UKVI visa, ATAS processing and RTW Check updates

In country applications:

Please note UKVI (Home Office) have recently increased their standard processing time for in-country Skilled Worker Route extensions, switches, and changes of employment from 8 weeks to 16 weeks.

There may be priority (£500 additional for 1 week decision), or super priority (£800 additional for 1-2 working day decision) options available, and we would expect that these decisions are faster than 16 weeks, but please be mindful that these timelines may also be subject to delay.

For extension/switching applications for Skilled Worker Route this may mean that individuals are unable to leave the UK and common travel area for some time until their new visa is granted and checked, and applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.

For changes of employment from another sponsor, please consider these delays when setting start dates. Candidates may wish to extend their current role/notice period to avoid the situation where they are unable to start employment with Imperial and have left their former employer/sponsor and are not eligible for UK public funds/benefits in the interim. Applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.

Out-of-country applications:

UKVI (Home Office) guidance on how quickly you will receive a decision on your UK visa application if you are applying from outside the UK can be viewed via this link. 

Availability of overseas priority application options is currently limited, and applications may be delayed.

General issues:

In addition, we are currently experiencing the following delays in relation to both in-country and out-of-country applications:

ATAS application processing - continues to be slow/unpredictable (no improvement since the summer student application spike) and some cases have taken 6 months. Unfortunately, there is no way of expediting ATAS applications.
 
Visa applications – delays across the board for most immigration routes.

The Staff Immigration and Compliance Team will provide the relevant information to existing staff extending sponsorship/visa (where it will impact on travel ability), and respond to RTW Reviews for new hires on this basis. If you are planning any recruitment which may be impacted by this update, please factor this information into your timelines.

20 November 2023

Staff Compliance Team processing times:

Please see the Human Resources Christmas 2023 processing time/deadlines information here:

• https://www.imperial.ac.uk/human-resources/about-us/hr-notices-/guidance-for-college-christmas-closure-2023/

Please see the new timescale estimates guidance for where a new hire needs to apply for and obtain a visa to work in the UK here:

• https://www.imperial.ac.uk/human-resources/compliance-and-immigration/immigration/new-hire-visa-processtimescales-/

Right to work checks

Please be aware that where a right to work check must be delayed, the start date is not permitted before the check is completed. The work start date would also need to be delayed until the individual is present in the UK and able to satisfactorily evidence their right to work.

For new arrivals to the UK, we recommend collecting the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card as soon as possible after arriving in the UK, and contacting our team as soon as the Online RTW check share code can be accessed, as this can be completed fully online and via a Microsoft Teams video-call, rather than in-person.

Where the Staff Compliance Team is copied into conditional employment contracts to undertake a right to work check for individuals who already hold a suitable UK visa status, the team is currently able to meet our processing aim of our team contacting the new-hire prospective employee to complete these right to work checks within 5 working days of the date the conditional contract is issued. Whether the check can be fully completed will depend on the new-hire prospective employee providing the necessary information/evidence promptly.

The Staff Compliance Team will send a ‘contract RTW conditions met’ email to the new employee cc’ing departmental contact / line manager and HR Hub team, once the check is fully completed and individual is cleared to start work. If any other pre-employment checks are needed before work can start – the Recruitment/Staff Hub team will confirm where right to work check is not the final pre-employment check/condition.

Providing advice to HR Hub teams and hiring departments

Where the Staff Compliance Team is requested by Recruitment Hub or HR Staff Hub to review the held UK visa documents / eligibility for UK work-route visa, in the majority of cases the team is able to meet our processing aim of providing an initial response/advice* within 5 working days of the request from the Hub team, cc’ing the key departmental contact in our response.

However, please be aware that since summer 2023 our teams workload has remained significantly high during a period the team has also had an unfilled team vacancy, and this has impacted on our turnaround times. It may take up to 10 working days for an initial response.

*The initial response may ask for further information/evidence from the prospective employee and/or hiring department to make a full assessment of eligibility for our preferred employment visa routes.

Application processing times (UKVI / ATAS)

Skilled worker route defined certificate of sponsorship applications

In October-November we have seen ‘defined’ COS for overseas Skilled worker route applications taking longer than usual. please review below information with this in mind.

Global talent visa endorsement (stage 1) applications:

• For accelerated endorsement routes – most endorsement applications are being decided within 2 weeks
• For standard peer review endorsement route – most endorsement applications are being decided within 5-7 weeks

In country visa applications:

UKVI are currently working to their usual standard of 8 weeks for visa application decision from the point that an in-time application is submitted, all fees and surcharges paid, and applicants biometrics provided.

There may be priority (£500 additional for 1 week decision), or super priority (£1000 additional for 1-2 working day decision) options available, where required. These fees must be paid at time of visa application submission and cannot be added separately later.

• For extension/switching applications - individuals are unable to leave the UK and common travel area until their new visa is granted and checked, and applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• For changes of employment from another sponsor, please consider the processing times when setting start dates. Candidates may wish to extend their current role/notice period to avoid the situation where they are unable to start employment with Imperial and have left their former employer/sponsor and are not eligible for UK public funds/benefits in the interim. Applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• Please be aware that applications for Indefinite leave to remain (settlement) have a 6-month standard processing service standard rather than the 8 weeks above. Applicants may decide to pay for priority processing.

Out-of-country visa applications:

UKVI (Home Office) guidance on how quickly you will receive a decision on your UK visa application if you are applying from outside the UK can be viewed via this link. Most overseas applications are expected to be a 3 week standard decision from point application fees are paid and biometric information provided.

Overseas priority application options are subject to availability, and dependent on the country of application.

• For standard visitor visa applications, there continues to be a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service. This is in relation to visiting academic/researcher associations which are processed via this link (not T5 GAE sponsored researchers which are requested and processed via Staff Compliance Team)

Academic & Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) for employees/visiting academics:

In addition, we are experiencing the following delays in relation to both in-country and out-of-country applications:

• ATAS application processing for employees / sponsored researchers / visitors – FCDO advise that from 6 weeks is the standard processing time, and we see most applications processed within 6-10 weeks.

We do still see delays regularly and some cases have taken from 3 to 6 months. Unfortunately, there is no way of expediting ATAS applications where they are delayed. Where the ATAS application for an employee / sponsored researcher / visiting researcher or academic has taken over 8 weeks please email D.Bowden@imperial.ac.uk and we will flag this delay to FCDO as feedback on their processing times and to check application is still progressing. We are unfortunately unable to get the ATAS result expedited.

For delayed ATAS applications for students please continue to liaise with the relevant student admissions / international student support team. HR Staff Compliance is unable to assist with student or admissions ATAS queries.

