Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) – for international researchers
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) – for international researchers
The UK government considers there to be a significant threat to the UK’s national and border security, and expanded ATAS to include international researchers to protect UK research from exploitation and ensure that HEIs do not inadvertently support foreign military programmes of concern. On 29 January 2021, the government outlined concerns and reasons for expansion in a letter and FAQ's (pdf) from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
From 21 May 2021, any individual who will be undertaking research activities, at PhD level or above, in one of the (the same as for students) is required to apply for government clearance by obtaining a free of charge ATAS certificate before they can apply for a visa to start or continue working in the UK. If they do not include an ATAS certificate with their application, the application may be rejected.
The ATAS employment requirement currently applies to:
- Research, academic, engineering, and technical staff applying for Skilled Worker visa
- Sponsored Researchers applying for Government Authorised Exchange visa
- Applicants or holders of High Potential Individual Visa
- Visiting / honorary academics and researchers entering under Standard Visitor
Exemptions apply to nationals from:
- UK/Ireland,
- all European Economic Area (EEA) countries,
- Australia,
- Canada,
- Japan,
- New Zealand,
- Singapore,
- South Korea,
- Switzerland, and
- USA,
- those applying for or holding other exempt visa types, e.g. Global Talent Visa, Graduate visa.
Please note that although holders/applicants of other visas may be exempt from the ATAS requirement for employment, if they are also studying in the UK, there may still be an ATAS-study requirement/condition. Additionally, if study and employment are interlinked / require the same start date, ATAS processing can cause delays to the start of employment, even where it is not a requirement for work/research.
FCDO have clarified that short-term extensions of less than 3 months do not require a new ATAS application/certificate. However, visits of less than 3 months will still require ATAS certificate.
More information on the ATAS requirements and application process is available in our ATAS Application FAQs (PDF).
The ATAS requirement significantly affects the university’s recruitment, employment changes, visa extensions, and engagement of sponsored researchers and visiting academics and researchers.
Following discussions with colleagues in People Function and Research Serv we developed ATAS Process Guidance (PDF) outlining the actions required of departments, individuals, and People Function/Staff Compliance teams, along with approximate timeframes.
As the Staff Immigration team must confirm on a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) whether the ATAS requirement applies, the department will be asked to answer specific questions to determine whether ATAS is required, as indicated in our process guidance and/or upon request.
Where an ATAS certificate is required, the department will also need to provide a research statement, 6-7 lines in length, summarising the research activities the individual will undertake, and information relating to the funder for the research. The individual will need to submit this information when they apply for their ATAS certificate.
The Staff Immigration team will direct individuals to submit an ATAS certificate application and check for evidence that this has been granted, before assigning a CoS.
It is recommended that individuals submitting an initial or extension visa application apply for a ATAS certificate as early as possible.
Individuals can apply for an ATAS certificate in advance; certificates are valid for 6 months. Applications will typically be processed within 6 weeks to 3 months, but processing may take longer, especially between April and September. There are no fast-track options available. If the ATAS application has taken over 4 months, please flag it with the Staff Compliance Team.