Who needs an ATAS certificate?

Who needs an ATAS certificate?


An ATAS certificate will be required if all the following criteria are met:


1. Nationality

You are not a national of one of the following countries:


2. Visa Application Type

You are entering the UK or extending your permission to stay in one of the following categories:

 

3. Role Level

You will be carrying out research at PhD level or above.  This includes roles which have an element of research within them, it is not just limited to research roles.

 

4. Role Type

For Skilled Workers/Temporary Worker (GAE) Visa holders, roles within the following Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) codes are covered by the ATAS requirement:

Our ‘usual’ codes are 2119 or 2162 for research roles and 2311 for teaching roles. 

For Standard Visitor visas, if you are a researcher on a Standard visitor visa attending meetings, conferences, seminars or interviews, or giving speeches, and will not be undertaking research during your time in the UK, you do not need to apply for ATAS clearance.

If you’re a researcher on a standard visitor visa undertaking science and academic activities, including:

You must apply for an ATAS certificate, if engaged in an ATAS categorised sensitive subject.

 

5. Subject Area

Your area of research falls within one of the following Common Aggregation Hierarchy (CAH3) codes:


The department where the employee/visitor will be placed is responsible for providing a statement of Research to the applicant to enable an ATAS application to be submitted.  

The details entered onto the application form will be replicated on the ATAS certificate therefore care should be taken to ensure the information is correct.  The form must be completed in English, including names of any overseas education/employer institutions.

Skilled Worker Visa and Temporary Worker (GAE) visa applicants must provide an ATAS certificate before a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) can be assigned to you. 

Standard Visitor visa applicants do not need to have their ATAS certificate in place at the time of applying, however, Schools must see and check the visitor’s ATAS certificate prior to the visit commencing to ensure the details are correct and match those stated above.

Please note:  Failure to obtain the ATAS certificate will stop the visit from being able to commence and visitors will not be permitted on-site.  It is therefore strongly recommended that Standard Visitor visa applicants apply for and obtain the ATAS certificate before travelling to the UK.