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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:

You do not need an ATAS certificate If you are a dual national or dual citizen and one of your nationalities/citizenships is for an exempt country listed above.

However, you must have a valid passport from an exempt country listed above and a valid UK visa linked to it. This may show directly in your passport or online if you have an eVisa. 


2. Visa Application Type

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

 

Student visa holders must obtain an ATAS certificate before employment commences where they will be undertaking employment as a researcher involving postgraduate-level research (including master's and doctoral level) in a relevant subject area.

 

3. Role Level

 

An ATAS certificate may be required where an individual is undertaking research in a relevant subject area, depending on their immigration route and the level of research involved.
  • Skilled Worker visa holders: an ATAS certificate is required where the role includes an element of research at PhD level or above.
  • Student visa holders undertaking research employment: an ATAS certificate may be required where the employment involves undertaking research at postgraduate level (including master’s and doctoral level).
  • Visitors: an ATAS certificate may be required where research undertaken during the visit is at postgraduate level (including master’s and doctoral level) or above.

This requirement applies to any role that includes 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.