UKVI visa, ATAS processing and RTW Check updates

The Staff Compliance Team processes requests and respond to emails based on the request/case urgency level, as well as the date of receipt.

Urgency level will be based upon factors such as:

  • Employee’s / candidates current UK visa expiry date,
  • Proposed employment start date or date of contract change request.  
  • Eligibility for preferred visa routes, where there is a time factor
  • Individuals circumstances

For approximate timescales for new hires requiring new visa status please see the information here:

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

For UKVI visa, ATAS processing and RTW Check updates, including updates on current ATAS and UKVI processing times

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/human-resources/about-us/hr-notices-/ukvi-visa-atas-processing-and-rtw-check-updates/#d.en.1252174

General timescales:

  • RTW Reviews (advice to Recruitment teams and hiring departments): General service level of 5 working days for initial response and advice, or up to 10 working days for complex cases or during peak workload periods
  • Undertaking new employee right to work checks: A standard right to work check (online or manual in person) for time limited visa holder will usually be undertaken within 5 working days of the date the contract is issued, and before the work start.
  • Contract Change requests - Staff Compliance approval: Within 5 working days
  • Visa costs salary advance loan requests - Staff Compliance approval: Within 5 working days