US student participating in science research in the UK. What visa do I need?
I am a US student planning to spend 8 weeks working in a university research lab in London during May and June 2017. I am not traveling through any study-abroad program. The primary investigator just agreed to let me spend 8 weeks gaining research experience. It is unpaid. I am confused as to whether I need a Tier 5 visa because I will be doing "unpaid work" or whether I do not because the gov.uk website says that people participating in academic research do not need a visa?? I don't think I qualify for a student visa because I am not enrolling in the university .
visas uk study working-visas
asked Feb 8 '17 at 21:11
user57179user57179
211
add a comment |
I am a US student planning to spend 8 weeks working in a university research lab in London during May and June 2017. I am not traveling through any study-abroad program. The primary investigator just agreed to let me spend 8 weeks gaining research experience. It is unpaid. I am confused as to whether I need a Tier 5 visa because I will be doing "unpaid work" or whether I do not because the gov.uk website says that people participating in academic research do not need a visa?? I don't think I qualify for a student visa because I am not enrolling in the university .
visas uk study working-visas
asked Feb 8 '17 at 21:11
user57179user57179
211
1
UK considers unpaid work as work. What you are doing is essentially work and many people have gotten into serious trouble including deportation and entry refusal for similar situations. Your situation is ad hoc since you're not part of a program. I don't think you even qualify for Tier 5
– Honorary World Citizen
Feb 8 '17 at 21:15
The research I will be doing isn't part of my degree. So if it is then considered "work", I'll need a Tier 5 visa?
– user57179
Feb 8 '17 at 21:17
I am an undergraduate student, so I won't be on sabbatical leave, just summer break.
– user57179
Feb 8 '17 at 21:22
1
Is there any way you can operate remotely, and stay in the US? You could shift your hours so that you are awake on UK time, and do a lot of Skype, e-mail etc.
– Patricia Shanahan
Feb 9 '17 at 0:15
add a comment |
I am a US student planning to spend 8 weeks working in a university research lab in London during May and June 2017. I am not traveling through any study-abroad program. The primary investigator just agreed to let me spend 8 weeks gaining research experience. It is unpaid. I am confused as to whether I need a Tier 5 visa because I will be doing "unpaid work" or whether I do not because the gov.uk website says that people participating in academic research do not need a visa?? I don't think I qualify for a student visa because I am not enrolling in the university .
visas uk study working-visas
asked Feb 8 '17 at 21:11
user57179user57179
211
I am a US student planning to spend 8 weeks working in a university research lab in London during May and June 2017. I am not traveling through any study-abroad program. The primary investigator just agreed to let me spend 8 weeks gaining research experience. It is unpaid. I am confused as to whether I need a Tier 5 visa because I will be doing "unpaid work" or whether I do not because the gov.uk website says that people participating in academic research do not need a visa?? I don't think I qualify for a student visa because I am not enrolling in the university .
visas uk study working-visas
visas uk study working-visas
asked Feb 8 '17 at 21:11
user57179user57179
211
asked Feb 8 '17 at 21:11
user57179user57179
211
asked Feb 8 '17 at 21:11
user57179user57179
211
asked Feb 8 '17 at 21:11
user57179user57179
211
asked Feb 8 '17 at 21:11
user57179user57179
211
211
1
UK considers unpaid work as work. What you are doing is essentially work and many people have gotten into serious trouble including deportation and entry refusal for similar situations. Your situation is ad hoc since you're not part of a program. I don't think you even qualify for Tier 5
– Honorary World Citizen
Feb 8 '17 at 21:15
The research I will be doing isn't part of my degree. So if it is then considered "work", I'll need a Tier 5 visa?
– user57179
Feb 8 '17 at 21:17
I am an undergraduate student, so I won't be on sabbatical leave, just summer break.
– user57179
Feb 8 '17 at 21:22
1
Is there any way you can operate remotely, and stay in the US? You could shift your hours so that you are awake on UK time, and do a lot of Skype, e-mail etc.
– Patricia Shanahan
Feb 9 '17 at 0:15
add a comment |
1
UK considers unpaid work as work. What you are doing is essentially work and many people have gotten into serious trouble including deportation and entry refusal for similar situations. Your situation is ad hoc since you're not part of a program. I don't think you even qualify for Tier 5
– Honorary World Citizen
Feb 8 '17 at 21:15
The research I will be doing isn't part of my degree. So if it is then considered "work", I'll need a Tier 5 visa?
– user57179
Feb 8 '17 at 21:17
I am an undergraduate student, so I won't be on sabbatical leave, just summer break.
