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Please note that the University of Surrey is not authorized to provide official advice to the meeting attendees on visa issues.

Attendees should read all the information on the UK Border Agency (UKBA) website very closely and should contact the UKBA or the British Embassies in their countries for more information about their individual circumstances. 

The best place for attendees to start to determine on whether or not you need a visa to come to the UK to attend the conference is on the UK Border Agency website: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/do-you-need-a-visa/ 

Conference attendees should select "visit” from the options on the first drop down menu as long as you are not doing any work (paid or unpaid for an employer in the UK) or formal study with an institution whilst you are in the UK. Having selected this option and the intention to come to the UK solely to attend the conference, it will most likely direct you to come to the UK as Business Visitors: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/business/business-activities/ 

See section entitled Other business persons: "Other business persons: You can also apply to come to the UK as a business visitor if you intend to carry out any of the following 'permitted activities' here:  "attending meetings (including interviews that have been arranged before you come to the UK) or conferences”

Non-visa Nationals:

From non-visa national countries will not need a visa to attend the conference in the UK as long as they are not doing any work (paid or unpaid for an employer in the UK) or formal study with an institution during their visit to the UK and as long as they are coming for less than 6 months.  You will just need to declare at the border why you are coming to the UK upon arrival.  Please see the following link:  http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/general-info/non-visa-nationals/

Visa Nationals:

From visa national countries will need a visa to enter the UK and attend the conference. A list of visa national countries for the UK can be found here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/policyandlaw/immigrationlaw/immigrationrules/appendix1/ 

For more information on entering the UK and advice on applying for visas to visit the UK, visit: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/

PLEASE NOTE THAT:

Invitation letters will only be sent to those who have registered and paid.  Those requiring such a letter of support must indicate this on their registration forms, where they should also provide details of their passport number and nationality. These letters will only be sent to individuals, and will not be sent to anyone who has not registered for the meeting.  Unsolicited requests for invitation letters will not be answered.