Immigration

An eVisa is an online record of your immigration status and the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. You will need to create a UKVI account to be able to access your eVisa.  

Updating your physical document to an eVisa does not affect your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK. 

In the future you’ll be able to use an eVisa to travel to the UK – you will not need to carry a physical document, except for your current passport, which must be registered to your UKVI account. Until the end of 2024 you will need to continue to carry your physical document when you travel, if you have one. 

• They are secure and cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with, unlike a physical document.
• You will not need to wait for, or collect, a physical document after your application is decided – you might still need to provide biometric information in person, and we will tell you if you need to do this.
• It will be quicker and easier to prove your status at the UK border, and share your status with third parties like employers and landlords.

UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) are replacing physical documents with an online record of your immigration status.  

You need to create a UKVI account to access your eVisa and share information about your immigration status and conditions, such as your right to work or rent in the UK, using the view and prove service. 

You do not have to pay to create a UKVI account. 

You can watch a video on how to create a UKVI account and access your eVisa.

Once you have created your UKVI account you will be able to view the details of your eVisa online, for example your type of permission, when it expires and your conditions of stay in the UK.  

You can update your personal information in your UKVI account, such as your contact details.  

Your eVisa will be linked to your passport in your UKVI account. You must keep your passport or ID card details up to date in your UKVI account and tell us about any changes, so that your immigration status can be easily identified at the UK border. You’ll still need to carry your current passport with you. 

If you have told UKVI that you have a new passport and you’re still waiting for confirmation that your UKVI account has been updated, you should also carry your old document with you, if possible, to avoid unnecessary delays at the border. 

You can watch a video on how to travel with your eVisa.

You can share your immigration status information with third parties, such as employers or landlords, by generating a share code in the view and prove service, which will give them time-limited access to your immigration status information. You can get a new share code whenever you need one – you do not have to remember a single unique code to be able to prove your status. 

We’ll continue to share relevant information about your immigration status automatically with some government departments and other public authorities. This will reduce the need for you to interact with online services when proving your immigration status.

If you have a biometric residence permit (BRP) that expires on 31 December 2024, you can now create a UKVI account and access your eVisa. You should do this before the expiry date of your BRP. You should continue to carry your BRP with you when you travel internationally until it expires.

Keep your expired BRP card as it may help with future applications to stay in the UK. You may also want it for your personal records.

You can use your travel document, such as a passport, or visa application reference number to create your UKVI account if you have lost your BRP card.

You should only request a replacement BRP if it has been lost or stolen and you have no other form of identity document to create a UKVI account.

If you have permission to stay in the UK, once you’ve created your UKVI account you will be able to sign in to the view and prove service to access your eVisa.

Read the Government's guide on using eVisas with Biometric Residence Permits (August version) here.

If you cannot see your eVisa details as soon as you create your UKVI account, there is nothing you need to do. The UKVI will contact you directly by email once your eVisa is available to view. You can use your BRP to prove your immigration status until your eVisa details are available.

If you have indefinite leave to enter or indefinite leave to remain and you currently prove your rights through a different type of physical document, such as a wet-ink stamp in your passport or a vignette sticker, then you should make a ‘no time limit’ (NTL) application to replace your document with a BRP. Once you have a BRP, you’ll be able to then create a UKVI account to access your eVisa.

Read the Government's guide to using eVisas with legacy paper documents.

For now, you should still carry your physical immigration document when travelling overseas as well as a current national passport or travel document. However, if you have not applied for digital immigration status, it is likely you could face significant delays or challenges when seeking to travel to or re-enter the UK on/from 1 January 2025.

During 2024, the Home Office is taking steps to allow carriers, including transport operators such as airlines, ferries and international train operators, to securely and automatically access the UK immigration status of passengers when travelling on their services. This will automate the existing routine checks completed when a passenger presents their national passport when travelling back to the UK from overseas.

If you have a biometric residence card (BRC) and you have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, then you already have an eVisa and you do not need to take any action to obtain one. You can find details of how to access and use your eVisa (your digital status) in your grant letter or email. You should continue to carry your BRC with you when you travel internationally.  

If you have a BRC and you have not been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, obtained another form of immigration leave, or become a British citizen, then your BRC is no longer valid, even if it appears to still be in date. This is because the UK has left the EU, and the EU free movement law no longer applies.

