New hire visa process/timescales

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

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

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