While contracts of employment require staff to work in the UK, the University recognises that, in some circumstances, overseas working can support academic activity and strategic priorities, including the University’s global engagement.

Each jurisdiction will have their own unique national, and potentially federal, laws and regulations covering foreign nationals, employment, tax and social security. Additionally, many jurisdictions have bilateral taxation treaties with the UK that have to be considered.

This means overseas working can give rise to complex legal, tax, regulatory, and compliance requirements for both the individual and the University. The 60‑day threshold is used to identify when overseas working may create legal, tax, and regulatory obligations for the University and the employee due to the time spent in that country. This procedure provides a clear framework to ensure such arrangements are appropriate, well managed, and compliant with overseas regulations.

Staff are required to follow this procedure where overseas working in a single country will be for 60 calendar days or more in a rolling 12‑month period, and in all cases where a UK sponsored visa is held. Early engagement and approval are essential to allow risks, costs, and obligations to be properly assessed before any overseas working takes place.

Employees must submit an overseas working request under the Overseas Working Procedure at least 90 days in advance of any planned overseas work.

This procedure does not apply to employees based at, or working through, a University Transnational Education (TNE) Joint Institute overseas. Separate arrangements and approval processes apply to these staff members.

Key points to be aware of:

• The 60 days are cumulative, not continuous
• All time spent in the country counts, including:
  
  • working days
  • weekends
  • annual leave
  • personal travel taken during the same period
• The calculation applies per country, over a rolling 12‑month period
• Business and personal overseas travel are counted together
• Employees holding a UK sponsored visa must submit a request regardless of duration

Where time spent overseas is for less than 60 days in a single country, you should follow the Short-Term Overseas Working Procedure. Staff and line managers must still ensure that any overseas working is lawful, safe, and compliant with University guidance.