– user57179
Feb 8 '17 at 21:22
1
Is there any way you can operate remotely, and stay in the US? You could shift your hours so that you are awake on UK time, and do a lot of Skype, e-mail etc.
– Patricia Shanahan
Feb 9 '17 at 0:15
1
1
UK considers unpaid work as work. What you are doing is essentially work and many people have gotten into serious trouble including deportation and entry refusal for similar situations. Your situation is ad hoc since you're not part of a program. I don't think you even qualify for Tier 5
– Honorary World Citizen
Feb 8 '17 at 21:15
UK considers unpaid work as work. What you are doing is essentially work and many people have gotten into serious trouble including deportation and entry refusal for similar situations. Your situation is ad hoc since you're not part of a program. I don't think you even qualify for Tier 5
– Honorary World Citizen
Feb 8 '17 at 21:15
The research I will be doing isn't part of my degree. So if it is then considered "work", I'll need a Tier 5 visa?
– user57179
Feb 8 '17 at 21:17
The research I will be doing isn't part of my degree. So if it is then considered "work", I'll need a Tier 5 visa?
– user57179
Feb 8 '17 at 21:17
I am an undergraduate student, so I won't be on sabbatical leave, just summer break.
– user57179
Feb 8 '17 at 21:22
I am an undergraduate student, so I won't be on sabbatical leave, just summer break.
– user57179
Feb 8 '17 at 21:22
1
1
Is there any way you can operate remotely, and stay in the US? You could shift your hours so that you are awake on UK time, and do a lot of Skype, e-mail etc.
– Patricia Shanahan
Feb 9 '17 at 0:15
Is there any way you can operate remotely, and stay in the US? You could shift your hours so that you are awake on UK time, and do a lot of Skype, e-mail etc.
– Patricia Shanahan
Feb 9 '17 at 0:15
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
You want to spend some time (8 weeks) in a UK research lab, but not as part of any formal programme, to gain some research experience. You will not be paid.
What visa do I need?
You will need either a Tier 5 or Tier 2 visa. The activity you described is not covered in the permitted activities for the Standard Visitor Visa. The fact that you will not be paid is irrelevant and may even get the research lab in trouble for offering unpaid employment to an individual who is not an EU national. It's a hefty fine for them to take you on without having permission from the government to do so. So be careful not to let them get caught!
Having said all of that, our sister site, Expats, will be able to answer further questions about specifically what kind of T2 or T5 you need.
The primary investigator just agreed to let me spend 8 weeks gaining
research experience
Print out this answer and show it to the PI :)
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:50
Community♦
1
answered Feb 8 '17 at 21:31
Gayot FowGayot Fow
75.2k21197379
Yes he NEEDS a Tier 2 or 5 however under the scenario described, does he even qualify? From the little I glean, the professor is looking to do things informally not through the school and it would not appear he is a Licensed sponsor nor does the OP have the qualifications for a T2 visa.
– Honorary World Citizen
Feb 8 '17 at 21:39
add a comment |
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1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
You want to spend some time (8 weeks) in a UK research lab, but not as part of any formal programme, to gain some research experience. You will not be paid.
What visa do I need?
You will need either a Tier 5 or Tier 2 visa. The activity you described is not covered in the permitted activities for the Standard Visitor Visa. The fact that you will not be paid is irrelevant and may even get the research lab in trouble for offering unpaid employment to an individual who is not an EU national. It's a hefty fine for them to take you on without having permission from the government to do so. So be careful not to let them get caught!
Having said all of that, our sister site, Expats, will be able to answer further questions about specifically what kind of T2 or T5 you need.
The primary investigator just agreed to let me spend 8 weeks gaining
research experience
Print out this answer and show it to the PI :)
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:50
Community♦
1
answered Feb 8 '17 at 21:31
Gayot FowGayot Fow
75.2k21197379
Yes he NEEDS a Tier 2 or 5 however under the scenario described, does he even qualify? From the little I glean, the professor is looking to do things informally not through the school and it would not appear he is a Licensed sponsor nor does the OP have the qualifications for a T2 visa.
– Honorary World Citizen
Feb 8 '17 at 21:39
add a comment |
You want to spend some time (8 weeks) in a UK research lab, but not as part of any formal programme, to gain some research experience. You will not be paid.
What visa do I need?
You will need either a Tier 5 or Tier 2 visa. The activity you described is not covered in the permitted activities for the Standard Visitor Visa. The fact that you will not be paid is irrelevant and may even get the research lab in trouble for offering unpaid employment to an individual who is not an EU national. It's a hefty fine for them to take you on without having permission from the government to do so. So be careful not to let them get caught!
Having said all of that, our sister site, Expats, will be able to answer further questions about specifically what kind of T2 or T5 you need.
