Academic Standard Visitor
A handy list of the documents you will need to support you during your visa application.
What documents do I need to apply for an academic visa?
Don’t forget, you’ll need to show your passport (and any other travel documents) to visit the UK, and remember to check it’s going to be valid for your whole stay, to avoid any delays when returning.
You’ll need to be able to show that:
- you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit.
- you (or someone else) are able to pay for yourself and your children (or any other people who depend on you) throughout your trip.
- you (or someone else) can pay for your return journey or onward journey.
- you’ll not make the UK your primary home, or live in the UK via multiple visits.
Please note, what you need to enter the UK can differ if you’re travelling from Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.
Due to the risk of tuberculosis (TB), you will need to provide a certificate that confirms you don’t have TB if you’re travelling from any of the countries listed, here. You can check if you’ll need to take a TB test, here.
Don’t forget to provide certified translations for the above is they’re not in English or Welsh.
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Are there any additional supporting documents I need to be aware of as an academic?
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Are the requirements different if I’m looking to research at post-graduate level or above?
Yes there are, as an academic, you’ll need to confirm you meet the requirements by having a letter from:
- your employer, confirming the dates of your sabbatical or exchange
- your employer, confirming the research you plan to do
- the UK host organisation, confirming the arrangements for your research, exchange, or clinical practice
The only difference is you may be asked to get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before you start your research.