Business, Academic and PPE visitors

Visitors to the UK who wish to participate in any activities in the University must hold an appropriate visa. Visitors holding a general 'tourist' visa are not allowed to participate in any activities in the University whatsoever.

Depending on the nature of the activities involved, visitors to the University may be required to hold a Business Visitor visa, an Academic Visitor visa or a Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visitor visa. The activities permitted under a Business Visitor visa are more restrictive than those under an Academic Visitor and PPE visa. However, note that none of these categories allows migrants to work on University-hosted research projects. Such migrants should consider applying for a temporary worker visa under Tier 5.

It is a departmental /college responsibility to ensure that all visitors participating in University activities are properly entitled to do so. It is recognised that it could be considered potentially embarrassing to have to ask, for example, an eminent visiting professor to confirm their immigration status. However, it would be significantly more embarrassing to the individual, to the department /college, and to the University if such a person was identified as an illegal migrant during a UK Border Agency compliance visit, taken to a detention centre and subsequently deported.

Further information on the Business Visitor, Academic Visitor and PPE Visitor routes can be found at the following links.

Those who are unlikely to be classed as Business or Academic Visitors

The following includes examples of those who are unlikely to qualify for Business or Academic Visitor visas:

Documents