Standard Visitor visa (Permitted Paid Engagement)
Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) is a sub-category of the Standard Visitor route and is available for individuals invited to the UK as an expert in their profession, e.g. as an External Examiner or Guest Lecturer. Visitors to the UK are generally permitted to enter for up to six months at a time however, any PPE must take place within the first 30 days of the visit.
As a visitor under the PPE route, you can stay in the UK for up to one month and be paid by the University to:
- be a student examiner or assessor
- chair or take part in selection panels as a highly qualified academic
- give lectures, as long as it’s not a part-time or full-time role
- to speak at a conference or seminar
PPE visitors can be semi-retired, but those who are fully retired are not eligible under the PPE route.
You will require a formal letter of invitation from the host School to be able to enter the UK under this route as well as proof that the paid engagement relates to your expertise, qualifications and main job in your home country, such as a letter from your overseas employer.
The activity must have been agreed before you enter the UK. Someone who is already in the UK as a Visitor cannot be engaged as either a Guest Lecturer or an External Examiner.
Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa in advance of travelling to the UK. If not, you will need to apply for an ETA and should still carry the correct documentation when travelling to be able to demonstrate to an immigration officer at the UK border that you’re eligible for a PPE visa even if you don’t need one, if requested.
If you are required to make an application for a Standard Visit visa, you must declare that during your visit, you will be conducting a PPE even if you intend to come for a longer period and the PPE comprises only a small part of your visit.
If you’re a professional artist, entertainer or musician invited by the School of Arts, English and Languages you can also be paid to do an activity that relates directly to your profession including:
- performing
- talking about, presenting or launching your work to other professionals or the public
- giving lectures
- joining judging panels or debate panels
- taking part in professional conferences
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Right to Work (RTW)
A RTW check must be carried out by the host School before you carry out your PPE activity and should be completed on the first visit to the University (work carried out overseas is not subject to a RTW check).
Note that there should not be more than one engagement of up to 30 days within any six-month period. On each new occasion that you come to Queen’s, a new RTW check should be completed.