Read the Government's guide for customers who use a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) to prove their rights (April version) here.

To continue living in the UK you should get an immigration status as soon as possible. You may be able to make a late application to the EU Settlement Scheme as a family member of a relevant EU, other EEA or Swiss citizen. Do not travel internationally until you have obtained a proof of your immigration status.

If you cannot see your eVisa details as soon as you create your UKVI account, there is nothing you need to do. The UKVI will contact you directly by email once your eVisa is available to view. You can use your BRP to prove your immigration status until your eVisa details are available.

If you have indefinite leave to enter or indefinite leave to remain and you currently prove your rights through a different type of physical document, such as a wet-ink stamp in your passport or a vignette sticker, then you should make a ‘no time limit’ (NTL) application to replace your document with a BRP. Once you have a BRP, you’ll be able to then create a UKVI account to access your eVisa.

Read the Government's guide to using eVisas with legacy paper documents.

For now, you should still carry your physical immigration document when travelling overseas as well as a current national passport or travel document. However, if you have not applied for digital immigration status, it is likely you could face significant delays or challenges when seeking to travel to or re-enter the UK on/from 1 January 2025.

During 2024, the Home Office is taking steps to allow carriers, including transport operators such as airlines, ferries and international train operators, to securely and automatically access the UK immigration status of passengers when travelling on their services. This will automate the existing routine checks completed when a passenger presents their national passport when travelling back to the UK from overseas.

If you have a biometric residence card (BRC) and you have been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, then you already have an eVisa and you do not need to take any action to obtain one. You can find details of how to access and use your eVisa (your digital status) in your grant letter or email. You should continue to carry your BRC with you when you travel internationally.  

If you have a BRC and you have not been granted status under the EU Settlement Scheme, obtained another form of immigration leave, or become a British citizen, then your BRC is no longer valid, even if it appears to still be in date. This is because the UK has left the EU, and the EU free movement law no longer applies.

Read the Government's guide for customers who use a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) to prove their rights (April version) here.

To continue living in the UK you should get an immigration status as soon as possible. You may be able to make a late application to the EU Settlement Scheme as a family member of a relevant EU, other EEA or Swiss citizen. Do not travel internationally until you have obtained a proof of your immigration status.

The Skilled Worker visa has replaced the Tier 2 route and will be the route for EU and non-EU nationals who wish to come to the UK to work and are eligible for sponsorship by the University. This is a points-based system where points are awarded for 3 mandatory elements and a combination of tradeable elements. The total number of points required to be eligible for sponsorship is 70 points.

These are made up from 3 mandatory elements which will provide 50 points –

1. Job offer from an approved sponsor;
2. Qualification level met at RQF 3/SCQF 6 (an appropriate SOC code will be required);
3. Proven skills in English language (from a majority English speaking country, highest level qualification taught in English or IELTS at B1).

The additional 20 points are obtained from the following –

1. Met the salary threshold (either the minimum salary requirement or the salary on the SOC code, whichever is the higher);
2. Individual holds a PhD in a relevant subject or STEM subject;
3. The job is on the Shortage Occupation List.

Line Managers who wish to recruit to a role should discuss any recruitment requirements with their HR Partner or HR Advisor. Any prospective member of staff who also wishes to discuss the Skilled Worker visa can contact HR. Further guidance on the new immigration system can be found online.

UK Health Surcharge

The Immigration Health Surcharge was introduced by the Government in 2015 and allows those coming to the UK to work, study or join family for a period of longer than 6 months to access the National Health Service (NHS) in the same way a UK resident does. The surcharge is payable by all visa applicants applying to remain in the UK for longer than 6 months under Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Student Route and for any dependents. The surcharge is £624 per applicant, per year of stay in the UK. The surcharge for dependents under 18 years (at the time of application) is £470, per applicant, per year of stay. The surcharge is payable up front at the point of application.

Further information on the Immigration Health Surcharge be found online.

Anyone currently on a Tier 2 visa does not need to do anything at this point and if you need to extend your visa, you will apply under the new system. Your current Tier 2 Biometric Residence Permit remains valid until the expiry date outlined.

Certificate of Sponsorship

The Certificate of Sponsorship is a unique number attributed to the applicant to allow them to proceed with their Skilled Worker visa. Your relevant HR Advisor or HR Partner will help you obtain this number from the Sponsor Management System which may take a couple of days.

