Standard visitors

Permissions and restrictions

A visitor can come to the UK to:

• study a course at an accredited institution (meaning one or more consecutive or concurrent programmes of study that will be completed within the validity period of the visitor permission)
• complete a period of research
• complete research tuition (for example, to learn about research) if they are studying a programme overseas that is the equivalent of a UK degree level course and the research forms part of, or is relevant to their programme
• complete one or more elective courses linked to their overseas study, where they are studying medicine, veterinary medicine and science, or dentistry as their principal course of study equivalent to at least degree level study in the UK
• complete a study-abroad programme in the UK as part of an overseas course, where the programme is less than 6 months in length
• sit an entrance exam
• re-sit an examination or retake a module
• take an oral (viva) examination for part of a PhD qualification at a UK institution

The only situation in which a Standard visitor may study on a course that will not be completed within their 6-month stay is where a student is undertaking distance learning. Distance learning students are expected to be studying for the majority of their time outside of the UK for a UK qualification by distance learning, but may be required to be in the UK for short periods of time for certain activities, such as induction weeks, intensive face-to-face learning, one-to-one progress checks or to sit exams or assessments.

Standard visitors cannot:

• Work in the UK, including where this is part of their programme of studies*
• Access medical treatment, other than private medical treatment or to donate an organ
• Get married or form a civil partnership, or give notice of intention to marry or form a civil partnership
• Receive payment from a UK source for any activities undertaken in the UK, except for:
  • reasonable expenses to cover the cost of travel and subsistence;
  • Prize money.

*Except Medical Electives

For visa purposes, the visitor will require a letter detailing the activity they will undertake.  In some cases their programme offer letter will suffice, but in some cases they will require a specific letter.  We have provided some templates below.

Other requirements

As with all students who require immigration permission to be in the UK, Standard visitors doing certain Science and Engineering programmes will require an ATAS certificate, regardless of the duration of their studies.  The relevant information must therefore be included in their offer/invitation letter if this is required for their subject area.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Resources

Template visa invitation letters