Immigration fee increases confirmed:

From 04 October 2023

Certificate of sponsorship costs:

The new fees are effective for certificates that are assigned from 04 October 2023

• T5 GAE (sponsored research) increase from £21 to £25 per COS
• Skilled worker route sponsorship increase from £199 to £239 per COS

At time of update, there has been no change to the employer’s immigration skills charge – the hiring department continues to pay £364 per year of sponsorship at the point of assigning COS for applicable roles, in addition to the above Skilled worker route COS fee.

Visa application fee costs - for applications submitted from 04 October 2023:

There are 15% increases in most work route visa and visitor route visa fees, and CoS, ILR, and citizenship fees are increasing by at least 20%. Below are the main changes that impact on our costs.

Skilled worker route

T5 GAE (sponsored researchers) and Youth Mobility Scheme

Global Talent Visa

Graduate route

Indefinite leave to remain (settlement)

In addition, although no change to priority application additional cost (£500) the super-priority cost will increase from £800 to £1000 per application for the faster 1-3 working day decision.

From 16^th January 2024 (to be confirmed)

• The normal rate for the immigration health surcharge will increase from £624 to £1,035 per year, per person/applicant.

• The discounted health surcharge rate for students, children and youth mobility visa holders will be increased from £470 to £776 per year.

We are awaiting final confirmation on the effective date of these IHS fee changes, that may be from 16/01/2024 or ‘the twenty-first day after the day on which it is made.’

You can see the current level of UKVI fees here.

Immigration rules change: Student visa holders switching to work routes

There were significant changes to the immigration rules which allow people to switch into work routes from a student visa as follows:

These changes took effect from 3pm on 17^th July 2023 – and impact on any student to work visa switch (leave to remain) applications submitted from this date:

• UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) have removed the ability for (Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught) students to switch into Skilled Worker or Global Talent Visa (or apply for a skilled worker /Global talent visa) up to 3 months prior to the end of their course - they must now have fully completed studies.
  
  
• Postgraduate Research (PhD) students can now switch into a skilled worker visa or GTV only after completing 24 months of their PhD (previously this was at 12 months).

Immigration fee increases confirmed:

From 04 October 2023

Certificate of sponsorship costs:

The new fees will be effective for certificates that are assigned from 04 October 2023

• T5 GAE (sponsored research) increase from £21 to £25 per COS
• Skilled worker route sponsorship increase from £199 to £239 per COS

At time of update, there has been no change to the employer’s immigration skills charge – the hiring department continues to pay £364 per year of sponsorship at the point of assigning COS for applicable roles, in addition to the above Skilled worker route COS fee.

With immediate effect, the Staff Compliance Team will now be requesting VCC’s for the new higher fee amounts where we may be unable to process the COS before the fee increase date (whether due to rule on when we can assign COS, or the teams capacity to progress and assign COS before this date). This is to ensure the PO/VCC raised will be sufficient, and to avoid need to ask for replacement VCC. Where a VCC is provided for a higher amount, and the actual cost is lower the unspent sum should be returned to the relevant budget.

Visa application fee costs - for applications submitted from 04 October 2023:

There are 15% increases in most work route visa and visitor route visa fees, and CoS, ILR, and citizenship fees are increasing by at least 20%. Below are the main changes that impact on our costs.

Skilled worker route

T5 GAE (sponsored researchers) and Youth Mobility Scheme

Global Talent Visa

Graduate route

Indefinite leave to remain (settlement)

In addition, although no change to priority application additional cost (£500) the super-priority cost will increase from £800 to £1000 per application for the faster 1-3 working day decision.

From a later Autumn effective date to be confirmed:

• The normal rate for the immigration health surcharge will increase from £624 to £1,035 per year.

• The discounted health surcharge rate for students, children and youth mobility visa holders will be increased from £470 to £776 per year.
• On Wednesday 4^th October due to train strikes, the team may be unable to offer in-person checks on this date.

You can see the current level of UKVI fees here.

Once we know the exact fees and effective date of any other fee increases this will be communicated on our webpages and with faculties/departments.

Immigration rules change: Student visa holders switching to work routes

There were significant changes to the immigration rules which allow people to switch into work routes from a student visa as follows:

These changes took effect from 3pm on 17^th July 2023 – and impact on any student to work visa switch (leave to remain) applications submitted from this date:

• UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) have removed the ability for (Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught) students to switch into Skilled Worker or Global Talent Visa (or apply for a skilled worker /Global talent visa) up to 3 months prior to the end of their course - they must now have fully completed studies.
  
  
• Postgraduate Research (PhD) students can now switch into a skilled worker visa or GTV only after completing 24 months of their PhD (previously this was at 12 months).

• This rule change has been implemented by UKVI with immediate effect so may have consequences for people in the middle of job applications / being employed by the College. The Staff Compliance Team may be required to revise previous advice provided due to these rules changes and we will advise affected individuals/departments where identified.

Staff Compliance Team processing times:

Right to work checks

Please be aware that where a right to work check must be delayed, the start date is not permitted before the check is completed. The work start date would also need to be delayed until the individual is present in the UK and able to satisfactorily evidence their right to work.

Industrial action for rail/transport or Transport for London underground services has impacted on the teams availability for in-person right to work checks due to travel delays/cancellations. However, we continue to operate in-person check availability all Monday to Thursdays, unless stated on this page, and on some Fridays where required. At time of this update, there are no further confirmed strike or ASOS days that will impact on our availability for in person checks.

For new arrivals to the UK, we recommend collecting the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card as soon as possible after arriving in the UK, and contacting our team as soon as the Online RTW check share code can be accessed, as this can be completed fully online and via a Microsoft Teams video-call, rather than in-person.

Where the Staff Compliance Team is copied into conditional employment contracts to undertake a right to work check for individuals who already hold a suitable UK visa status, the team is currently able to meet our processing aim of our team contacting the new-hire prospective employee to complete these right to work checks within 5 working days of the date the contract is issued. Whether the check can be fully completed will depend on the new-hire prospective employee providing the necessary information/evidence promptly.

The Staff Compliance Team will send a ‘contract conditions met’ email to the new employee cc’ing departmental contact and line manager once the check is fully completed and individual is cleared to start work.

Providing advice to HR Hub teams and hiring departments

Where the Staff Compliance Team is requested by Recruitment Hub or HR Staff Hub to review the held UK visa documents / eligibility for UK work-route visa, the team is usually able to meet our processing aim of providing an initial response/advice* within 5 working days of the request from the Hub team, cc’ing the key departmental contact in our response.

