New hire visa process/timescales
Timescales for new hires requiring new visa status
Please refer to the below timescale estimates for new hires who do not hold a suitable visa status for planning provisional employment start dates, before agreeing with candidate and sending new hire request forms to Recruitment Hub/Staff Hub teams to issue a conditional contract offer:
Visa type and recruitment timescales estimates
Skilled worker route total estimates:
From: The point that hiring department submit request and supporting documents for conditional contract issue to a HR Hub team
To: Right to work in UK check / employment start date
- In-country visa application where ATAS exempt
15 weeks using standard service or 7 weeks with priority service - In-country visa application where ATAS required
20 weeks using standard service or 12 weeks with priority service - Out of country visa application where ATAS exempt
10 weeks using standard service or 6 weeks with priority service - Out of country visa application where ATAS required (and/or Criminal Record check required)
14 weeks using standard service or 12 weeks with priority service
Global Talent visa route total estimates:
From: The point that hiring department submit request and supporting documents for conditional contract issue to a HR Hub team
To: Right to work in 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 where individual has been offered, holds or has held a qualifying fellowship – they can apply independently and do not need to await ICL contract offer, so 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 individual has already decided to apply for this route independently, they do not need to await ICL contract offer, so process may be faster
Other routes – will be based on individuals’ circumstances and the timescales on gov.uk
Visa timescales for applications made in-UK - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visa-processing-times-applications-inside-the-uk
Visa timescales for applications made out-UK - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visa-processing-times-applications-outside-the-uk