Visit the UK to do research

Find out what to do if you鈥檙e visiting the UK to do research. This could be academic research or research that鈥檚 relevant to a course you鈥檙e studying overseas.

  1. Step 1 Check if you鈥檙e eligible

    Find out what activities you can do and how to prove your eligibility if you鈥檙e:

    You must meet the Standard Visitor eligibility requirements even if you do not need a visa.

  2. Step 2 Check if you need a visa

    Depending on the country you're from, you might be able to visit the UK without a visa or by applying for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

    1. Check if you need a visa or an ETA to come to the UK

  3. Step 3 Apply for a visa

    1. Apply for a Standard Visitor visa

    A Standard Visitor visa costs 拢115 and allows you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

    If you鈥檙e an academic you can apply to stay for up to 12 months. This costs 拢200.

  4. or Apply for an electronic travel authorisation

    1. Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

    An ETA costs 拢10 and allows you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

    You may want to apply for a Standard Visitor visa if your research will last longer than 6 months.

  5. or Apply for a family permit

    You may be able to visit on a family permit if you have a family member who is:

    • a citizen of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
    • a Person of Northern Ireland
    • a British citizen
    1. Check if you can apply for a family permit

  6. Step 4 Check what you can bring with you

    1. Check what you can bring with you
    2. Check what food, animals or plants you can bring into the UK

  7. Step 5 Check what you need to show at the UK border

    1. Check what you need to show at the UK border