However, please be aware that in August through to mid-October our workload is significantly higher at this time of year, and this may impact on our turnaround time. Where the proposed start date is not immediately urgent, this may take up to 10 working days for the initial response.

*The initial response may ask for further information/evidence from the prospective employee and/or hiring department to make a full assessment of eligibility for our preferred employment visa routes.

Application processing times (UKVI / ATAS)

We have recently seen increased instances of minor delayed visa decisions in August -September, so please review below information with this in mind.

Global talent visa endorsement (stage 1) applications:

• For accelerated endorsement routes – most endorsement applications are being decided within 2 weeks
• For standard peer review endorsement route – most endorsement applications are being decided within 5-7 weeks

In country visa applications:

UKVI are currently working to their usual standard of 8 weeks for visa application decision from the point that an in-time application is submitted, all fees and surcharges paid, and applicants biometrics provided.

There may be priority (£500 additional for 1 week decision), or super priority (£800 additional for 1-2 working day decision) options available, where required. These fees must be paid at time of visa application submission and cannot be added separately later.

• For extension/switching applications - individuals are unable to leave the UK and common travel area until their new visa is granted and checked, and applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• For changes of employment from another sponsor, please consider the processing times when setting start dates. Candidates may wish to extend their current role/notice period to avoid the situation where they are unable to start employment with Imperial and have left their former employer/sponsor and are not eligible for UK public funds/benefits in the interim. Applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• Please be aware that applications for Indefinite leave to remain (settlement) have a 6-month standard processing service standard rather than the 8 weeks above. Applicants may decide to pay for priority processing.

Out-of-country visa applications:

UKVI (Home Office) guidance on how quickly you will receive a decision on your UK visa application if you are applying from outside the UK can be viewed via this link. Most overseas applications are expected to be a 3 week standard decision.

Overseas priority application options are subject to availability, and dependent on the country of application.

• For standard visitor visa applications, there continues to be a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service. This is in relation to visiting academic/researcher associations which are processed via this link (not T5 GAE sponsored researchers which are requested and processed via Staff Compliance Team)

Academic & Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) for employees/visiting academics:

In addition, we are experiencing the following delays in relation to both in-country and out-of-country applications:

• ATAS application processing for employees / sponsored researchers / visitors – FCDO advise that 6 weeks is the standard processing time, and we see most applications processed within 6-10 weeks.

We do still see delays regularly and some cases have taken from 3 to 6 months. Unfortunately, there is no way of expediting ATAS applications where they are delayed. Where the ATAS application for an employee/sponsored researcher/visiting researcher or academic has taken over 8 weeks please email D.Bowden@imperial.ac.uk and we will flag this delay to FCDO as feedback on their processing times and to check application is still progressing. We are unfortunately unable to get the ATAS result expedited.

For delayed ATAS applications for students please continue to liaise with the relevant student admissions / international student support team. HR Staff Compliance is unable to assist with student or admissions ATAS queries.

Staff Compliance Team processing times:

Right to work checks

Please be aware that where a right to work check must be delayed, the start date is not permitted before the check is completed. The work start date would also need to be delayed until the individual is present in the UK and able to satisfactorily evidence their right to work.

Industrial action for rail/transport or Transport for London underground services has impacted on the teams availability for in-person right to work checks due to travel delays/cancellations. However, we continue to operate in-person check availability all Monday to Thursdays, unless stated on this page, and on some Fridays where required. At time of this update, there are no further confirmed strike or ASOS days that will impact on our availability for in person checks.

For new arrivals to the UK, we recommend collecting the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card as soon as possible after arriving in the UK, and contacting our team as soon as the Online RTW check share code can be accessed, as this can be completed fully online and via a Microsoft Teams video-call, rather than in-person.

Where the Staff Compliance Team is copied into conditional employment contracts to undertake a right to work check for individuals who already hold a suitable UK visa status, the team is currently able to meet our processing aim of our team contacting the new-hire prospective employee to complete these right to work checks within 5 working days of the date the contract is issued. Whether the check can be fully completed will depend on the new-hire prospective employee providing the necessary information/evidence promptly.

The Staff Compliance Team will send a ‘contract conditions met’ email to the new employee cc’ing departmental contact and line manager once the check is fully completed and individual is cleared to start work.

Providing advice to HR Hub teams and hiring departments

Where the Staff Compliance Team is requested by Recruitment Hub or HR Staff Hub to review the held UK visa documents / eligibility for UK work-route visa, the team is usually able to meet our processing aim of providing an initial response/advice* within 5 working days of the request from the Hub team, cc’ing the key departmental contact in our response.

However, please be aware that in August through early October our workload is significantly higher at this time of year, and this may impact on our turnaround time. Where the proposed start date is not immediately urgent, this may take up to 10 working days.

*The initial response may ask for further information/evidence from the prospective employee and/or hiring department to make a full assessment of eligibility for our preferred employment visa routes.

Application processing times (UKVI / ATAS)

We have recently seen increased instances of minor delayed visa decisions in August -September, so please review below information with this in mind.

Global talent visa endorsement (stage 1) applications:

• For accelerated endorsement routes – most endorsement applications are being decided within 2 weeks
• For standard peer review endorsement route – most endorsement applications are being decided within 5-7 weeks

In country visa applications:

UKVI are currently working to their usual standard of 8 weeks for visa application decision from the point that an in-time application is submitted, all fees and surcharges paid, and applicants biometrics provided.

There may be priority (£500 additional for 1 week decision), or super priority (£800 additional for 1-2 working day decision) options available, where required. These fees must be paid at time of visa application submission and cannot be added separately later.

• For extension/switching applications - individuals are unable to leave the UK and common travel area until their new visa is granted and checked, and applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• For changes of employment from another sponsor, please consider the processing times when setting start dates. Candidates may wish to extend their current role/notice period to avoid the situation where they are unable to start employment with Imperial and have left their former employer/sponsor and are not eligible for UK public funds/benefits in the interim. Applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• Please be aware that applications for Indefinite leave to remain (settlement) have a 6-month standard processing service standard rather than the 8 weeks above. Applicants may decide to pay for priority processing.

Out-of-country visa applications:

UKVI (Home Office) guidance on how quickly you will receive a decision on your UK visa application if you are applying from outside the UK can be viewed via this link. Most overseas applications are expected to be a 3 week standard decision.

Overseas priority application options are subject to availability, and dependent on the country of application.

• For standard visitor visa applications, there continues to be a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service. This is in relation to visiting academic/researcher associations which are processed via this link (not T5 GAE sponsored researchers which are requested and processed via Staff Compliance Team)

Academic & Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) for employees/visiting academics:

In addition, we are experiencing the following delays in relation to both in-country and out-of-country applications:

• ATAS application processing for employees / sponsored researchers / visitors – FCDO advise that 6 weeks is the standard processing time, and we see most applications processed within 6-10 weeks.