Ongoing Sponsorship Requirements

To enable the University to continue to sponsor staff and to maintain our A-rated licence, there are several compliance requirements for both the University and the member of staff being sponsored. The University is required to undertake an annual audit of all staff with time limited permission to work in the UK. We will contact you to ask some questions about any changes to your personal details (address and telephone number, passport details) but also any changes such as office location on Campus, change to your job title, salary. In addition, we are required to report activity to the Home Office such as long-term absence if this impacts your salary and any unauthorised absence.

As a sponsored member of staff, you are required to comply with the terms of your visa.

The Global Talent visa has replaced the Tier 1 – Exceptional Talent visa and is designed to attract recognised global leaders in science, arts, humanities, engineering and digital technology. Academics and researchers in STEM subjects can benefit from a quicker endorsement process as part of the fast track STEM scheme.

Applicants under this route must be endorsed by a UK body as approved by the Home Office. The full list of endorsing bodies is detailed below -

• The Royal Society, for science and medicine;
• The Royal Academy of Engineering, for engineering;
• The British Academy, for humanities;
• UK Research and Innovation, for science and research;
• Tech Nation, for digital technology;
• Arts Council England, for arts and culture.

Once endorsement is in place, the individual can proceed to make their application. The Immigration Health Surcharge of £624 per year will apply.

The fast track STEM scheme allows senior academics and researchers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics benefit from a quicker application process. Applicants must be in receipt of a fellowship; in a senior academic position (Professor) at an eligible Higher Education Institute or Research Institute and/or part of a publicly funded research team in receipt of prestigious funding or awards.

The Global Talent visa is a route to settlement in the UK after 3 years rather than 5 years in the UK. 

Temporary Worker – GAE route replaces Tier 5 – GAE which allows individuals to come to the University for a maximum period of 24 months to undertake research. As the University is an A rated sponsor, we can certify your maintenance requirement. A letter from your employer confirming employment along with a letter from the academic at the University is required, which needs to outline reason for the invitation, duration of the research activity and confirmation that the activity is at or above NQF level 3.

Further information can be obtained here.

Under the Temporary Worker route, there is also a category for the Youth Mobility Scheme that allows individuals to come to the UK for a maximum of 24 months. This route is not connected with a sponsor and therefore the individual is to apply directly for this. Further information can be obtained here.

The student visa has changed from Tier 4 to Student Route visa which enables EU and non-EU students to come to study in Aberdeen. Students must have a CAS issued from the University and should liaise with Student Recruitment to discuss this further.

Students that hold a Student Route visa can work the maximum of 20 hours per week during term time. Please note that for PhD students the term time is the full year and they can only work more than 20 hours per week during a period of annual leave. Written permission must be provided from the PhD supervisor to confirm that the student is on annual leave and that more than 20 hours can be worked. The written permission must be provided in advance of additional hours being undertaken.

Those with Tier 4 visas are still valid and will be valid until the expiry date. The new Student Route visa will apply to new students entering the UK in January 2021.

From Summer 2021, international students can apply to extend their stay in the UK post study under the Graduate Route visa.  The Graduate Route will enable students who have completed a degree programme at a UK University to stay in the UK for two years (three years for PhD graduates) to work at any level and to allow them to switch to eligible roles under the Skilled Worker visa.

Further details can be found online regarding this route.

Any EU and non-EU applicant seeking permission to stay in the UK for more than six months will be required to apply for a BRP and then to collect it within ten days of their first arrival in the UK. As part of the visa process the applicant will be required to provide their intended date of travel, a UK address with post code. The UK post code submitted as part of the application process will be used to identify the branch of the Post Office to which the Biometric Residence Permit will be sent for collection by the applicant. Help will be provided as part of the application process to guide the applicant in selecting the most appropriate Post Office collection branch.

Successful applicants will receive a letter informing them of the decision, which will also include notification that they must collect their BRP from the designated Post Office branch within 10 days of arrival in the UK. The passport or travel document will also be endorsed with a 30 day short validity (travel) vignette - which will be valid for thirty days from the date of travel provided by the applicant. This time period enables the individual to travel to the UK and to collect their BRP.

Please note – you should not arrive in the UK before the valid date of your visa, arriving early will require you to leave the Common Travel Area (UK and Ireland) and return after the visa valid date.

