Council Tax for short term American PhD student

I am hoping that someone might be able to help me with this question.

I have been in the UK on my passport (since it is less than 6 months) since October and I return to the US in March.  I am here to conduct research related to my PhD, but I am not an official UK student.  I am on formal research related leave from my program in the US, but I am still an active student there.

Do I need to pay Council tax?  I have not received a bill, and I had not heard of it until about a week ago.  I read on the website, that International students who can prove their permanent residence elsewhere are not liable.

I will call the council and ask myself, but I thought that some fellow researchers might have info that would help me.

Thank you!

Slight conflict there - you can't be a full time student on a visit visa.

I doubt there is a problem, as you are really only visiting.


Vicky

If you're here under the auspices of a temporary stint at a UK university while you conduct your research, that university should be able to give you an exemption letter.

If you're here on your own and you just happen to be doing research while here, you might run into some trouble. The council might see you as a visitor, not as a student, since you aren't enrolled in a UK programme.