New Visitor Policy and Procedure

04 Apr 2019

The University has recently reviewed its arrangements for visitors to the University in order to ensure that we adopt a consistent approach and meet our legal requirements

Our University welcomes many academic and professional colleagues who are not employees, but who make a significant contribution to our teaching, research, enterprise and professional service activities, as well as introducing new ideas and capabilities. 

Visitors can be categorised as either a staff visitor or student visitor, depending on the circumstances and it is important that we get this categorisation right. This new, standard policy provides advice and guidance and sets out our approach to dealing with visitors to the University.  

We have made these changes to make it easier for our colleagues to find the correct categories for visitors and make the process clearer.

This policy and procedure applies to visitors to our University with or without a home institution, who are visiting or conducting research here. 

The policy has been developed to ensure that visitors who require a visa to visit the UK receive the correct type of invitation and apply for the correct type of immigration leave, ensuring consistency in the invitation and service provision to our visitors.

The policy also provides detail on roles and responsibilities, visa types and relevant processes.  We have also updated our standard visitor application form and invitation letters.  

This policy and procedure is effective immediately and replaces all previous processes. Applications for visitor status can only be accepted if they use the standard application form and include all required documentation and approvals. You can find more information on visitor arrangements on StaffNet.   

This policy will be subject to continuous review and any amendments will be communicated to all relevant parties. Please cascade to any colleagues who may welcome visitors to the University.

Karen Heaton

Director of Human Resources