Visit the UK to do research

Find out what to do if you’re visiting the UK to do research. This could be academic research or research that’s relevant to a course you’re studying overseas.

  1. Step 1 Check if you’re eligible

    Find out what activities you can do and how to prove your eligibility if you’re:

    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 £115 and allows you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

    If you’re an academic you can apply to stay for up to 12 months. This costs £200.

  4. or Apply for an electronic travel authorisation

    1. Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

    An ETA costs £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