We do still see delays regularly and some cases have taken from 3 to 6 months. Unfortunately, there is no way of expediting ATAS applications where they are delayed. Where the ATAS application for an employee/sponsored researcher/visiting researcher or academic has taken over 8 weeks please email D.Bowden@imperial.ac.uk and we will flag this delay to FCDO.

For delayed ATAS applications for students please continue to liaise with the relevant student admissions / international student support team. HR Staff Compliance is unable to assist with student or admissions ATAS queries.

Immigration rules changes

Student visa holders switching to work routes

There were significant changes to the immigration rules which allow people to switch into work routes from a student visa as follows:

These changes took effect from 3pm on 17^th July 2023 – and impact on any student to work visa switch (leave to remain) applications submitted from this date:

• UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) have removed the ability for (Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught) students to switch into Skilled Worker or Global Talent Visa (or apply for a skilled worker /Global talent visa) up to 3 months prior to the end of their course - they must now have fully completed studies.
  
  
• Postgraduate Research (PhD) students can now switch into a skilled worker visa or GTV only after completing 24 months of their PhD (previously this was at 12 months).

• This rule change has been implemented by UKVI with immediate effect so may have consequences for people in the middle of job applications / being employed by the College. The Staff Compliance Team may be required to revise previous advice provided due to these rules changes and we will advise affected individuals/departments where identified.

Immigration fees increases expected:

• The normal rate for the immigration health surcharge will increase from £624 to £1,035 per year.
• The discounted rate for students, children and youth mobility visa holders will be increased from £470 to £776 per year.
• We are expecting 15% increases in work route visa and visitor route visa fees, and CoS, ILR, and citizenship fees to increase by “at least 20%”.

You can see the current level of fees here.

No announcement has yet been made on timing of the proposed increases, but once we know the exact fees and effective date of these fee increases this will be communicated on our webpages and with faculties/departments.

Staff Compliance Team processing times:

Right to work checks

Please be aware that where a right to work check must be delayed, the start date is not permitted before the check is completed. The work start date would also need to be delayed until the individual is present in the UK and able to satisfactorily evidence their right to work.

Scheduled industrial action for rail/transport or Transport for London underground services can impact on the teams availability for in-person right to work checks due to travel delays/cancellations. However, we continue to operate in-person check availability all Monday to Thursdays, unless stated on this page, and on some Fridays where required.

On Friday 1^st September there are significant impacts to UK rail travel due to industrial action, which means that only limited members of the Staff Compliance Team can reach campus that day. This will impact on our in-person RTW check timeslot availability, which is likely to be between 11am-3.30pm.

For new arrivals to the UK, we recommend collecting the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card as soon as possible after arriving in the UK, and contacting our team as soon as the Online RTW check share code can be accessed, as this can be completed fully online and via a Microsoft Teams video-call.

On 30^th and 31^st August our team (and all employers/HEI’s have been experiencing intermittent technical problems with the UKVI Online RTW website – and have been unable to access or download Online RTW check results after being provided with the share code from employees/new hires. This issue may also be encountered by departments using the service to access the status of EU Settlement Scheme status holders or holders of Indefinite leave to remain.

Where technical issue is preventing a RTW check being undertaken, the College will unfortunately need to delay the work start date until a valid pre-employment check can be completed. If neither Online or in-person can be completed the Staff Compliance Team may need to use the Home Office employers checking service to obtain suitable evidence of right to work to start or continue employment.

Where the Staff Compliance Team is copied into conditional employment contracts to undertake a right to work check for individuals who already hold a suitable UK visa status, the team is currently able to meet our processing aim of our team contacting the new-hire prospective employee to complete these right to work checks within 5 working days of the date the contract is issued. Whether the check can be fully completed will depend on the new-hire prospective employee providing the necessary information/evidence promptly.

The Staff Compliance Team will send a ‘contract conditions met’ email to the new employee cc’ing departmental contact and line manager once the check is fully completed and individual is cleared to start work.

Providing advice to HR Hub teams and hiring departments

Where the Staff Compliance Team is requested by Recruitment Hub or HR Staff Hub to review the held UK visa documents / eligibility for UK work-route visa, the team is usually able to meet our processing aim of providing an initial response/advice* within 5 working days of the request from the Hub team, cc’ing the key departmental contact in our response.

However, please be aware that in August through early September our workload is significantly higher at this time of year, and this may impact on our turnaround time. Where the proposed start date is not immediately urgent, this may take up to 10 working days.

*The initial response may ask for further information/evidence from the prospective employee and/or hiring department to make a full assessment of eligibility for our preferred employment visa routes.

Immigration rules changes

Student visa holders switching to work routes

There were significant changes to the immigration rules which allow people to switch into work routes from a student visa as follows:

These changes took effect from 3pm on 17^th July 2023 – and impacts on any student to work visa switch (leave to remain) applications submitted from this date:

• UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) have removed the ability for (Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught) students to switch into Skilled Worker or Global Talent Visa (or apply for a skilled worker /Global talent visa) up to 3 months prior to the end of their course - they must now have fully completed studies.
  
  
• Postgraduate Research (PhD) students can now switch into a skilled worker visa or GTV only after completing 24 months of their PhD (previously this was at 12 months).

• This rule change has been implemented by UKVI with immediate effect so may have consequences for people in the middle of job applications / being employed by the College. The Staff Compliance Team may be required to revise previous advice provided due to these rules changes and we will advise affected individuals/departments where identified.

Immigration fees increases expected:

• The normal rate for the immigration health surcharge will increase from £624 to £1,035 per year.
• The discounted rate for students, children and youth mobility visa holders will be increased from £470 to £776 per year.
• We are expecting 15% increases in work route visa and visitor route visa fees, and CoS, ILR, and citizenship fees to increase by “at least 20%”.

You can see the current level of fees here.

No announcement has yet been made on timing of the proposed increases, but once we know the exact fees and effective date of these fee increases this will be communicated on our webpages and with faculties/departments.

Application processing

In country applications:

UKVI are currently working to their usual standard of 8 weeks for visa application decision from the point that an in-time application is submitted, all fees and surcharges paid, and applicants biometrics provided.

There may be priority (£500 additional for 1 week decision), or super priority (£800 additional for 1-2 working day decision) options available, where required. These fees must be paid at time of visa application submission and cannot be added separately later.

