Immigration for non EU/EEA nationals (appointee guidance)

If you are not a national of an EU/EEA member state and do not have the right to work in the UK, in most cases it will be necessary for you to obtain right to work under the Tier 1 (Highly Skilled Migrant) or Tier 1 (post-study worker) categories.  In exceptional cases, the University may be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) under Tier 2 of the Points Based System (PBS).  Please see our Visa guidance pages for further details about the Tier 1 and Tier 2 categories.

If the University is issuing you a Certificate of Sponsorship

Once Human Resources receive the confirmation of your appointment we will contact you to begin the necessary arrangements for a CoS.

Your HR Business Partner will require receipt of the following documentation before a CoS can be issued:

  • your passport (if you are sending certified copies we need: the main passport page; any current UK visas and the front cover) and
  • your academic or professional qualifications (eg diplomas, PhD certificates, etc.)  We can also accept original transcripts, subject to them clearly showing the degree awarded and the date of completion.

A certified copy is one that includes a signed statement, either by the issuing authority or by a solicitor or notary, confirming that it is an accurate copy of the original document. In the UK the Post Office offers a certifying service.   Please do not send original documents through the post, as we cannot guarantee their safe transit. 

Any documents that we request to see that are not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. The translator's credentials should be provided, along with their official confirmation that the translation is accurate.

When the University sends you the CoS, you will need to arrange to make an application, along with the required documentation, for your visa.

You cannot start work until a CoS is issued and you have an appropriate visa.

Immigration advice

If you need to obtain immigration advice, the Law Society database can help you search for immigration advice around the world.