not a permanent post. For the longer academic variant, you must additionally be highly qualified in your field of expertise (usually a PhD or higher) and currently working in that field at an academic institution overseas, and where the visit is independent research rather than part of your job, you must be on sabbatical leave from your home institution. Researching certain subjects at postgraduate level or above may also require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate.
Visiting for a standard stay or the longer academic variant
A Standard Visitor visa covers the route’s general published length of stay. An academic who meets the additional requirements can instead apply, before travelling, for the longer academic entry clearance; alternatively, they can enter for the standard length and later apply from inside the UK to extend their stay to the longer academic total. A partner or child can apply to stay for the same longer period, with their own application and fee.
Requirements
- Genuine visitorYou must show you'll leave the UK at the end of your visit and are not seeking to live in the UK through frequent or successive visits.
- Activities allowed for up to 6 monthsScientists, researchers and academics can take part in formal exchange arrangements with UK counterparts, or carry out research as part of their job overseas or independently. Senior doctors and dentists can also take part in research, teaching or clinical practice, as long as this does not amount to a permanent post.
- Additional requirements for a visa lasting more than 6 monthsYou must be highly qualified in your field of expertise, usually a PhD or higher, and currently working in that field at an academic institution overseas. If you are not a senior doctor or dentist, you must also be visiting to do research or a formal exchange; if you are, you must be visiting to do research, clinical practice, a formal exchange, or to teach, and not filling a permanent teaching post.
- Sabbatical leave (for independent research)Where the visit is to carry out research for your own purposes rather than as part of your job, you must be on sabbatical leave from your home institution.
- ATAS certificate, for certain researchYou may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate before you start your research, if you're researching certain subjects at postgraduate level or above.
- Tuberculosis test, for some countries and longer staysDepending on where you come from, you may need a certificate confirming you have been screened for tuberculosis, particularly for a visit longer than 6 months.
Documents typically needed
- Passport or travel documentShowing your identity and nationality.
- Letter from your employerOutlining the dates of your sabbatical or exchange, or the research to be undertaken.
- Letter from the UK host organisationConfirming the arrangements for your research, exchange or clinical practice.
- Evidence of your qualifications and field of expertiseFor example evidence you are highly qualified, such as a PhD, and working in that field at an academic institution overseas.
- Tuberculosis test certificateIf required for your country and length of stay.
How to apply
Check the basic Standard Visitor eligibility requirements
Confirm you meet the general genuine-visitor and financial requirements that apply to every Standard Visitor.
Work out how long you need to stay
Decide whether you're visiting for up to 6 months, or need the additional academic requirements that apply to a stay of up to 12 months.
Gather your evidence
Collect letters from your employer and your UK host organisation, and a tuberculosis test certificate if you need one.
Apply online, if you need a visa
Apply for the visa length you need before you travel, or apply for a 6-month Standard Visitor visa and extend your stay once you're in the UK.
Prove your identity and wait for a decision
Prove your identity and provide your documents, then wait for the decision. This usually takes 3 weeks from outside the UK, or 8 weeks for an extension made inside the UK.
Fees & costs
- Standard Visitor visa, up to 6 months
- £135
- Standard Visitor visa for academics, up to 12 months (apply before travelling)
- £234
- Extend a visit to 12 months in total (apply from inside the UK)
- £1,172
Fees are set by the Home Office and can change. A partner or child applying to stay for up to 12 months must have their own application and pay the £1,172 fee. Source: GOV.UK, visit as an academic / when you can extend your stay.
Processing times
- Apply from outside the UK
- Usually within 3 weeks
- Extend from inside the UK
- Usually within 8 weeks
Standard service times published by the Home Office; a faster decision may be available for an extra fee.
What you can and can't do
Permitted
- Take part in formal exchange arrangements with UK counterparts, including doctors
- Carry out research, either as part of your job overseas or independently
- As a senior doctor or dentist, take part in research, teach, or undertake clinical practice, as long as this is not a permanent post
- Apply for a visa lasting up to 12 months, or extend a 6-month visit to 12 months, if you are highly qualified and currently working at an overseas academic institution
- Bring a partner and children to stay with you for up to 12 months, if you have permission to stay that long
Not permitted
- Fill a permanent teaching, research or clinical post
- Carry out postgraduate-level research in certain subjects without an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate, where one is required
- Access public funds
If the application is refused
A refusal decision explains the reasons under the published rules. Most visit visa refusals do not carry a right of appeal; a right of appeal may be available only on human rights grounds, and the refusal notice explains whether this applies and any time limits.
Common questions
Can an academic stay in the UK for longer than 6 months?
How much does the 12-month academic visa cost?
Do I need to be a senior doctor or dentist to use this route?
Can my partner and children come with me?
Do I need an ATAS certificate?
What does 'sabbatical leave' mean for this route?
What happens if an application is refused?
Talk it through with one of our solicitors.
Book a consultation and one of our immigration solicitors will go through your situation, the documents involved, and what happens next.
Business Visit
A Business Visitor Visa allows you to attend meetings, conferences, site visits and negotiations in the UK for up to six months. Employment or providing services in the UK is not allowed.
Read the guide →Student Visa
Study in the UK from age 16 with a licensed student sponsor. You need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies to apply.
Read the guide →Permitted Paid Engagement Visit
For experts invited to do pre-arranged paid work in the UK, such as a lecture or a performance. You must finish it in your first 30 days.
Read the guide →