• For extension/switching applications - individuals are unable to leave the UK and common travel area until their new visa is granted and checked, and applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• For changes of employment from another sponsor, please consider the processing times when setting start dates. Candidates may wish to extend their current role/notice period to avoid the situation where they are unable to start employment with Imperial and have left their former employer/sponsor and are not eligible for UK public funds/benefits in the interim. Applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• Please be aware that applications for Indefinite leave to remain (settlement) have a 6-month standard processing service standard rather than the 8 weeks above. Applicants may decide to pay for priority processing.

Out-of-country applications:

UKVI (Home Office) guidance on how quickly you will receive a decision on your UK visa application if you are applying from outside the UK can be viewed via this link. Most overseas applications are expected to be a 3 week standard decision.

Overseas priority application options are subject to availability, and dependent on the country of application.

• For standard visitor visa applications, there continues to be a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service. This is in relation to visiting academic/researcher associations which are processed via this link (not T5 GAE sponsored researchers which are requested and processed via Staff Compliance Team)

General issues:

In addition, we are experiencing the following delays in relation to both in-country and out-of-country applications:

• ATAS application processing for employees / sponsored researchers / visitors – FCDO advise that 6 weeks is the standard processing time, and we see most applications processed within 6-10 weeks.

However, we do still see delays regularly and some cases have taken from 3 to 6 months. Unfortunately, there is no way of expediting ATAS applications where they are delayed. Where the ATAS application for an employee/sponsored researcher/visiting researcher or academic has taken over 8 weeks please email D.Bowden@imperial.ac.uk and we will flag this delay to FCDO.

For delayed ATAS applications for students please continue to liaise with the relevant student admissions / international student support team. HR Staff Compliance is unable to assist with student or admissions ATAS queries.

Immigration rules changes

Student visa holders switching to work routes

There were significant changes to the immigration rules which allow people to switch into work routes from a student visa as follows:

These changes took effect from 3pm on 17^th July 2023 – and impacts on any student to work visa switch (leave to remain) applications submitted from this date:

• UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) have removed the ability for (Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught) students to switch into Skilled Worker or Global Talent Visa (or apply for a skilled worker /Global talent visa) up to 3 months prior to the end of their course - they must now have fully completed studies.
  
  
• Postgraduate Research (PhD) students can now switch into a skilled worker visa or GTV only after completing 24 months of their PhD (previously this was at 12 months).

• This rule change has been implemented by UKVI with immediate effect so may have consequences for people in the middle of job applications / being employed by the College. The Staff Compliance Team may be required to revise previous advice provided due to these rules changes and we will advise affected individuals/departments where identified.

Immigration fees increases expected:

• The normal rate for the immigration health surcharge will increase from £624 to £1,035 per year.
• The discounted rate for students, children and youth mobility visa holders will be increased from £470 to £776 per year.
• We are expecting 15% increases in work route visa and visitor route visa fees, and CoS, ILR, and citizenship fees to increase by “at least 20%”.

You can see the current level of fees here.

No announcement has yet been made on timing of the proposed increases, but once we know the exact fees and effective date of these fee increases this will be communicated on our webpages and with faculties/departments.

Application processing

In country applications:

UKVI are currently working to their usual standard of 8 weeks for visa application decision from the point that an in-time application is submitted, all fees and surcharges paid, and applicants biometrics provided.

There may be priority (£500 additional for 1 week decision), or super priority (£800 additional for 1-2 working day decision) options available, where required. These fees must be paid at time of visa application submission and cannot be added separately later.

• For extension/switching applications - individuals are unable to leave the UK and common travel area until their new visa is granted and checked, and applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• For changes of employment from another sponsor, please consider the processing times when setting start dates. Candidates may wish to extend their current role/notice period to avoid the situation where they are unable to start employment with Imperial and have left their former employer/sponsor and are not eligible for UK public funds/benefits in the interim. Applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• Please be aware that applications for Indefinite leave to remain (settlement) have a 6-month standard processing service standard rather than the 8 weeks above. Applicants may decide to pay for priority processing.

Out-of-country applications:

UKVI (Home Office) guidance on how quickly you will receive a decision on your UK visa application if you are applying from outside the UK can be viewed via this link. Most overseas applications are expected to be a 3 week standard decision.

Overseas priority application options are subject to availability, and dependent on the country of application.

• For standard visitor visa applications, there continues to be a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service. This is in relation to visiting academic/researcher associations which are processed via this link (not T5 GAE sponsored researchers which are requested and processed via Staff Compliance Team)

General issues:

In addition, we are experiencing the following delays in relation to both in-country and out-of-country applications:

• ATAS application processing for employees / sponsored researchers / visitors – FCDO advise that 6 weeks is the standard processing time, and we see most applications processed within 6-10 weeks.

However, we do still see delays regularly and some cases have taken from 3 to 6 months. Unfortunately, there is no way of expediting ATAS applications where they are delayed. Where the ATAS application for an employee/sponsored researcher/visitor has taken over 8 weeks please email D.Bowden@imperial.ac.uk and we will flag this delay to FCDO.

For delayed ATAS applications for students please continue to liaise with the relevant student admissions / international student support team. HR Staff Compliance is unable to assist with student or admissions queries.

Staff Compliance Team processing times:

Pre-employment right to work checks

Please be aware that where a right to work check must be delayed, the start date is not permitted before the check is completed. The work start date would also need to be delayed until the individual is present in the UK and able to satisfactorily evidence their right to work.

Scheduled industrial action for rail/transport or Transport for London underground services can impact on the teams availability for in-person right to work checks due to travel delays/cancellations. However, we continue to operate in-person check availability all Monday to Thursdays, unless stated on this page, and on some Fridays where required.

For new arrivals to the UK, we recommend collecting the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card as soon as possible after arriving in the UK, and contacting our team as soon as the Online RTW check share code can be accessed, as this can be completed fully online and via a Microsoft Teams video-call.

Where the Staff Compliance Team is copied into conditional employment contracts to undertake a right to work check for individuals who already hold a suitable UK visa status, the team is currently able to meet our processing aim of our team contacting the new-hire prospective employee to complete these right to work checks within 5 working days of the date the contract is issued. Whether the check can be fully completed will depend on the new-hire prospective employee providing the necessary information/evidence promptly.

The Staff Compliance Team will send a ‘contract conditions met’ email to the new employee cc’ing departmental contact and line manager once the check is fully completed and individual is cleared to start work.

Providing advice to HR Hub teams and hiring departments

Where the Staff Compliance Team is requested by Recruitment Hub or HR Staff Hub to review the held UK visa documents / eligibility for UK work-route visa, the team is currently able to meet our processing aim of providing an initial response/advice* within 5 working days of the request from the Hub team, cc’ing the key departmental contact in our response.

