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:

  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Croatia
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Republic of Korea
  • Romania
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • United States of America


2. Visa Application Type

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

  • Skilled Worker visa including:
    • Current Skilled Worker/Tier 2 visa holders extending their visa
    • Current Skilled Worker/Tier 2 visa holders changing their research activity/area
    • New applicants for a Skilled Worker visa
  • Temporary Worker – Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) visa including:
    • Current Temporary Worker (GAE) visa holders extending their visa
    • Current Temporary Worker (GAE) visa holders changing their research activity/area
    • New applicants for a Temporary Worker (GAE) visa
  • Standard Visitor visa, specifically:
    • Visitors to the University who are undertaking research on a Standard Visitor visa

 

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:

  • 2111 Chemical scientists
  • 2112 Biological scientists
  • 2113 Biochemists and biomedical scientists
  • 2114 Physical scientists
  • 2115 Social and humanities scientists
  • 2119 Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified
  • 2122 Mechanical engineers
  • 2123 Electrical engineers
  • 2124 Electronics engineers
  • 2125 Production and process engineers
  • 2126 Aerospace engineers
  • 2127 Engineering project managers and project engineers
  • 2129 Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified
  • 2161 Research and development (R&D) managers
  • 2162 Other researchers, unspecified discipline
  • 2311 Higher education teaching professionals
  • 3111 Laboratory technicians
  • 3112 Electrical and electronics technicians
  • 3113 Engineering technicians
  • 3114 Building and civil engineering technicians
  • 5234 Aircraft maintenance and related trades

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:

  • gathering information and facts for a specific project which directly relates to your employment overseas, or to support independent research
  • taking part in formal exchange arrangements with UK counterparts
  • carrying out research for your own purposes or as a group

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:

  • Subjects allied to Medicine:
    • CAH02-02-01 - Pharmacology
    • CAH02-02-02 - Toxicology
    • CAH02-02-03 - Pharmacy
    • CAH10-01-06 - Bioengineering, Medical and Biomedical Engineering

  • Biological Sciences:
    • CAH03-01-02 - Biology (non-specific)
    • CAH03-01-03 - Ecology and Environmental Biology
    • CAH03-01-06 - Zoology
    • CAH03-01-04 - Microbiology and Cell Science
    • CAH03-01-05 - Plant Sciences
    • CAH10-03-05 - Biotechnology
    • CAH03-01-07 - Genetics
    • CAH02-05-03 - Biomedical Sciences (non-specific)
    • CAH03-01-08 - Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry
    • CAH03-01-01 - Biosciences (non-specific)
    • CAH03-01-10 - Others in Biological Sciences

  • Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture and related subjects:
    • CAH05-01-02 - Others in Veterinary Sciences
    • CAH06-01-02 - Agricultural sciences

  • Physical Sciences:
    • CAH07-02-01 - Chemistry
    • CAH10-03-07 - Materials Science
    • CAH07-01-01 - Physics
    • CAH07-01-02 - Astronomy
    • CAH26-01-05 - Others in Geographical Studies
    • CAH07-04-01 - Physical Sciences (non-specific)
    • CAH07-04-03 - Sciences (non-specific)
    • CAH07-04-04 - Natural Sciences (non-specific)

  • Mathematical and Computer Sciences:
    • CAH09-01-01 - Mathematics
    • CAH09-01-02 - Operational Research
    • CAH11-01-01 - Computer Science
    • CAH11-01-02 - Information Technology
    • CAH11-01-03 - Information Systems
    • CAH11-01-04 - Software Engineering
    • CAH11-01-05 - Artificial Intelligence

  • Engineering:
    • CAH10-01-01 - Engineering (non-specific)
    • CAH10-01-07 - Civil Engineering
    • CAH10-01-02 - Mechanical Engineering
    • CAH10-01-04 - Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
    • CAH10-01-05 - Naval Architecture
    • CAH10-01-08 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering
    • CAH10-01-09 - Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering

  • Technologies:
    • CAH10-03-03 - Polymers and Textiles
    • CAH10-03-01 - Minerals Technology
    • CAH10-03-02 - Materials Technology
    • CAH10-03-04 - Maritime Technology


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.