Standard Visitor visa (Academic Visitor)

Academic Visitor is a sub-category of the Standard Visitor route and allows those highly qualified within their field of expertise to visit for up to 12 months to either:

take part in formal exchange arrangements with UK counterparts
carry out research, either as part of your job or independently

An Academic Visitor entering for up to six months can undertake collaborative research with the University. For those applying for a 12-month visa, the research must be independent, or a Government Authorised Exchange (Temporary Work) visa would be required (subject to meeting the requirements).

Only those employed by an academic or higher education institution overseas, in a teaching or research role, for the duration of their visit is eligible under the Academic Visitor visa route. In light of this, research staff should be eligible, but research students would not be.

Queen’s University is not permitted to pay salary to an Academic Visitor.

Depending on your nationality, you’ll either:

have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you travel to the UK
be able to visit the UK for up to six months without needing a visa

You can check if you need a visa before you apply.

All academic visits lasting longer than six months require a Standard Visitor visa regardless of your nationality.

If you have contacted a host academic at Queen’s and agreed for a visit to take place, you must formalise the process by completing the Visiting Scholar nomination form. Once your nomination has been signed off by the Head of School, the International Staff Support Team will be informed and will contact you directly.

Visa application

Visiting Scholar nominees will be referred to International Staff Support by Educational Governance and Partnerships (EGP). As applicable, the International Staff Support team will request an ATAS research statement from the School and forward to you upon receipt. The ATAS certificate, if applicable, must be obtained before gaining access to the University.

Separately to a letter from EGP conferring the Visiting Title, Academic Visitors should also receive an invitation letter from the host School that can be used for the purposes of the visa application.

To show you meet the eligibility requirements, you must also provide a letter from your employer to confirm that you are currently working in your field of expertise at an academic institution overseas, including the duration of your visit to Queen’s and that any absences from your place of employment while you will be carrying out research at Queen's University is approved.

To evidence that you are highly qualified within your field of expertise, your PHD certificate is suitable.

You must also be able to show that you’re able to support yourself and any dependents for the duration of your visit as part of your visa application. Bank statements should be sufficient to demonstrate this. It is advisable to provide two or three, with the most recent one dated within the last 28 days before the visa application. Any letters confirming grant funding, where relevant, should also be provided.

A Standard Visitor visa costs £127 for up to six months. If your intended visit is for more than six months, the cost of the visa is £220.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
Relevant international researchers who hold a visit visa must obtain an ATAS certificate before starting research in the UK. The ATAS requirement only applies to certain nationalities, and in certain research fields. Access to the University will not be granted without presenting a valid ATAS certificate. It is therefore recommended that an Academic Visitor obtains an ATAS certificate prior to travelling to the UK.
Tuberculosis (TB) test
If you are applying to come to the UK for more than six months, from a country which is considered to have a high incidence of TB, you must provide a valid medical certificate (issued by a Home Office approved medical practitioner) which confirms you have undergone screening and have been diagnosed as free from active TB.
Dependants
Your partner and children can apply to stay with you for up to 12 months. They can apply for a Standard Visitor visa in advance or visit for six months and extend their stay once in the UK.

Any dependent child in the UK, with a parent who has permission as a visiting academic undertaking research for up to 12 months, is permitted to attend a state-funded school or a state-funded academy.
Document Checks
International Staff Support will email you to advise which documents must be presented to the host School on arrival/before your visit can commence (for example, visa vignette, ATAS certificate, etc.).