*The initial response may ask for further information/evidence from the prospective employee and/or hiring department to make a full assessment of eligibility for our preferred employment visa routes.

17 July 2023

Immigration rules changes

Students switching to work routes

There are significant changes to the immigration rules which allow people to switch into work routes from a student visa as follows:

These changes took effect from 3pm on 17^th July 2023 and removes the following provisions:

• The ability for students to switch into Skilled Worker or GTV (or apply for a skilled worker /Global talent visa) up to 3 months prior to the end of their course (they must now have completed studies)
• The ability for PhD students to switch into a skilled worker visa or GTV after completing 12 months of a PhD (it is now only after 24 months)
• This rule change has been implemented by UKVI with immediate effect so may have consequences for people in the middle of job applications / being employed by the College.

Immigration fees increases expected

• The normal rate for the immigration health surcharge will increase from £624 to £1,035 per year.
• The discounted rate for students, children and youth mobility visa holders will be increased from £470 to £776 per year.
• We are expecting 15% increases in work route visa and visitor route visa fees, and CoS, ILR, and citizenship fees to increase by “at least 20%”.

You can see the current level of fees here.

No announcement has yet been made on timing of the proposed increases, but once we know the exact fees and effective date of these fee increases this will be communicated on our webpages and with faculties/departments.

Application processing

In country applications:

UKVI are currently working to their usual standard of 8 weeks for visa application decision from the point that an in-time application is submitted, all fees and surcharges paid, and applicants biometrics provided.

There may be priority (£500 additional for 1 week decision), or super priority (£800 additional for 1-2 working day decision) options available, where required. These fees must be paid at time of visa application submission and cannot be added separately later.

• For extension/switching applications - individuals are unable to leave the UK and common travel area until their new visa is granted and checked, and applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• For changes of employment from another sponsor, please consider the processing times when setting start dates. Candidates may wish to extend their current role/notice period to avoid the situation where they are unable to start employment with Imperial and have left their former employer/sponsor and are not eligible for UK public funds/benefits in the interim. Applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• Please be aware that applications for Indefinite leave to remain (settlement) have a 6-month standard processing service standard rather than the 8 weeks above. Applicants may decide to pay for priority processing.

Out-of-country applications:

UKVI (Home Office) guidance on how quickly you will receive a decision on your UK visa application if you are applying from outside the UK can be viewed via this link. Most overseas applications are expected to be a 3 week standard decision.

Overseas priority application options are subject to availability, and dependent on the country of application.

• For standard visitor visa applications, there continues to be a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service. This is in relation to visiting academic/researcher associations which are processed via this link (not T5 GAE sponsored researchers which are requested and processed via Staff Compliance Team)

General issues:

In addition, we are experiencing the following delays in relation to both in-country and out-of-country applications:

• ATAS application processing – we have noticed an improvement in processing times for many ATAS applications in 2023, and the majority should be processed within 6-8 weeks.

However, we do still see delays and some cases have taken from 3 to 6 months. Unfortunately, there is no way of expediting ATAS applications where they are delayed. However, where the ATAS application has taken over 8 weeks please email D.Bowden@imperial.ac.uk and we will flag this delay to FCDO.

Please be aware that where a right to work check must be delayed, the start date is not permitted before the check is completed. The work start date would also need to be delayed until the individual is present in the UK and able to satisfactorily evidence their right to work.

Staff Compliance Team processing times:

Pre-employment right to work checks

Please note that the following dates are scheduled industrial action for rail/transport or Transport for London underground services and there will be no/limited availability for in-person manual right to work checks on these dates:

• Monday 3^rd to Friday 7^th July 2023
• Monday 17^th July
• Tuesday 18^th July
• Thursday 20^th July
• Friday 21^st July
• Tuesday 25^th July
• Wednesday 26^th July
• Thursday 27^th July

The team will be scheduling all in-person manual right to work checks on:

• Wednesday 19^th July
• Monday 24^th July
• Friday 28^th July

For new arrivals to the UK, we recommend collecting the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card as soon as possible, and contacting our team as soon as the Online RTW check share code can be accessed, as this can be completed online and via a Microsoft Teams video-call.

Where the Staff Compliance Team is copied into conditional employment contracts to undertake a right to work check for individuals who already hold a suitable UK visa status, the team is currently able to meet our processing aim of our team contacting the new-hire prospective employee to complete these right to work checks within 5 working days of the date the contract is issued. Whether the check can be fully completed will depend on the new-hire prospective employee providing the necessary information/evidence promptly.

The Staff Compliance Team will send a ‘contract conditions met’ email to the new employee cc’ing departmental contact and line manager once the check is fully completed and individual is cleared to start work.

Providing advice to HR Hub teams and hiring departments

Where the Staff Compliance Team is requested by Recruitment Hub or HR Staff Hub to review the held UK visa documents / eligibility for UK work-route visa, the team is currently able to meet our processing aim of providing an initial response/advice* within 5 working days of the request from the Hub team, cc’ing the key departmental contact in our response.

*The initial response may ask for further information/evidence from the prospective employee and/or hiring department to make a full assessment of eligibility for our preferred employment visa routes.

In country applications:

UKVI are currently working to their usual standard of 8 weeks for visa application decision from the point that an in-time application is submitted, all fees and surcharges paid, and applicants biometrics provided.

There may be priority (£500 additional for 1 week decision), or super priority (£800 additional for 1-2 working day decision) options available, where required. These fees must be paid at time of visa application submission and cannot be added separately later.

• For extension/switching applications - individuals are unable to leave the UK and common travel area until their new visa is granted and checked, and applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• For changes of employment from another sponsor, please consider the processing times when setting start dates. Candidates may wish to extend their current role/notice period to avoid the situation where they are unable to start employment with Imperial and have left their former employer/sponsor and are not eligible for UK public funds/benefits in the interim. Applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• Please be aware that applications for Indefinite leave to remain (settlement) have a 6-month standard processing service standard rather than the 8 weeks above. Applicants may decide to pay for priority processing.

Out-of-country applications:

UKVI (Home Office) guidance on how quickly you will receive a decision on your UK visa application if you are applying from outside the UK can be viewed via this link. Most overseas applications are expected to be a 3 week standard decision.

Overseas priority application options are subject to availability, and dependent on the country of application.

• For standard visitor visa applications, there continues to be a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service. This is in relation to visiting academic/researcher associations which are processed via this link (not T5 GAE sponsored researchers which are requested and processed via Staff Compliance Team)

General issues:

In addition, we are experiencing the following delays in relation to both in-country and out-of-country applications:

• ATAS application processing – we have noticed an improvement in processing times for many ATAS applications in 2023, and the majority should be processed within 6-8 weeks.

