How the system works

The UK Government department (UKVI) operates a Points Based immigration System (PBS) which applies to all new non-EEA and EEA nationals (except Irish nationals) coming to live and work in the UK.

Imperial College maintains sponsor licences for Skilled and Temporary work (GAE) routes, and provides appropriate support for Global Talent Visa routes where eligible. 

Workers & Temporary Workers sponsor guidance is available on the UK Government Visa & Immigration webpages to review. 

Should you have any questions regarding Immigration Rules/Sponsorship eligibility or guidance please contact the Staff Compliance team

  • Please allow a standard response time of 5 working days. If there are reasons for significant urgency, please highlight this and outline your status/circumstances and questions on your request. 

Imperial College London is the UK’s most international university and welcomes staff from all backgrounds and from all over the world.

New non-EEA and EEA nationals (except Irish nationals) offered a job at Imperial  College and who entered the UK after 1 January 2021, need to apply for and obtain an appropriate work visa under the Points Based immigration System (PBS) in order to be able to live and work in the UK.

After a conditional employment offer has been made, the Staff Compliance team will contact new non-EEA and EEA nationals with information about appropriate work visa route(s) and will support them with this process.

Individuals must meet the eligibility requirements of the specific visa category before they are given permission to enter or remain in the UK.

For those not currently in the UK and/or without a relevant UK Immigration Status, the visa application process is undertaken in their country of residence/home country.

Although there is now increased flexibility with switching between different UK Immigration routes, there are still some restrictions e.g. switching from / to ‘visitor’ routes and from one ‘temporary work’ route to another.

Family members / Partners of individuals who have or are applying for permission to work in the UK may be able to apply for a dependent, spousal, or family member visa, or register for the EU Settlement Scheme (where there are sufficient grounds for a late application). They may be able to attain a status that will allow them to work where this is permitted under the rules of that category. 

Information on the visa types most used by Imperial College can be found below.

Further information on the various UK immigration categories is available on the UKVI webpages and this UKVI tool may also be helpful.

Visa types most commonly used

UK visa application fees

To support current and prospective staff and their dependants, Imperial College can provide assistance with payment of:

* IHS costs are payable by staff and their dependants who apply for leave to enter or remain in the UK.  The IHS grants them free access to the NHS.  With a few limited exceptions, everyone coming to the UK on a visa of 6 months or more must register for the IHS and most must pay a fee.

This assistance may be offered as follows:

Under departmental reimbursement

As outlined in Imperial College’s Expenses Policy, departments may consider reimbursing UK visa and immigration application fees for current or prospective staff and their dependants at their discretion.  Applicants are not able to appeal against a department’s decision to exercise discretion. Please note that, where the research funder permits reimbursement of UK visa and immigration application fees, departments should charge eligible costs to the relevant project code.

  • Where a prospective member of staff is not yet in the UK, reimbursement of the initial visa application fees and/or Immigration Health Surcharge costs is non-taxable. Claims should be made using an Expense Claim (E1) form and submitted to Accounts Payable for processing.
  • Where the applicant is already in the UK and is applying to extend or switch their visa or is applying for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)), reimbursement of the application fees is taxable as it is considered a benefit-in-kind. Claims should be made using an Expense Claim (E1) form and submitted to Payroll for processing as a taxable pay supplement and not via the Expenses system.
  • Reimbursement of any dependant application fees, for applications made inside or outside the UK, is taxable.  Claims should be made using an Expense Claim (E1) form and submitted to Payroll for processing.