Visitor procedure and application form

Guidance and Procedure for Visitors to the Department

You must complete a visitor form for any person visiting the Department for more than one whole day, for any reason. The Head of Department maintains a register of visitor forms for insurance and immigration purposes.  Any person coming to the Department for a shorter period (e.g. for a meeting) should sign in at reception. 

We need to receive notification of a visitor a minimum of two weeks before the person arrives in the Department for standard visitors who require no additional paperwork, e.g. visa support letters etc.  Much longer is required for international visitors who may need additional letters of support or Certificates of Sponsorship arranged, and please note that currently there are long delays with ATAS and visa approvals.

Important information for International Visitors:

Language: Visiting International students should provide evidence of suitable English language ability equivalent to the requirements asked of incoming postgraduate students:  See here: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvvtmpvet/requirements.  

ATAS approval: Visiting students and researchers from certain countries need to obtain an ATAS certificate before beginning any relevant research activity in the UK.  More information here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-out-if-you-require-an-atas-certificate - please note ATAS approvals do take time.

Visiting International Students: must supply a letter from their home institution confirming they are enrolled on a course equivalent to degree leve and that the visit forms part of their degree overseas.  If visiting for more than 6 months, they will need a student visa and additional steps will be required as the University is the sponsor for this visa type. The maximum duration of visit allowed for visiting student is 1 year.

Note on standard Visa route: please note that International visitors (including EU visitors) coming to undertake work experience/externships are not permitted to do this on the standard visitor route, but will need to apply for a Governement Authorised Exchange (GAE) Visa which will take more time to arrange and requires a certificate of sponsorship.   If the purpose of the visit is to do a short piece of research or an elective, then the terms 'work experience' or 'externship' should not appear in any paperwork.   

For more information on visas please see here: Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK

Procedure:
1.      Download the appropriate application form from here, complete the activities section clearly explaining the reason for your visit.


2.      Send the completed application to researchadmin@vet.cam.ac.uk (for Research Visitors) or owmf2@cam.ac.uk (for Hospital/Farm Visitors)

3.      Remember to attach the following documents:

  • Photo of the visitor
  • Copy of personal details page of passport
  • CV
  • Description of activities to be carried out during the visit
  • MRCVS registration number if applicable
  • Language certificate where required (see above for visiting international students).
  • Letter from home institution where appropriate (see above for visiting international students).

Only when all documents have been received will a visitor agreement followed by any required visa support letters be issued.

The visitor and a representative of their home institution must sign the visitor agreement before they can begin their visit.