Check if you need a UK visa: Information based on your answers

You need a visa to work as an academic or researcher

Based on your answers, you might be eligible for 7 visas.

Skilled Worker visa If you’re coming to work in an eligible skilled job

You may be able to work in an eligible job. Various jobs in research and academia are eligible.

Need a job offer

Yes

Your offer must be from a UK employer that's a registered sponsor for this visa

Need a minimum salary

Yes

How much you need to be paid depends on the work you do

Need knowledge of English

Yes

You must usually prove you can read, write, speak and understand English

Initial visa length

Up to 5 years

Can extend

Yes

You can extend as many times as you want, as long as you're still eligible

Can settle

Yes - after 5 years

Settling means you can live permanently in the UK. If you successfully apply, you can use this status to apply for citizenship

Find out more about the Skilled Worker visa

Global Talent visa If you’re a leader or potential leader in your field

You may be eligible if you’re a leader or potential leader in science, medicine, engineering or humanities.

You can be an employee, self-employed and a director of a company.

Need a job offer

You can find work once you're in the UK

Need a minimum salary

Need knowledge of English

Initial visa length

Up to 5 years

Can extend

Yes

You can extend as many times as you want, as long as you're still eligible

Can settle

Yes - after 3 years

Settling means you can live permanently in the UK. If you successfully apply, you can use this status to apply for citizenship

Find out more about the Global Talent visa

Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work) If you’re coming to work in a research or training programme

You may be able to work as a researcher, visiting academic or examiner if it’s part of an approved programme.

The application fee is cheaper than the Skilled Worker or Global Talent visa.

Need a job offer

Yes

Your offer must be from a UK organisation that has a licence to manage a research or training programme

Need a minimum salary

Need knowledge of English

Initial visa length

Up to 2 years

Can extend

Yes

You can extend as many times as you want, as long as you're still eligible

Can settle

Depends on initial visa

You may be able to extend up to a maximum stay of 2 years. To stay longer, you may be able to switch to another visa

Find out more about the Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work)

Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility) If you’re transferring to your employer’s UK branch to work in an eligible high-skilled job

You may be able to work in an eligible high-skilled job at your employer’s branch in the UK.

Need a job offer

Yes

Your offer must be from a UK employer that's a registered sponsor for this visa

Need a minimum salary

Yes

How much you need to earn depends on the work you do

Need knowledge of English

Initial visa length

Up to 5 years

Can extend

Depends on initial visa and salary

You may be able to extend up to the maximum stay - this depends on your salary. To stay longer, you may be able to switch to another visa

Can settle

Settling means you can live permanently in the UK. If you successfully apply, you can use this status to apply for citizenship

Find out more about the Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility) If you’re transferring to your employer’s UK branch for a graduate trainee programme

You may be able to work in a graduate training programme for a managerial or specialist role at your employer’s branch in the UK.

Need a job offer

Yes

Your offer must be from a UK employer that's a registered sponsor for this visa

Need a minimum salary

Yes

How much you need to earn depends on the work you do

Need knowledge of English

Initial visa length

Up to 1 year

Can extend

No, with exceptions

To stay longer, you may be able to switch to another visa

Can settle

Settling means you can live permanently in the UK. If you successfully apply, you can use this status to apply for citizenship

Find out more about the Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)

Scale-up Worker visa If you’re coming to work for a fast growing UK business (‘scale-up’ business)

You may be able to work in the UK with the option to change employer or job after an initial period.

You must have a job offer to work for at least 6 months:

in an eligible high-skilled job - various jobs in research and academia are eligible
from an approved scale-up business - they must meet eligibility criteria, including growing by 20% each year for the last 3 years

After 6 months, you can choose to work at any other UK employer or become self-employed.

Need a job offer

Yes

Your offer must be for at least 6 months from a UK scale-up business that's a registered sponsor for this visa

Need a minimum salary

Yes

How much you need to be paid depends on the work you do

Need knowledge of English

Yes

You must usually prove you can read, write, speak and understand English

Initial visa length

2 years

Can extend

Yes

You can extend as many times as you want, as long as you're eligible

Can settle

Yes - after 5 years

Settling means you can live permanently in the UK. If you successfully apply, you can use this status to apply for citizenship

Find out more about the Scale-up Worker visa

High Potential Individual (HPI) visa If you've recently graduated from a top global university

You may be able to live and work in the UK. You can be an employee, self-employed or a director of a company.

The eligibility criteria include having a qualification from an eligible university in the last 5 years.

Need a job offer

You can find work once you're in the UK

Need a minimum salary

Need knowledge of English

Yes

You must usually prove you can read, write, speak and understand English

Initial visa length

2 to 3 years

3 years with a PhD or doctoral qualification, otherwise 2 years

Can extend

To stay longer, you may be able to switch to another visa

Can settle

Settling means you can live permanently in the UK. If you successfully apply, you can use this status to apply for citizenship

Find out more about the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa