Standard Visitor Visas
The Standard Visitor visa route allows individuals to undertake a wide range of activities, however, only a few of those activities would be relevant for visitors to the University of Huddersfield, such as those which fall under following subcategories:
- Business
- Academic
- Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) for Lecturers, Academic Examiners and Assessors
All arrangements must be made before applicants travel to the UK
Please note:
- Applications for Standard visitor visas are made directly by the applicant. They do not require sponsorship from the University.
- Initial applications cannot be made inside the UK, however, those under the Academic subcategory can apply to extend up to a maximum period of 12 months.
- For visits of up to 6 months some visitors will not require a visa before coming to the UK to undertake certain activities. Visitors can check if a visa is required on the Gov.uk website.
Visits of more than 6 months require a Standard Visitor Visa regardless of nationality.
Those who do not require a visa must seek leave to enter at any UK port from an Immigration Officer. If a stamp is not added to the visitors passport, they must retain evidence of their arrival to the UK in the form of tickets/boarding passes.
- Visitors cannot do paid or unpaid work unless they are coming to the UK to undertake a Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) within the first 30 days of arrival to the UK.
- Visitors cannot receive payment from a UK source except reasonable expenses and subsistence unless they are coming to the UK to undertake a Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) within the first 30 days of arrival to the UK.
- Visitors must be able to support themselves during the trip or have funding from someone else to support them.
- If visitors are conducting research an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate may be required. This applies to certain nationalities and certain research fields. If an ATAS certificate is required as a Standard Visitor Visa holder it must be obtained prior to any research being undertaken in the UK.
- Visitors must leave the UK at the end of their visit and they cannot switch to another visa category.
- Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visitors are not University employees and will not be paid through the University Payroll therefore, payment should be made via an alternative method.
Please contact Sean Morland, Payroll Team Leader (email: s.p.morland@hud.ac.uk, telephone: 01484 256635) for assistance in confirming the appropriate method of payment.
Please refer to the boxes below for further information on each subcategory.
Business Visitors
Information on visiting the UK to undertake business activities on a Standard Visitor Visa.
Academic Visitors (up to 6 months)
Information on visiting the UK as an academic, scientist or researcher on a Standard Visitor Visa.
Academic Visitors (up to 12 months)
Information on visiting the UK as an academic on a Standard Visitor Visa for up to 12 months, or extending up to 12 months whilst already in the UK.
Permitted Paid Engagement - Lecturers
Information for Lecturers wishing to visit the University to undertake a Permitted Paid Engagement on a Standard Visitor Visa
Permitted Paid Engagement - Examiners & Assessors
Information for Academic Examiners/Assessors wishing to visit the University to undertake Permitted Paid Engagement on a Standard Visitor Visa.
Invitation Letter Templates
Templates to be used by Schools wishing to invite overseas visitors to undertake activities on a Standard Visitor visa
Right to Work Checks: Standard Visitor Visas
Information on right to work checks for visitors to the University on a Standard Visitor visa
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
Guidance on the ATAS scheme for international visitors and employees undertaking research in the UK