Inviting visitors to the UK

You may want to invite family or friends to visit you in the UK whilst you are studying at Southampton.

Check if they need a UK visa on: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

If your visitor doesn't need a visa, they may need electronic travel authorisation (ETA) before they travel to the UK. Check if your visitor needs an ETA on: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

Some visitors can scan their passport at an eGate at the UK border instead of visiting an immigration officer. Check who can use eGates on: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coming-to-the-uk/faster-travel-through-the-uk-border#use-the-egates-for-quicker-entry

If you are an exchange or study abroad student coming to Southampton for less than 6 months, visit our page about making a short study visit to the University: https://southampton.likn.co/studentservices/visa-and-immigration/applying-for-your-visa/short-visit.page

How can I help my visitor apply for a Visitor visa?

Your visitor must be able to show that:

• they will leave the UK at the end of their visit
• they can support themselves during the trip (or have funding from someone else to support them)
• they are able to pay for their return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)
• they will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK their main home.

Evidence you could provide your visitor to support their Visitor visa application:

• images of your passport and UK visa or immigration permission
• a proof of enrolment letter for your study at Southampton
• evidence of the relationship between you and the visitor, for example an image of your birth certificate if they are your parent. You should not include personal photographs.
• evidence of the reason for their visit, for example, a letter of invitation to attend your graduation
• a letter of invitation from you explaining the reason for your visitor's trip. You can find a template letter in the Useful Downloads section at the bottom of this page but note this is only a template and you must adjust it to include your information and details.

Additional evidence you could provide if you are funding your visitor's travel, maintenance or accommodation for their trip:

• what support you will be providing
• how this support will be provided
• evidence you have enough funds to support yourself and your Dependents in addition to funding the visitor’s trip

The University Visa and Immigration Student Advice Service don't offer advice about applications for visitors. If your visitor needs advice, they can find an immigration advisor external to the University on: https://www.gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser

Please note: The University of Southampton cannot accept responsibility for the content of external websites.

Useful Internal Links