The primary investigator just agreed to let me spend 8 weeks gaining
research experience
Print out this answer and show it to the PI :)
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:50
Community♦
1
answered Feb 8 '17 at 21:31
Gayot FowGayot Fow
75.2k21197379
Yes he NEEDS a Tier 2 or 5 however under the scenario described, does he even qualify? From the little I glean, the professor is looking to do things informally not through the school and it would not appear he is a Licensed sponsor nor does the OP have the qualifications for a T2 visa.
– Honorary World Citizen
Feb 8 '17 at 21:39
add a comment |
You want to spend some time (8 weeks) in a UK research lab, but not as part of any formal programme, to gain some research experience. You will not be paid.
What visa do I need?
You will need either a Tier 5 or Tier 2 visa. The activity you described is not covered in the permitted activities for the Standard Visitor Visa. The fact that you will not be paid is irrelevant and may even get the research lab in trouble for offering unpaid employment to an individual who is not an EU national. It's a hefty fine for them to take you on without having permission from the government to do so. So be careful not to let them get caught!
Having said all of that, our sister site, Expats, will be able to answer further questions about specifically what kind of T2 or T5 you need.
The primary investigator just agreed to let me spend 8 weeks gaining
research experience
Print out this answer and show it to the PI :)
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:50
Community♦
1
answered Feb 8 '17 at 21:31
Gayot FowGayot Fow
75.2k21197379
You want to spend some time (8 weeks) in a UK research lab, but not as part of any formal programme, to gain some research experience. You will not be paid.
What visa do I need?
You will need either a Tier 5 or Tier 2 visa. The activity you described is not covered in the permitted activities for the Standard Visitor Visa. The fact that you will not be paid is irrelevant and may even get the research lab in trouble for offering unpaid employment to an individual who is not an EU national. It's a hefty fine for them to take you on without having permission from the government to do so. So be careful not to let them get caught!
Having said all of that, our sister site, Expats, will be able to answer further questions about specifically what kind of T2 or T5 you need.
The primary investigator just agreed to let me spend 8 weeks gaining
research experience
Print out this answer and show it to the PI :)
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:50
Community♦
1
answered Feb 8 '17 at 21:31
Gayot FowGayot Fow
75.2k21197379
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:50
Community♦
1
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:50
Community♦
1
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:50
Community♦
1
1
answered Feb 8 '17 at 21:31
Gayot FowGayot Fow
75.2k21197379
answered Feb 8 '17 at 21:31
Gayot FowGayot Fow
75.2k21197379
answered Feb 8 '17 at 21:31
Gayot FowGayot Fow
75.2k21197379
75.2k21197379
Yes he NEEDS a Tier 2 or 5 however under the scenario described, does he even qualify? From the little I glean, the professor is looking to do things informally not through the school and it would not appear he is a Licensed sponsor nor does the OP have the qualifications for a T2 visa.
– Honorary World Citizen
Feb 8 '17 at 21:39
add a comment |
Yes he NEEDS a Tier 2 or 5 however under the scenario described, does he even qualify? From the little I glean, the professor is looking to do things informally not through the school and it would not appear he is a Licensed sponsor nor does the OP have the qualifications for a T2 visa.
– Honorary World Citizen
Feb 8 '17 at 21:39
Yes he NEEDS a Tier 2 or 5 however under the scenario described, does he even qualify? From the little I glean, the professor is looking to do things informally not through the school and it would not appear he is a Licensed sponsor nor does the OP have the qualifications for a T2 visa.
– Honorary World Citizen
Feb 8 '17 at 21:39
Yes he NEEDS a Tier 2 or 5 however under the scenario described, does he even qualify? From the little I glean, the professor is looking to do things informally not through the school and it would not appear he is a Licensed sponsor nor does the OP have the qualifications for a T2 visa.
– Honorary World Citizen
Feb 8 '17 at 21:39
add a comment |
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1
UK considers unpaid work as work. What you are doing is essentially work and many people have gotten into serious trouble including deportation and entry refusal for similar situations. Your situation is ad hoc since you're not part of a program. I don't think you even qualify for Tier 5
– Honorary World Citizen
Feb 8 '17 at 21:15
The research I will be doing isn't part of my degree. So if it is then considered "work", I'll need a Tier 5 visa?
– user57179
Feb 8 '17 at 21:17
I am an undergraduate student, so I won't be on sabbatical leave, just summer break.
– user57179
Feb 8 '17 at 21:22
1
Is there any way you can operate remotely, and stay in the US? You could shift your hours so that you are awake on UK time, and do a lot of Skype, e-mail etc.
– Patricia Shanahan
Feb 9 '17 at 0:15