Visitor Visas - Science and Academia

International academics, scientists, and researchers can visit the UK on a Standard Visitor visa or a Science and Academia Visitor visa, depending on the reason for their visit.

Up to six months: Researchers on a Standard Visitor visa can collaborate or carry out research, either for a specific project which directly relates to their employment overseas, or independently.

Up to twelve months: Researchers on a Science and Academia Visitor visa can carry out independent, self-directed research for their own purposes. They must be highly qualified academics, scientists or researchers who are currently employed in their own field of expertise at an overseas academic institution and they must also be on sabbatical leave from their home institution during their visit to the UK.

Providing they do not fill a substantive post, academics, researchers and scientists can take part in formal exchange arrangements, while eminent senior doctors or dentists can take part in research, teaching or clinical practice.

International visitors cannot:

• be paid, fill or cover a role, do work placements or internships
• study, access medical treatment, claim public funds or live in the UK through successive visits

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

International visitors who will be studying or carrying out postgraduate level research in STEM subjects must obtain Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) approval before they start the research.  ATAS approval can take several weeks or months and further information is available on the ATAS webpages.

Next Steps

• Check whether the visitor requires ATAS approval and obtain a copy of the ATAS certificate.
• Issue a visitor invitation letter to the visitor.
• The visitor's visa must be checked on arrival in the department.

Useful information and links

Further information for departmental colleagues is available on our Visitor visas webpage.

Further information for visitors is available on our Supporting International Visitors webpage.

UKVI Guidance - Science and academia

Should you have any questions or queries you can contact the team at hr-compliance@york.ac.uk.