Check if you need a UK visa

Part of Visit the UK to do research

  1. Step 1

    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

    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. You are currently viewing: Check if you need a visa or an ETA to come to the UK

  3. Step 3

    1. Apply for a Standard Visitor visa

    A Standard Visitor visa costs 拢127 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220.

  4. or

    1. Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

    An ETA costs 拢16 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

    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

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

  7. Step 5

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