You must have a biometric residence permit (BRP) if you want to:

• apply to come to the UK
• apply to extend your visa or settle in the UK
• transfer your visa to a new passport
• apply for certain Home Office travel documents

You do not have to apply separately for a BRP. You will give your personal data when you make your visa or immigration application.

What’s on your BRP?

• your name, date and place of birth;
• your fingerprints and a photo of your face (this is your ‘biometric information’);
• your immigration status and any conditions of your stay;
• whether you can access public funds (eg benefits and health services);

You can use your BRP to confirm your:

• identity
• right to study or work in the UK
• right to any public services or benefits you are entitled to

Your BRP will be sent to you by post if you are making your immigration or visa application from inside the UK. If you apply from outside the UK you will have to collect it from a Post Office in the UK.

The content of this guidance document is a summary of the Standard Visitor Visa Guidance. To view the guidance in full please visit www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa/overview.

You can apply for a Standard Visitor visa if you want to visit the UK for business-related activities, e.g:

• You’re coming to the UK for a conference, meeting or training
• You want to take part in a specific sports related event
• You’re an artist, entertainer or musician coming to the UK to perform
• You’re an academic and are doing research or accompanying students on a study abroad programme

What you can or cannot do

You can

• Take part in any of the business-related activities mentioned in the visitor rules
• Study for up to 30 days, as long as it’s not the main reason for your visit

You can’t

• Do paid or unpaid work
• Live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent visits
• Get public funds

Duration of Stay

• For up to 6 months
• You may be eligible to stay longer if you’re an academic on sabbatical and coming to the UK for research – you, your spouse or civil partner may be able to stay for up to 12 months.

You must always show that:

• You’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit
• You’re able to support yourself and any dependents for the duration of your trip
• You’re able to pay for your return or onward journey and any other costs relating to your visit
• Any business or other activities you want to do in the UK, as allowed by the Visitor rules

Academic

You can stay in the UK for 12 months if you are applying as an academic. ou must prove you are highly qualified within your field of expertise, on sabbatical leave from your home institution and visiting to either:

• Take part in a formal exchange within a UK counterpart
• Carry out your own research
• Take part in someone else’s research, teaching or clinical practice, as long as this doesn’t involve filling a permanent teaching post

Further details regarding Immigration Rules for all visitors can be found here.

The Letter of support should state the following:

• The duration of stay
• The dates of visit
• The Academic visitor’s employer
• The Academic’s field of expertise and status with employer
• The reason for visit (sabbatical, exchange, or outlining the research to be undertaken).  The term “collaborative research” should be avoided.
• Why you are willing to host the academic visitor
• That the academic is not filling any post within the University
• That there will be no payment made to the academic visitor
• That they will return to their employer at the end of their stated visit
• Any additional information you deem appropriate in supporting the application.

You can apply for a Permitted Paid Engagement visa if you:

• want to come to the UK to do specific paid work without having to be sponsored under the points-based visa system
• are from a country that’s not in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
• meet the other eligibility requirements

The rules relating to late applications has changed, with the Home Office taking a much stricter stance on reasonable grounds for a late application. 

For example, it will no longer be automatically acceptable to state that an application was submitted late for the following reasons:

• The applicant was unaware of the requirement to apply to the EUSS by the deadline relevant to them
• They had limited English language skills
• They were digitally excluded
• Other personal circumstances, such as simply overlooking the need to apply or other commitments
• The impact of Covid restrictions on the ability to make an application
• There is no longer a presumption that victims of modern slavery will have reasonable grounds for applying late. 

If the Home Office rejects an application, it is considered invalid  and there will be no right of administrative review. 

Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Returning Resident - Guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

A person whose settlement has lapsed and who wants to return and settle in the UK must apply for entry clearance to return to the UK.  The government has implemented a new Returning Resident route.  A returning resident means “ person who previously had indefinite permission to enter or stay (settlement) in the UK which has now lapsed and who now wants to return to and settle in the UK”.  Where that application is as a returning resident.

Your settlement (ILR) will have lapsed if you have been absent for:

• more than 5 years, if you previously had settlement in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme
• more than 4 years, if you previously had settlement in the UK under the EUSS as a Swiss national or a family member of a Swiss national.  
• otherwise more than 2 years.