However, we do still see delays and some cases have taken from 3-6 months. Unfortunately, there is no way of expediting ATAS applications where they are delayed.

Please be aware that where a right to work check must be delayed, the start date is not permitted before the check is completed. The work start date would also need to be delayed until the individual is present in the UK and able to satisfactorily evidence their right to work.

Staff Compliance Team processing times:

Pre-employment right to work checks

Please note that the following dates are scheduled industrial action for rail/transport or Transport for London underground services and there will be no/limited availability for in-person manual right to work checks on these dates:

• Monday 3^rd to Friday 7^th July 2023
• Monday 17^th July
• Tuesday 18^th July
• Thursday 20^th July
• Friday 21^st July
• Tuesday 25^th July
• Wednesday 26^th July
• Thursday 27^th July

The team will be scheduling all in-person manual right to work checks on:

• Wednesday 19^th July
• Monday 24^th July
• Friday 28^th July

For new arrivals to the UK, we recommend collecting the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card as soon as possible, and contacting our team as soon as the Online RTW check share code can be accessed, as this can be completed online and via a Microsoft Teams video-call.

Where the Staff Compliance Team is copied into conditional employment contracts to undertake a right to work check for individuals who already hold a suitable UK visa status, the team is currently able to meet our processing aim of our team contacting the new-hire prospective employee to complete these right to work checks within 5 working days of the date the contract is issued. Whether the check can be fully completed will depend on the new-hire prospective employee providing the necessary information/evidence promptly.

The Staff Compliance Team will send a ‘contract conditions met’ email to the new employee cc’ing departmental contact and line manager once the check is fully completed and individual is cleared to start work.

Providing advice to HR Hub teams and hiring departments

Where the Staff Compliance Team is requested by Recruitment Hub or HR Staff Hub to review the held UK visa documents / eligibility for UK work-route visa, the team is currently able to meet our processing aim of providing an initial response/advice* within 5 working days of the request from the Hub team, cc’ing the key departmental contact in our response.

*The initial response may ask for further information/evidence from the prospective employee and/or hiring department to make a full assessment of eligibility for our preferred employment visa routes.

In country applications:

UKVI are currently working to their usual standard of 8 weeks for visa application decision from the point that an in-time application is submitted, all fees and surcharges paid, and applicants biometrics provided.

There may be priority (£500 additional for 1 week decision), or super priority (£800 additional for 1-2 working day decision) options available, where required. These fees must be paid at time of visa application submission and cannot be added separately later.

• For extension/switching applications - individuals are unable to leave the UK and common travel area until their new visa is granted and checked, and applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• For changes of employment from another sponsor, please consider the processing times when setting start dates. Candidates may wish to extend their current role/notice period to avoid the situation where they are unable to start employment with Imperial and have left their former employer/sponsor and are not eligible for UK public funds/benefits in the interim. Applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• Please be aware that applications for Indefinite leave to remain (settlement) have a 6-month standard processing service standard rather than the 8 weeks above. Applicants may decide to pay for priority processing.

Out-of-country applications:

UKVI (Home Office) guidance on how quickly you will receive a decision on your UK visa application if you are applying from outside the UK can be viewed via this link. Most overseas applications are expected to be a 3 week standard decision.

Overseas priority application options are subject to availability, and dependent on the country of application.

• For standard visitor visa applications, there continues to be a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service. This is in relation to visiting academic/researcher associations which are processed via this link (not T5 GAE sponsored researchers which are requested and processed via Staff Compliance Team)

General issues:

In addition, we are experiencing the following delays in relation to both in-country and out-of-country applications:

• ATAS application processing – we have noticed an improvement in processing times for many ATAS applications in 2023, and the majority should be processed within 6-8 weeks.

However, we do still see delays and some cases have taken from 3-6 months. Unfortunately, there is no way of expediting ATAS applications where they are delayed.

Please be aware that where a right to work check must be delayed, the start date is not permitted before the check is completed. The work start date would also need to be delayed until the individual is present in the UK and able to satisfactorily evidence their right to work.

Staff Compliance Team processing times:

Pre-employment right to work checks

Where the Staff Compliance Team is copied into conditional employment contracts to undertake a right to work check for individuals who already hold a suitable UK visa status, the team is currently able to meet our processing aim of our team contacting the new-hire prospective employee to complete these right to work checks within 5 working days of the date the contract is issued. Whether the check can be fully completed will depend on the new-hire prospective employee providing the necessary information/evidence promptly.

The Staff Compliance Team will send a ‘contract conditions met’ email to the new employee cc’ing departmental contact and line manager once the check is fully completed and individual is cleared to start work.

Providing advice to HR Hub teams and hiring departments

Where the Staff Compliance Team is requested by Recruitment Hub or HR Staff Hub to review the held UK visa documents / eligibility for UK work-route visa, the team is currently able to meet our processing aim of providing an initial response/advice* within 5 working days of the request from the Hub team, cc’ing the key departmental contact in our response.

*The initial response may ask for further information/evidence from the prospective employee and/or hiring department to make a full assessment of eligibility for our preferred employment visa routes.

In country applications:

UKVI are currently working to their usual standard of 8 weeks for visa application decision from the point that an in-time application is submitted, all fees and surcharges paid, and applicants biometrics provided.

There may be priority (£500 additional for 1 week decision), or super priority (£800 additional for 1-2 working day decision) options available, where required. These fees must be paid at time of visa application submission and cannot be added separately later.

• For extension/switching applications - individuals are unable to leave the UK and common travel area until their new visa is granted and checked, and applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• For changes of employment from another sponsor, please consider the processing times when setting start dates. Candidates may wish to extend their current role/notice period to avoid the situation where they are unable to start employment with Imperial and have left their former employer/sponsor and are not eligible for UK public funds/benefits in the interim. Applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• Please be aware that applications for Indefinite leave to remain (settlement) have a 6 month standard processing service standard rather than the 8 weeks above. Applicants may decide to pay for priority processing.

Out-of-country applications:

UKVI (Home Office) guidance on how quickly you will receive a decision on your UK visa application if you are applying from outside the UK can be viewed via this link. 

Overseas priority application options are subject to availability, and dependent on the country of application.

• For visitor visa applications, there continues to be a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service.

General issues:

In addition, we are experiencing the following delays in relation to both in-country and out-of-country applications:

• ATAS application processing – we have noticed an improvement in processing times for many ATAS applications, and the majority should be processed within 6 weeks. However, we do still see delays and some cases have taken 3-6 months. Unfortunately, there is no way of expediting ATAS applications where they are delayed.

