Our Aims and Objectives
We are the UK association for all those who research, study and teach global development issues
Find Out MoreIf you need a visa invitation letter from the SOAS University of London, please complete this form.
Who needs a visa to enter the UK?
London is in the United Kingdom, so UK visa rules apply to enter for the purposes of the conference. The UK government website has a useful tool to check if you need a visa.
EU nationals residing in the UK with “settled status” leave to remain do not need to apply for a visa, or provide documentation on the border.
USA, EU, EEA, Swiss nationals, along with several commonwealth countries, do not need a visa to enter the UK. However, you may still be asked to provide some documentation at the border.
Documents for Visa-Free Countries
On arrival, you may be asked to prove:
This is essentially the same information that you would need for applying to a visa, but you will not need to make an application, rather you will be asked to present these documents at the border.
You will need to see a Border Force officer – do not use the automatic ePassport gates.
Electronic visa waiver to enter the UK
You can apply for a visa waiver if you are a national of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar or the United Arab Emirates. You must pay £30 for an EVW. You will need the following documents:
You will need to apply online between 3 months and 48 hours prior to arrival in London.
The Standard Visitor UK Visa is the most appropriate for the purposes of attending the conference.
There is a list of steps you will need to complete in order to obtain your visa to enter for the duration of the conference. It is a good idea to do this in good time, to allow time for waiting times, and the possibility of delays as the conference is happening at the height of the tourist period, or complications caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
Two passport-size (35×45 mm) photographs in colour, against a white background, no older than six months. Additional requirements are listed here.
We can provide you with a letter inviting you to the conference, outlining your role at the conference and, if applicable, any costs that were funded for you to attend. Fill out the visa data from to get your visa invitation letter.
It may be helpful to also obtain a letter from your home institution with similar details.
In order to prove that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit.
Hotel or Hostel booking confirmations.
Bear in mind you do not have to provide all of the documents below, just those that apply to you.
You will need to show a legal document showing your relationship with the child – such as birth certificate or adoption papers.
It may help to provide other supporting documentation, additional paperwork such as details of previous conferences attended, – titles of papers and dates, locations of conferences – details of any awards you have received, details of publications in your name.
The UK has specific rules around official document translations:
If you submit a document that is not in English or Welsh, it must be accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified by the Home Office. Each translation must contain:
You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa online before you travel to the UK. You will then need to schedule an appointment at a visa application centre with all the relevant documentation and a copy of your application form.
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before. We recommend you apply at least 30 days before you travel, allowing time for any delays caused by various factors, such as the tourist high season, the pandemic, the war in the Ukraine.
The standard visitor visa costs £115 (134.78 EUR)
You will typically have to wait up to 3 weeks to receive a decision on your application for a UK short-term visa
From 4am on Friday 18 March 2022, you do not need to take any COVID-19 tests or fill in a passenger locator form when travelling to the UK from abroad. These changes apply whether you are fully vaccinated or not.
However, we advise to keep an eye on developments as things are always changing. You can stay up-to-date with covid news in the UK here.
You may need to take a Tuberculosis test within 6 months before travelling to the UK. Here is a list of countries the UK requires this from.
Although the “Golden Visa” scheme was abolished in 2022, there is no ban on Russian federation tourists in the UK, nor does it seem to be a likely future. You will need to apply for a standard visitor visa in the same way as any other delegate from outside of the exempt territories.