After individuals have lived and worked legally in the UK for a period of 5 years, they can become eligible to apply for permission to settle. This is known as Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Applications can be made within 28 days of the 5-year qualifying period and your HR Adviser can assist in supplying a letter to confirm details of your continued employment at the University. However, please note that an ILR application is a personal application and does not require sponsorship or endorsement from the University.

UK Settlement

To settle in the UK (indefinite leave to remain), you will have to pass the Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK Test (KOLL). The KOLL test designed to make sure you are aware of the basics of UK life - things you should know if you are planning to live there permanently. It tests your knowledge of UK customs, government, law and values.

The Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK test will cover the following topics:

• The values and principles of the UK
• Traditions and cultures from around the UK
• Events and people that have shaped the UK's history
• UK government and law
• How to get involved in the UK community

The test is to be taken on a computer in a designated testing facility in the UK. You will be asked 24 questions and be given 45 minutes to complete the test. There is no limit to the number of times the test can be taken, so don't worry if you don't pass the first or even the second time.

Language Test

To pass the KOLL English test, you must speak English*, understand spoken English and be able to read English. You can meet this requirement in one of four ways:

• You are a national of a majority English speaking country.
• You have obtained a degree taught in English.
• You can prove that your knowledge of English is equivalent to B1 (intermediate level) on the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).
• You can obtain a speaking and listening qualification in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at Entry levels 1,2 or 3. You must study at an accredited institution on a course of study which uses citizenship-based teaching materials.

*If you are taking the test in Scotland, you may request to take it in Scottish Gaelic. If you are taking the test in Wales, you may request to take it in Welsh.

There are different ways to become a British citizen. The most common is called ‘naturalisation’.

You can apply for British citizenship by naturalisation if:

• you are 18 or over
• you are of good character, eg you do not have a serious or recent criminal record
• you will continue to live in the UK
• you have met the knowledge of English and life in the UK requirements
• you meet the residency requirement

And you must usually have:

• lived in the UK for at least the 5 years before the date of your application
• spent no more than 450 days outside the UK during those 5 years
• spent no more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months
• been granted indefinite leave to stay in the UK (or permanent residence if you are an EEA/EU national)
• had indefinite leave to stay in the UK for the last 12 months (or permanent residence if you are an EEA national)
• not broken any immigration laws while in the UK

There are different requirements if your spouse or civil partner is a British citizen.

You cannot include any time spent in the UK when you are exempt from immigration control (eg as a diplomat or member of visiting armed forces) as part of the 5 years.

For more information, visit the 'Become a British Citizen' page.

Check if you need a Visa

A dependant of a work permit holder can obtain a visa for entry to the UK that will match the duration of the work permit holders leave to remain. The dependant must be under 18 years of age, not be living independently and is unable to financially support themselves.

Yes, see UKVI document PBS Dependant Policy Guidance

There is no need to report this to UKVI, even if the existing permission (work permit or points-based) still has some time to run. The HR Section will update their database to reflect the new visa details, and if someone has gained British citizenship, their nationality can be changed to British. Copies of original documents should be taken.

Switching (the term used when a migrant who is already legally in the UK changes immigration status from one immigration category to another) is only permissible in certain limited situations. Switching enables some of the criteria for points to be waived. It is not possible to switch from a dependants visa into Tier 2 (General), or any of the other Tier 2 sub-categories.

In certain circumstances the individual may be able to apply for their own Tier 1 (High value migrants) leave to remain (for a maximum of 3 years), and then be free to take up any employment in the UK for the period of the leave to remain.

However, in many cases the only option is to advertise the post that the individual is in. If the individual has the appropriate qualifications, English Language and maintenance (funds) and no EEA national is suitable for the job, then it may be possible to apply through Tier 2 (General) for a Certificate of Sponsorship.

A Certificate of Sponsorship must be assigned within 6 or 12 months of the date the vacancy was first advertised, depending on the nature and level of position.

A certificate of sponsorship under Tier 2 remains valid for 3 months from the date of assignment by the UKVI Managed Migration online system. An application for leave to enter or remain in the UK must be made within that 3 month period.

The UKVI will normally give the employee leave to enter and remain in the UK one month more than the period of employment or 3 years and one month, whichever is shorter. Therefore, depending on how far in advance of the start date the employee entered the country (see Q7 above) the employee should have a leave to remain for a minimum of 14 days after the end of the employment.