As a recruiting manager, when you are advertising a vacancy you will need to set a realistic start date for an applicant to work in the UK. Typically, non-UK/Irish applicants who don't have an existing right to work in the UK and who apply for academic or research roles are likely to need a Skilled Worker visa, so the broad timings outlined here should be followed. You should also take into account if an applicant is likely to need an ATAS certificate and their travel or relocation plans.
These timeframes are based on the worst case scenario and we will aim to shorten timeframes where possible. Other non-sponsorable visas may allow for work in the UK such as the Global Talent visa and have the benefit of faster processing times. These should also be considered where possible and where the applicant meets the eligibility criteria.
Overview
| Process | No. of days/weeks (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 1. Advertise (the minimum advertising period should be 1 week to take into account the redeployment process, however, you don't need to advertise for a minimum of 28 days+ now for visa purposes unless you would like to) | 2 weeks |
| 2. Shortlist and send invites out the following week | 1 week |
| 3. Interview and choose successful applicant, offer and get in place all documents necessary for Staff Immigration Team (SIT) to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) if applicable | 1 week |
| 4. ATAS certificate - may be required. Applicant will need to apply for their certificate before a CoS can be assigned | 10-20* days |
| 5. Assign CoS - timing of this will depend on where the visa applicant is applying from | 1 week |
| 6. Applicant applies for their visa (timings of this will depend on the individual and how efficient they are and Visa Application Centres running normally) | 1 week |
| 7. Once the applicant has applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents (they may also need to sit an English language test so the timings of this should be factored in), they'll usually get a decision** on their visa within: | 3 weeks, if they're outside the UK or 8 weeks, if they're inside the UK |
| 8. Applicant will need their vignette/BRP before they can start work | |
| TOTAL | 10/11 to 17 weeks |
* ATAS applications may take at least 20 working days (4 full weeks) to process. If an applicant applies between April and September, it may take at least 30 working days to complete the process. You will need to factor in these timings if an applicant needs an ATAS certificate.
** If an applicant needs to attend a visa appointment, they may be able to pay for a faster decision.
Please note: once a start and end date have been stated on a CoS, it’s difficult for these dates to be changed later in the process. Only in exceptional cases and where UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) permits can dates be varied. You will need to check on the flexibility of your grant (if applicable) to see whether you can vary the dates prior to the SIT assigning a CoS to an applicant. This will also help to prevent short-term extensions at the end of a grant which are costly to both the individual and University. Your HR Recruitment Co-ordinator would need to be notified in advance of any potential changes so that they can be reported to UKVI within the strict timeframes.