Standard Visitor Visa (Academic)
An academic applying for a 12 month visitor (standard) visa must:
- be highly qualified within their own field of expertise; and
- be currently working in that field at an academic institution or institution of higher education overseas; and
- if required, provide a valid medical certificate issued by a medical practitioner confirming they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this screening is negative.
An academic may:
- take part in formal exchange arrangements with UK counterparts (including doctors);
- carryout research for their own purposes if they are on sabbatical leave from their home institution;
- if they are an eminent senior doctor or dentist, take part in research, teaching or clinical practice providing this does not amount to filling a permanent teaching post.
Study
Visitors (standard) may carry out the following study:
- education exchanges or visits with a UK state or independent school; or
- a maximum of 30 days study on:
- Recreational courses (not English language training)
- A short-course (which includes English language training) at an accredited institution;
- provided that the main purpose of the visit is not to study.