Information and Procedure for Inviting International Visitors engaging in academic activity

How to invite International Visitors engaging in academic activity

There is a standardised formal procedure in place across our College for all four Schools which must be followed. Please note this page will be updated with an updated process effective from September 2021.

This ensures compliance with current UK immigration law and allows our visitors to enter the UK and visit our University in the appropriate visa category with correct permissions to carry out certain activities (such as research, lecturing, teaching, examining, visiting etc.). Find out more

Please note: Should a visitor come to the University with incorrect visa permissions for the activity they wish to pursue, the University reserves the right to refuse the visitor from taking part in such activities.

Procedure

Staff members wishing to invite any international visitors to the College of Social Sciences should ensure they comply with the following:

  1. All School enquiries and requests regarding Visa Assessment for international visitors must be directed to their School nominee (listed below). All School communication with the International Students Team (IST) regarding international visitors should be directed to the School nominee.
  2. The School nominee will provide the relevant forms to the person who is inviting the visitor to complete.
  3. The School nominee will log the details of the request and forward the form and supporting documents to the IST.
  4. When a visa assessment has been made by the IST one of the following will happen:
  • The IST will confirm the visa category and attach the relevant invitation letter which will be forwarded to the School Nominee in order to obtain the Head of School’s signature. The School Nominee will then forward the invitation letter to the visitor for use when applying for permission to enter the UK.
  • The IST will confirm that it is a student route (either short term study visa or Student Route) and refer the application to Admissions, who will liaise with the School nominee to provide the correct invitation letter.
  • The IST will confirm that a Tier 5 visa is required and refer to HR Immigration Team, who will liaise with the School Nominee to provide the correct invitation letter.

Forms

 Business School

Contact

Eleni Mitsiopoulou
Tel. Number: (0121) 414 9674
Email address: bbs-hr@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Please contact your School nominee to action a request to invite an international visitor from outside the UK.

For further information and questions on inviting international academic visitors, please visit the School’s Intranet page or talk to your School nominee, see above for details.

 School of Education

Contacts

Gina Davies, Compliance, School Hub
Email address: compliance-soe@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Please contact your School nominee to action a request to invite an international visitor from outside the UK.

For further information and questions on inviting international academic visitors to the School of Education, please visit the following page, Visiting Scholars

 School of Government

Contacts

Guvinder Kaur Rajania
Tel. Number: (0121)  4148227
Email address:   g.rajania@bham.ac.uk

Deputy School Nominee: Inderdeep Shambi
Tel. Number: (0121)
Email address: 

Please contact your School nominee to action a request to invite an international visitor from outside the UK.

For further information and questions on inviting international academic visitors, please talk to your School nominee, see above for details.

 School of Social Policy

Contacts

General inquiries: spvisitingresearchers@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Guvinder Kaur Rajana

Visa Compliance Officer
Email: g.rajania@bham.ac.uk 

Helen Harris
Visa Compliance Administrator
Email: h.m.a.harris@bham.ac.uk

Please contact your School nominee to action a request to invite an international visitor from outside the UK.

For further information and questions on inviting international academic visitors, please visit the following pages:

Visiting researchers

College Contact

David Allsop
Tel: ext 58559
Email address: d.a.allsop@bham.ac.uk

Colleges

Professional Services