Academic visitors

The ‘Academic Visitor’ route is a sub-category of Standard Visitor Visa to enter the UK. Academic Visitors can apply visa for 6 months or up to 12 months.

Who can qualify as an Academic Visitor?

Academic Visitors are highly qualified individuals within their own fields who are employed at a Higher Education institution overseas in teaching or research type roles.Usually academics are people on a sabbatical leave coming to the University to undertake:

• their own private research.
• take part in an arranged exchange programme.
• taking part in a conference or seminar that is not a commercial venture;

Research staff would be eligible under this category but research students would not. Students who are coming to the University of Huddersfield to undertake research as part of their studies should apply for a short term study visa.

Who cannot be an Academic Visitor?

• Recent graduates
• People on sabbatical leave from private research companies,
• Those being paid to give lecture(s) or sponsored researchers
• Individuals intending to undertake paid or unpaid work, get public funds or live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent visits

Can Academic Visitors bring dependants to the UK?

Yes, dependant spouse/partners and children of Academic Visitors can obtain Standard Visitor visas to accompany them in the UK for up to 6 or 12 months.

Making the application

Most applications must be made online through the Visa4UK website under the Standard Visitor visa route.

Required documentation

• Current passport or other valid travel identification
• Two passport photos
• Letter from the University of Huddersfield confirming the invitation to undertake research. The letter should confirm the type of research and duration of the project.
• Proof that the academic visitor is highly qualified in their own field of expertise and currently working in that field at an academic or higher education institution overseas, for example a letter from their employer or home University, confirming their position, the type of research and a return date.
• Details of where they intend to stay and their travel plans
• Evidence that they can support themselves during their trip, e.g. bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months.
• Documents to confirm that they intend to return after the period of research. This could include a mortgage or tenancy agreement and confirmation of family ties in your home country.

Visa processing times

Please check the visa processing times on the Home Office website.

Biometric appointment

Visit visa applicants must attend a biometric appointment to have their fingerprints and photo taken. They will be able to select an appointment date at the end of the online application process.

Sending documents to the Home Office

After the application has been paid for and the biometric appointment has been booked, the Home Office will send an acknowledgement email to the applicant telling them where to send their supporting documents.