Recruiting international staff

Who may need a visa 

Applicants may already have the right to work in the UK, if they have one of the following:  

• EU Settled Status 
• British National Overseas (BNO)
• Dependent/Spouse visa 
• Indefinite leave to remain 
• UK Ancestry 
• Student/graduate route visa (Note that student visas carry work restrictions which must be strictly adhered to) 

Main work visa routes used by the University 

For applicants who do not already have the right to work in the UK there are two main types of visas which permit work in the UK:  

• Global Talent Visa - For academics with responsibility for academic or research leadership and development or lecturers and researchers where research activity is a primary/significant function of the role. 
• Skilled Worker Visa - Allows an individual to work for the University in a sponsored role, provided the role is eligible and meets the skill and salary threshold.   

Global Talent Visa  

This route is used for individuals in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, social science, and humanities who are already recognised as a leader in their field of expertise (exceptional talent). It is also used by early career individuals who have demonstrated potential to be a leader in their field (exceptional promise).   

There are four main routes to apply:  

• Academic and Research - for individuals with responsibility either for academic, research or innovation leadership and development (Professors, Associate Professors and individuals who undertake significant research activity as a primary function of their role), Senior Research Fellows, Postdoctoral Research Fellows.
• Fellowships  - for individuals awarded a fellowship within the last 5 years from the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Society. A full list of approved fellowships can be found here.  
• Endorsed Funders - for researchers and specialists whose name or job title is specified in a grant application from an endorsed funder approved by the UKRI. A full list of endorsed funders can be found here. In addition, the funding must be at least £30,000 and have been awarded for a minimum of 2 years. The contract of employment must be at least one year minimum.
• Peer Review  - Applicants must demonstrate exceptional talent (leader in their field) or exceptional promise (emerging leader) and provide evidence for a full peer review by the relevant endorsing body - the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering or Royal Society. 

 The HR Immigration Team will be able to advise on the process for each route.

Skilled Worker Visa     

Key criteria are as follows: 

• Not all posts are eligible for sponsorship
• Job needs to be skilled to degree level and above
• Absolute minimum salary threshold is £33,400
• Must meet the higher of the general salary threshold £41,700 or the job specific threshold
• Possible to pay less than highest threshold by using tradeable characteristics (see below) 
• Lower transitional salary thresholds may apply to existing skilled worker visa holders 

Most Skilled Worker eligibility issues arise from salary not meeting the correct threshold - always check with the recruitment team before offering. 

The recruitment team will check and confirm an applicant's eligibility for this visa, with support from the HR Immigration Team, if required. They will also confirm if ATAS is required.  

 *The new entrant rate cannot be applied if the total time, including time on a graduate or skilled worker visa, will exceed 4 years. 

Students and graduates  

Student and graduate route visa holders with a job offer will be able to switch visa category in the UK to either the Global Talent Visa or the Skilled Worker visa, providing they meet the criteria outlined above. If the current visa expires before the contract of employment is due to end, it is worth checking at offer stage if a work visa can be obtained, to help manage expectations. 

Student visa holders may be able to start work on their visa, in line with the work restrictions of this visa, provided they are not offered a permanent contract. The recruitment team will assess the individual's circumstances and advise them.

Timescales – what to expect 

As a guide, visa processes frequently take 6–12+ weeks, particularly if ATAS clearance is required. 

Please set a realistic start date which allows the individual to apply and obtain the visa before making plans to travel to the UK, if applicable.  

Costs 

Under the terms of the University visa reimbursement scheme, applicants will be able to claim the cost of their visa and the immigration health surcharge. This will be charged to the central faculty budget or the service budget. Skilled worker visas incur additional costs as follows: 

Certificate of Sponsorship - £529 

Immigration Skills charge - £480 per year, applicable to a small number of roles (not Researcher or Lecturer) 

Note that priority fees cannot be claimed through the scheme or via staff expenses.