Please be aware that where a right to work check must be delayed, the start date is not permitted before the check is completed, so the start date would also need to be delayed until the individual is present in the UK and able to evidence their right to work.

Please also be mindful of upcoming UK Bank holidays / College closure days in May / June when planning start dates for new hires.

• Monday 29^th May (bank holiday)

Please also note that the following dates are scheduled industrial action for transport and there will be no availability for in-person manual right to work checks on these dates:

• Wednesday 31^st May
• Friday 2^nd June
• Thursday 1^st June may also have significant travel disruption, and we are monitoring whether possible to conduct in person checks on this date.

Please also be mindful of these closure dates for existing staff submitting and providing evidence to the Staff Compliance Team of their submitted visa application / permission to use the Home Office employers checking service. Where there are closure days/weekends employees may need to ensure they provide evidence/permission on the last working day beforehand, if visa expiry falls on a weekend or closure date.

The Staff Immigration and Compliance Team will provide the relevant information to existing staff extending sponsorship/visa (where it will impact on travel ability) and respond to RTW Reviews (to HR Staff Hub and Recruitment Hub) for new hires on this basis. If you are planning any recruitment or arranging start dates for new hires, please factor this information into your timelines.

In country applications:

UKVI are currently working to their usual standard of 8 weeks for visa application decision from the point that an in-time application is submitted, all fees and surcharges paid, and applicants biometrics provided.

There may be priority (£500 additional for 1 week decision), or super priority (£800 additional for 1-2 working day decision) options available, where required.

• For extension/switching applications - individuals are unable to leave the UK and common travel area until their new visa is granted and checked, and applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• For changes of employment from another sponsor, please consider the processing times when setting start dates. Candidates may wish to extend their current role/notice period to avoid the situation where they are unable to start employment with Imperial and have left their former employer/sponsor and are not eligible for UK public funds/benefits in the interim. Applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• Please be aware that applications for Indefinite leave to remain (settlement) have a 6 month standard processing service rather than the 8 weeks above. Applicants may decide to pay for priority processing.

Out-of-country applications:

UKVI (Home Office) guidance on how quickly you will receive a decision on your UK visa application if you are applying from outside the UK can be viewed via this link. 

Overseas priority application options are subject to availability, and dependent on the country of application.

General issues:

In addition, we are currently experiencing the following delays in relation to both in-country and out-of-country applications:

• ATAS application processing – we have noticed an improvement in processing times for many ATAS applications. However, we do still see delays and some cases have taken 3-6 months. Unfortunately, there is no way of expediting ATAS applications where delayed.
• Visa applications – although current UKVI processing times are now back to their usual service standards, we have seen some applications submitted between Autumn 2022 – January 2023 delayed.
• For visitor visa applications, there is a reduction in the availability of the priority visa service.
• HR Staff Compliance Team In-person right to work checks for new starters with time-limited visas – Please note that the Industrial action for railway and/or transport for London strike days will have an impact on team availability for in-person checks in March 2023 on the following dates:

• Wednesday 15^th March
• Thursday 16^th March
• There may be limited availability on Friday 17^th March
• There may be limited availability on Friday 31^st March
• Thursday 30^th March

No checks will be conducted in-person on these dates and will either need to be:

• undertaken as online right to work checks, once the Biometric Residence document is collected by the new starter, or
• scheduled on the next working day after strike action / limited appointment availability.

Please be aware that where a right to work check must be delayed, the start date is not permitted before this check is completed, so this would also need to be delayed.

Please also be mindful of the upcoming College Easter closure dates when planning start dates for new hires, and for awareness when our team will be able to complete right to work checks prior to work start.

Please also be mindful of these dates for existing staff submitting and providing evidence to the Staff Compliance Team of their submitted visa application / permission to use the Home Office employers checking service.

The Staff Immigration and Compliance Team will provide the relevant information to existing staff extending sponsorship/visa (where it will impact on travel ability) and respond to RTW Reviews (to HR Staff Hub and Recruitment Hub) for new hires on this basis. If you are planning any recruitment or arranging start dates for new hires, please factor this information into your timelines.

In country applications:

Please note that UKVI (Home Office) have recently updated their standard processing and decision time for in-country Skilled Worker Route extensions, switches, and changes of employment from 8 weeks to 11 weeks. (This has reduced from the 16 week estimate given in November 2022 update).

UKVI are aiming to return to their usual standard of 8 weeks by end of 2022.

There may be priority (£500 additional for 1 week decision), or super priority (£800 additional for 1-2 working day decision) options available, and we would expect that these decisions are faster than 11 weeks, but please be mindful that these timelines may also be subject to delay.

• For extension/switching applications for Skilled Worker Route this may mean that individuals are unable to leave the UK and common travel area for some time until their new visa is granted and checked, and applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.
• For changes of employment from another sponsor, please consider these delays when setting start dates. Candidates may wish to extend their current role/notice period to avoid the situation where they are unable to start employment with Imperial and have left their former employer/sponsor and are not eligible for UK public funds/benefits in the interim. Applicants/departments may decide to pay for priority processing.

Out-of-country applications:

UKVI (Home Office) guidance on how quickly you will receive a decision on your UK visa application if you are applying from outside the UK can be viewed via this link. 

Availability of overseas priority application options is currently limited, and applications may be delayed.

General issues:

In addition, we are currently experiencing the following delays in relation to both in-country and out-of-country applications:

• ATAS application processing - continues to be slow/unpredictable (no improvement since the summer student application spike) and some cases have taken 6 months. Unfortunately, there is no way of expediting ATAS applications.
• Visa applications – delays across the board for most immigration routes.
• HR Staff Compliance Team In-person right to work checks for new starters with time-limited visas – Please note that the Industrial action for railway and/or transport for London strike days will have an impact on team availability for in-person checks in December 2022 and January 2023 on the following dates:

Tuesday 13 December 2022
Wednesday 14 December 2022 
Friday 16 December 2022
Tuesday 3 January 2023
Wednesday 4 January 2023 
Friday 6 January 2023

No checks will be conducted in-person on these dates and will either need to be:

• undertaken as online right to work checks, once the Biometric Residence document is collected by the new starter, or
• scheduled on the next working day after strike action.

Please be aware that where a right to work check must be delayed, the start date is not permitted before this check is completed, so this would also need to be delayed.

The Staff Immigration and Compliance Team will provide the relevant information to existing staff extending sponsorship/visa (where it will impact on travel ability) and respond to RTW Reviews (to HR Staff Hub and Recruitment Hub) for new hires on this basis. If you are planning any recruitment which may be impacted by this update, please factor this information into your timelines.