The Science and Academia Visit Visa falls under the Standard Visitor route, catering to scientists, researchers, and academics looking to engage in permitted unpaid science or academic activities in the UK for up to 6 months, or up to 12 months for certain academics.

This route does not provide a pathway for settlement in the UK, as it necessitates that all visitors submit individual applications, even if they are traveling as a group.

Science and Academia Visit Visa Requirements

To be eligible for a Science and Academia Visit Visa, you must demonstrate to UK Visas & Immigration that:

• You hold a visa and do not qualify for visa waivers upon entering the UK.
• Your purpose of visit aligns with the permitted activities under the visitor routes;
• You commit to refraining from engaging in any activities that are prohibited;
• You possess adequate financial resources to cover all expenses related to your stay, including travel, living, and accommodation costs, without relying on employment or public funds;
• Your intention is to depart from the UK after your visit concludes.
• You do not plan to reside in the UK for extended periods by frequently visiting or making it your primary place of residence;
• Your application does not meet the criteria for refusal based on general grounds;
• You have secured an Electronic Travel Authorisation, if it is a mandatory requirement for your travel.

The specific criteria you must meet may differ based on your individual situation. It may be beneficial to consult with an immigration solicitor for professional guidance.

Requirement for Visa Nationals

A visa national is a person who, based on their citizenship, must acquire a Visit Visa in order to travel to the UK as a Visitor. Visa nationals are generally required to apply for a Visit Visa before traveling to the UK.

The Home Office has released a list of nationalities that must apply for a Visit Visa before traveling to the UK as a Visitor. This list contains some exceptions, which permit certain visa nationals to request entry as a Visitor upon arrival in the UK.

Non-visa nationals can typically request entry as a Visitor upon arrival in the UK. However, non-visa nationals still need to meet the requirements for entry as a Visitor and should be ready to explain, for instance, the purpose of their visit, how they will be supported and accommodated in the UK, and their return travel plans upon arrival.

EU citizens are considered non-visa nationals and can request entry as a Visitor upon arrival in the UK without the need for a Visit Visa.

In addition to assisting visa nationals with Visit Visa applications, our barristers regularly help non-visa nationals meet the requirements for entry as a Visitor upon arrival in the UK.

Visa for Scientists, Researchers, and Academics

The Science and Academia Visit Visa is available for scientists, researchers, and academics who will be employed overseas and will only engage in activities in the UK that are related to their overseas employment. This may include providing advice on international projects, sharing research knowledge, or participating in teaching or clinical practice.

Academics, scientists, and researchers are permitted to conduct research for personal or employment purposes overseas, as long as the research does not have commercial objectives. Applicants for a 12-month Academic Visitor visa or an extension must be highly qualified in their field (typically holding a PhD or higher) and working at an academic or higher education institution abroad.

Permissible Activities for Science and Academic Visit Visa

To be eligible for a Science and Academia Visit Visa, which is valid for up to 6 months, you must demonstrate to UK Visas & Immigration that your planned visit to the UK aligns with the permitted purposes outlined in the visitor routes, and that you will not engage in any prohibited activities.

If you are a scientist or researcher, you are allowed to participate in specific permitted activities as a Science and Academia Visitor with prior authorisation.

• Collect data and evidence for a particular project linked to your work abroad, carry out independent investigation or participate in research endeavors beyond personal goals.
• Offer expertise or guidance on a global project managed from the UK, as long as you are not conducting research within the UK.

As an academic, you have the opportunity to engage in the approved activities as a Science and Academia Visitor, provided that you have obtained the necessary permission.

• Participate in official exchange programs with colleagues from the United Kingdom, such as doctors.
• Conduct research for personal use or participate in research endeavors beyond personal goals while on sabbatical from your home institution.
• Engage in research, teaching, or clinical work if you are a distinguished senior doctor or dentist, ensuring it does not involve permanently filling a teaching position.

Visitors with the Science and Academia Visit Visa, a subset of the Standard Visitor route, have the authorisation to participate in additional activities that are approved under the Standard Visitor route. Paid engagements are allowed as long as they are arranged before traveling to the UK and completed within 30 days of arrival in the UK.

