Timescales for new hires requiring new visa status
Please refer to the timescale estimates below for new hires without a suitable visa status when planning provisional employment start dates, before agreeing with the candidate and sending new hire request forms to the Recruitment Hub/Staff Hub teams to issue a conditional contract offer.
Visa type and recruitment timescales estimates
- Skilled worker route total estimates:
- Global Talent visa route total estimates:
- Other routes – will be based on individuals’ circumstances and the timescales on gov.uk
From: The point at which the hiring department submits the request and supporting documents for a conditional contract issue to the Staff Hub team
To: Right to work in the UK, check/employment start date
- In-country visa application where ATAS is exempt
15 weeks using standard service or 7 weeks with priority service - In-country visa application where ATAS is required
20 weeks using standard service or 12 weeks with priority service - Out-of-country visa application where ATAS is exempt
10 weeks using standard service or 6 weeks with priority service - Out-of-country visa application where ATAS is required (and/or a Criminal Record check is required)
14 weeks using standard service or 12 weeks with priority service
From: The point at which the hiring department submits the request and supporting documents for a conditional contract issue to the Staff Hub team
To: Right to work in the UK, check/employment start date
- Individual Fellowship endorsement route
- In-country visa application: 12-14 weeks using standard service or 6 weeks with priority service
- Out-of-country visa application: 7-9 weeks using standard service or 6 weeks with priority service.
Please note that if an individual has been offered, holds, or has held a qualifying fellowship, they can apply independently and do not need to wait for an Imperiacontract offer; the process may be faster. - Academic & Research appointments endorsement route
- In-country visa application: 12-15 weeks standard service or 8 weeks with priority service
- Out-of-country visa application: 8-10 weeks using standard service or 7 weeks with priority service - UKRI-endorsed funder route
- In-country visa application: 12-16 weeks standard service or 7 weeks with priority service
- Out-of-country visa application: 7-11 weeks standard service or 6 weeks with priority service - Standard Peer review endorsement route
- In-country visa application: 16-18 weeks standard service or 11 weeks with priority service
- Out-of-country visa application: 11-13 weeks standard service or 8 weeks with priority service
Please note that where an individual has already decided to apply for this route independently, they do not need to await an Imperiacontract offer, so that process may be faster
Visa Timescales – Skilled Worker Route & Global Talent Visa
UKVI visa, ATAS processing and RTW Check updates:
Provides updates and notices to visa and related processes, rule changes and timescales.
View the updates