Academic Visitor Visa
The United Kingdom is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, Oxford University, founded in 1096 #1, and is renowned for its high academic standards. It is an excellent destination for conducting research and participating in academic exchange programs.
If you plan to visit the UK for research or to engage in academic exchange agreements, you will need to apply for a visa. Like the standard visitor visa, you may also apply for your partner and children to join you.
If you are a senior doctor or dentist, you may: #2
- Participate in research.
- Give lectures as long as it is not a permanent teaching position.
- Perform clinical practices as long as the position is not permanent.
If you are from Colombia and your trip is for postgraduate research, you will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. #2 #3
What is an ATAS Certificate?
The ATAS is an approval scheme required for foreign students and researchers subject to UK immigration control. The assessment is based on the applicant’s field of expertise, meaning if you have an engineering background, the test will evaluate your knowledge in that field.
Nationals of countries such as those in the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, Switzerland, the USA, or South Korea do not need to go through this process.
If your visit will last more than 6 months, you will need to meet the requirements of a standard visitor visa. Visit our website for more information… INSERT LINK …
If your stay will exceed 6 months:
- Apply for a standard 12-month visitor visa. This costs £200.
- You can also enter with a standard visa and renew it for an additional 6 months within the UK, but this is costly, with a price of £1,000, allowing for a total stay of 12 months.
It is recommended to apply for the 12-month visa due to the high cost of the second option.
If you plan to stay for more than 6 months, you must:
- Have high qualifications or significant experience in your field, usually a PhD or higher.
- Be actively working in your field in an academic institution.
- Not hold a permanent teaching position.
- If you are not a senior doctor or dentist, you must prove your visit is for research or a formal exchange.
- If you are a senior doctor or dentist, you must demonstrate your visit is for research, clinical practice, formal exchange, or teaching.
Required Documentation:
- A letter including:
- A recommendation from your employer, stating the sabbatical or exchange period and the type of research you will conduct.
- Confirmation from the UK organization hosting you regarding the research, practice, or exchange.
- Tuberculosis test results #4.
Student Visa
To apply for this visa, the applicant must be over 16 years old and meet the following requirements: #5
- Have a licensed student sponsor who has offered you a place in a course. #6
- Ensure that your sponsor has the required license to sponsor students #7. The sponsor will send you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number. #6
- Have sufficient funds to support yourself and pay for the course. The required amount varies based on the course and other factors.
- Have a good understanding of English, enabling you to read, write, and speak fluently.
- If you are between 16 and 17 years old, parental consent is required.
Applying from Outside the UK:
- You can apply for the visa no earlier than 6 months before the course starts.
- You will typically receive a decision within 3 weeks.
Applying from Inside the UK:
- You can apply no earlier than 3 months before the course begins and must have a valid visa. Applications cannot be submitted if the current visa has expired, and the course must start within 28 days of the visa’s expiration.
- The processing time for the visa is approximately 8 weeks.
The visa duration will correspond to the length of the course or study.
For adult students applying for an undergraduate degree, the stay is generally up to 5 years. For other types of studies, the stay can be up to 2 years. #8
If you need to stay longer, you may extend the visa or switch to a postgraduate visa, allowing you to remain for at least 2 years after completing your studies.
When Can You Travel to the UK Once You Have the Visa?
- If the course lasts 6 months, you can travel to the UK up to 1 week before.
- If the course is longer than 6 months, you can travel up to 1 month before.
Visa Fees:
- £363 for applying from outside the UK.
- £490 for applying from inside the UK.
You may also apply for visas for dependents (partner or children) if you are:
- Pursuing a postgraduate degree that lasts 9 months or more.
- Sponsored by the government for a course lasting more than 6 months.
- A student in the Doctorate Extension Scheme.
You must provide proof of your relationship with the dependent:
- Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate.
- Birth certificate or proof of parental responsibility.
For children aged 16 or 17, they must be financially dependent, unmarried, and not in a civil partnership.
If the Child Does Not Live with the Parent Applying for the Visa:
- Explain why they do not live together.
- Provide proof of any rental or support payments made by the parent.
- Demonstrate that the parent provides financial support.
If the Child Lives with the Parent Applying for the Visa:
- Provide bank statements.
- Credit card bills.
- Driver’s license.
- NHS registration document (UK).
- Official letter from the university or school.
The required amount to support yourself and your dependents while living in the UK depends on your location:
- London: £845 per month for courses lasting up to 9 months.
- Outside London: £680 per month for courses lasting up to 9 months.
Applying Simultaneously with Dependents:
- You must demonstrate sufficient funds for your course and to support both yourself and your dependents.
If Applying at Different Times:
- You only need to demonstrate that your partner or child has enough funds to support themselves.
The funds to prove financial support must be held in a bank account for at least 28 consecutive days, with the end of the 28-day period falling within 31 days of the visa application.
If you have a student loan or sponsorship (scholarship), you must provide evidence of this. The loan company or sponsor must issue a certificate verifying the arrangement. If the sponsor does not cover the dependents' expenses, you will need to prove sufficient funds for their maintenance.
Dependents are not required to prove financial support if they have lived in the UK for at least 12 months.
Application for Dependents:
- Apply online as a partner or child.
- Provide a reference number, obtained from completing the GWF form or the Unique Application Number (UAN). These numbers are found in emails and letters from the Home Office regarding your application.
- Provide biometric data within 10 days of the expected UK arrival date.
- The visa duration will match the main applicant's visa.
If you are already in the UK, you may extend or switch your visa, provided your current visa has not expired. The application must be submitted before the visa expires.
You cannot switch visas if the partner or child holds one of the following visas:
- Visitor Visa.
- Short-term Student Visa.
- Seasonal Worker Visa.
- Domestic Worker in a Private Household Visa.
Visa Fees:
- £490.
- Healthcare surcharge.
Important Considerations:
- The migration center may request additional documents.
- Documents not in English or Welsh must be translated.
References:
#1 Oldest Universities
#2 Academic Visitor Visa
#3 ATAS Certificate
#4 TB Test
#5 Student Visa
#6 Student Visa Course
#7 Licensed Sponsors
#8 Student Visa Guide
#9 Student Visa Family Members