VISA REQUIREMENTS (applicable to non-EU/EEA citizens staying longer than 6 months): ACADEMIC VISITOR CATEGORY
The College is obliged to point out to you the UK Border Agency requirements regarding visas for entry to the UK.
As you are visiting us solely to carry out your own private research or exchange information on research techniques, which may include some collaboration with staff at Oxford or use of facilities, you can apply for an Academic Visitor visa. The appropriate application form on the UK Border Agency site is here:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/visas/vaf1e.pdf
(see also http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/visas/01e-business-academic-visitor)
If you wish to come to the UK as an Academic visitor you can do so provided you are either:
a person on sabbatical leave from an overseas academic institution who wishes to make use of their leave to carry out research here (e.g to do research for a book)
NB. Those who are on sabbatical leave from private research companies are not eligible for leave under the academic visitor provisions - see INF guidance on points-based system Tier 2 or Tier 5.
or
an academic (including doctors) taking part in formal exchange arrangements with United Kingdom counterparts; or
an eminent senior doctor or dentist coming to take part in research, teaching or clinical practice.
In addition you must:
not receive funding for your work from any United Kingdom source (payments of expenses or reasonable honoraria may be disregarded, as may payments on an exchange basis);
not engage in any work other than the academic activity for which you are being admitted;
not be filling a normal post or a genuine vacancy;
not stay in the UK for more than 12 months;
not intend to take employment in the UK;
intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit;
be able to maintain yourself and any dependants without having recourse to public funds (or be adequately maintained and accommodated by relatives or friends);
be able to meet the cost of your return or onward journey from the UK.
How long can I stay in the UK as an Academic Visitor?
The maximum permitted stay in this category is 12 months.