Academics Interested in Visiting the UK for a Period Exceeding 6 Months

An individual employed by a foreign institution, such as an academic or their accompanying partner or child, may be eligible for an Academic Visit Visa lasting up to 12 months if they are engaged in specific permitted activities. To obtain a 12-month Academic Visit Visa, academics must follow the application process.

• Plan to engage in one or more of the approved activities for a maximum of 12 months:
• Participate in a formal exchange program with UK counterparts, including doctors;
• Conduct research for personal purposes while on sabbatical leave from your home institution;
• If you are a distinguished senior doctor or dentist, engage in research, teaching, or clinical practice as long as it does not constitute filling a permanent teaching position;
• Possess a high level of expertise in your specific field;
• Presently working in that sector at an academic institution or higher education institution abroad.
• Please ensure that you have a valid TB certificate available, if necessary.

Academics intending to stay in the UK for a period of 6 months or less are not required to meet these criteria.

Intention to Depart from the UK Necessary for a Science and Academia Visit Visa

Besides demonstrating to the Home Office your genuine intention to enter the UK for an authorized reason and meeting the extra eligibility criteria, you must also prove, when applying for a Science and Academia Visit Visa, that you will depart the UK after your visit and will not reside in the country for prolonged periods by frequently visiting or making it your primary residence.

When evaluating your application, the Home Office will take into account various factors such as:

• Your immigration history, such as trips to the UK and other nations, in the past;
• Your financial situation, along with your family, social, and economic background;
• Your connections to your country of residence, both personal and economic.

The Home Office reserves the right to investigate the legitimacy of your visit if you do not have substantial ties to your home country, possess a large number of relatives in the UK, have a track record of attempting to deceive the Home Office in immigration affairs, or if discrepancies exist between your statements and those of your sponsor.

Financial Requirement for Science and Academia Visit Visa

Sufficient funds are required to cover your visit expenses, without relying on employment or public assistance.

Your funds must be held in an approved financial institution.

If a third party has a genuine professional or personal relationship with you, abides by immigration laws, and can financially support you throughout your visit as a Visitor, they may cover your travel, living, and accommodation expenses.

English Language Requirement for Science and Academic Visit Visa

Applicants for the Science and Academia Visit Visa are not required to meet an English language proficiency standard.

Duration of Science and Academia Visit Visa Validity

If you intend to travel to the UK for a Science and Academia Visit, you have the option to apply for a Visit Visa that can be valid for 6-months, 2-years, 5-years, or 10-years.

You are allowed to enter and exit the UK multiple times within the validity period of your Visit Visa, unless it is specifically endorsed for single or dual entry purposes.

Each visit to the UK should not exceed 6 months.

An academic (or their accompanying partner or child), who is employed by an overseas institution and is engaged in specific permitted activities, may be eligible for an Academic Visit Visa that allows a visit of up to 12 months, provided they meet the additional eligibility requirements mentioned earlier.

Science and Academia Visa with Work Entitlement

Science and Academia Visitors are restricted from engaging in work in the UK or receiving payment from a UK source for any activities carried out in the country, except for a few specific circumstances.

This implies that Science and Academia Visitors are not allowed to take up employment, start or manage a business as a self-employed individual, work for an organization or company in the UK, participate in a work placement or internship in the UK, or offer goods or services in the UK.

As the Science and Academia Visit Visa falls under the Standard Visitor route, Science and Academia Visitors can engage in other activities permitted under the Standard Visitor route. This includes participating in permitted paid engagements, as long as the paid engagement is arranged prior to traveling to the UK and is completed within 30 days of arrival in the UK.

While in the UK, Science and Academia Visitors are allowed to engage in remote work, but their primary reason for visiting should not be remote work. The main purpose of their visit should be to participate in a permitted activity, rather than solely working remotely from the UK.

Additionally, Science and Academia Visitors are allowed to travel to the UK to search for employment and attend job interviews. However, if offered a job, they must leave the UK and apply for the appropriate entry clearance before starting work.

Fees for Science and Academia Visit Visa Application

The application fee for a Science and Academia Visit Visa for a short stay of up to 6 months is presently £115.

The cost of an Academic Visit Visa for a duration exceeding 6 months but not surpassing 12 months amounts to £200.

If you wish to apply for a Science and Academia Visit Visa valid for 2-years, 5-years, or 10-years, the Home Office application fee will be £400, £771, or £963 respectively.