Six-month visa:
Academics and researchers applying for the six-month visit visa (standard) may:
- Gather information and facts for a specific project which directly relates to their employment overseas
- Attend a conference/meeting
- Share knowledge or advise on an international project that is being led from the UK, provided the visitor is not carrying out research in the UK
- Accompany students on a study abroad programme.
Twelve-month visa:
An academic applying for a 12-month visit visa (standard) must intend to do one (or more) of the permitted activities:
Academics may:
- Take part in formal exchange arrangements with UK counterparts (including doctors)
- Carry out 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 provided this does not amount to filling a permanent teaching post.
and must:
- Be highly qualified within their own field of expertise
- Be currently working in that field at an academic institution or institution of higher education overseas
- If required, provide a TB certificate
Please contact VISA or GCU London
From 25 February 2026, eligible nationals travelling to the UK as visitors must have a valid ETA unless they already hold a valid UK immigration permission. Carriers will deny boarding to anyone who requires an ETA but does not hold one.
Further information on how to apply, including how to check if you already have an ETA, and when it expires is available on the UK government ETA website.
British dual nationals
British citizens, including those holding another nationality, are not eligible for an ETA. They may only evidence their right of abode with a valid British passport or other passport endorsed with a certificate of entitlement (CoE). From 25 February 2026, anyone unable to present one of these documents risks being denied boarding or delays when returning to the UK.
Further information is available on the UK government dual citizenship website.
eVisas
For visit visa applications paid for on or after 25 February 2026, applicants will receive an eVisa only. This replaces visa vignette stickers and simplifies the user journey, because applicants will attend the Visa Application Centre (VAC) only once to confirm identity. Their passport will be returned during the appointment.
Further information is available on the UK government Move to eVisas website.
Before travelling, all eVisa holders, including children, must create a UKVI account to check their eVisa, update passport details and share their status, if needed, for example, to facilitate other countries at their entry or exit controls.
Anyone who has not linked their current passport or travel document(s) to their eVisa may face inconvenience, delays and additional checks to confirm their UK immigration status.
Further information is available on the UK goverment eVisa website.
