Visa Procedure

On 1 February 1988, Her Majesty's Government introduced a standard period of six months for which visitor status is granted on arrival in the United Kingdom. Visitors qualifying for the academic visitor concession (for whom work permits are accordingly not required) remain entitled to visitor status for up to 12 months. The Home Office will issue guidance to immigration officers to this effect. Such visitors should continue to claim the 12 months' concession on arrival, on the basis of written confirmation from their host institutions of the nature, duration and funding of their appointments. Visitors who receive only the six months concession on arrival may subsequently apply for its extension to 12 months.