Is an ATAS certificate required?
From 21 May 2021, relevant international researchers applying for permission to enter or stay in the UK under the Skilled Worker, Government Authorised Exchange (Temporary Work) (GAE) or Visitor immigration routes must apply for an ATAS certificate. The ATAS requirement only applies to certain nationalities, and in certain roles and research fields where the UK government considers that individuals’ knowledge could be used in programmes to develop Advanced Conventional Military Technology (ACMT) or weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) or their means of delivery, research which could result in the Intangible Transfer of Technology (ITT) to WMD and ACMT programmes of concern and any activity which may be “against the UK’s national interests”.
The following information is also available as a downloadable quick reference flowchart.
Please also see our guidance on completing the ATAS application form and our FAQs.
The criteria to assess whether an ATAS certificate is required are as follows (all four must be met for there to be ATAS liability):
All new and existing members of staff* who are applying for one of the following routes:
-
Skilled Worker
-
Government Authorised Exchange visa (Temporary Work)
-
Standard/Academic Visitor
No other visa routes are currently in scope for ATAS.
*note: all time-limited visas require ATAS clearance if the person is studying for an ATAS-relevant (see step 4) qualification in the UK.
If the individual is applying for one of these visa types, go to step 2.
If they are not, ATAS clearance is not required.
Nationals of the following countries are exempt from the ATAS requirement:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States of America.
If the person's nationality is on the list above, ATAS clearance is not required.
If it is not, go to step 3.
For Skilled Worker and GAE visa applicants, roles defined by the following SOC Codes are in scope:
- 2111 – 2119 & 2162 (encompassing all postdoctoral research positions, including Research Assistants)
The following roles are also in scope, but only where the individual will undertake research at a PhD level as part of the role:
Managerial
- 2161 (formerly 2150) Research and development managers
Teaching
- 2311 Higher education teaching professionals
Technicians
- 3111 Laboratory technicians
For visitors to the University, where applying for a Standard Visitor visa (business or academic category), the following activities are in scope for ATAS:
- Collaborating, gathering information and facts, or conducting research, either for a specific project which directly relates to employment overseas, or independently;
- Carrying out research for their own purposes, if they are on sabbatical leave from their home institution;
- Taking part in formal exchange arrangements with UK counterparts (including doctors) where research in an ATAS-liable research field (see step 4) will take place.
ATAS is not required, for example, for visitors attending conferences, meetings, interviews, workshops etc.
If the job is within one of the above SOC codes, or if the visitor will be carrying out any of the listed activities, go to step 4.
If not, ATAS clearance is not required.
The field/programme of research must be classified under one or more of the following CAH3 codes:
|
Subject |
CAH3 Code |
|
Biological Sciences |
|
|
Biology (Non-specific) |
CAH03-01-02 |
|
Biomedical Sciences (Non-specific) |
CAH02-05-03 |
|
Biosciences (Non-specific) |
CAH03-01-01 |
|
Biotechnology |
CAH10-03-05 |
|
Ecology and Environmental Biology |
CAH03-01-03 |
|
Genetics |
CAH03-01-07 |
|
Microbiology and Cell Science |
CAH03-01-04 |
|
Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry |
CAH03-01-08 |
|
Plant Sciences |
CAH03-01-05 |
|
Zoology |
CAH03-01-06 |
|
Others in Biological Sciences |
CAH03-01-10 |
|
Engineering |
|
|
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering |
CAH10-01-04 |
|
Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering |
CAH10-01-09 |
|
Civil Engineering |
CAH10-01-07 |
|
Electronic and Electrical Engineering |
CAH10-01-08 |
|
Engineering (Non-specific) |
CAH10-01-01 |
|
Mechanical Engineering |
CAH10-01-02 |
|
Naval Architecture |
CAH10-01-05 |
|
Mathematics and Computer Sciences |
|
|
Artificial Intelligence |
CAH11-01-05 |
|
Computer Science |
CAH11-01-01 |
|
Information Systems |
CAH11-01-03 |
|
Information Technology |
CAH11-01-02 |
|
Mathematics |
CAH09-01-01 |
|
Operational Research |
CAH09-01-02 |
|
Software Engineering |
CAH11-01-04 |
|
Medicine |
|
|
Bioengineering, Medical and Biomedical Engineering |
CAH10-01-06 |
|
Pharmacology |
CAH02-02-01 |
|
Pharmacy |
CAH02-02-03 |
|
Toxicology |
CAH02-02-02 |
|
Physical Sciences |
|
|
Astronomy |
CAH07-01-02 |
|
Chemistry |
CAH07-02-01 |
|
Materials Science |
CAH10-03-07 |
|
Natural Sciences (Non-specific) |
CAH07-04-04 |
|
Others in Geographical Studies |
CAH26-01-05 |
|
Physical Sciences (Non-specific) |
CAH07-04-01 |
|
Physics |
CAH07-01-01 |
|
Sciences (Non-specific) |
CAH07-04-03 |
|
Technologies |
|
|
Maritime Technology |
CAH10-03-04 |
|
Materials Technology |
CAH10-03-02 |
|
Minerals Technology |
CAH10-03-01 |
|
Polymers and Textiles |
CAH10-03-03 |
|
Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture and related subjects |
|
|
Agricultural Sciences |
CAH06-01-02 |
|
Others in Veterinary Sciences |
CAH05-01-02 |
If the research area is within one of the above CAH3 codes, ATAS clearance is required.
If not, ATAS clearance is not required.
The Department is responsible for providing a completed Statement of research (HR58) (Raven login required) to the applicant to enable an application to be submitted.
The details entered on the application form will be replicated on the ATAS certificate, so care should be taken to ensure the information is correct. The form must be completed in English, including the names of any overseas education/employer institutions.
Skilled Worker Visa and Government Authorised Exchange (Temporary Work) visa applicants
New members of staff who need a Skilled Worker or GAE visa must provide an ATAS certificate before a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) can be assigned. Existing members of staff who are extending permission or switching into an ATAS-liable immigration route in the UK may in some circumstances be able to have a CoS assigned before the ATAS certificate is available – please check with the HR Compliance Team.
Visitor visa applicants
Applications for a Visitor visa do not require an ATAS certificate before submitting a visa application. However, the visit cannot begin until the certificate is provided to the host Department.
Related links
You may find the following useful:
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) ATAS guidance
FCDO guidance on how to apply for an ATAS certificate