Obtaining a UK work visa: responsibilities

Job offers from the University are conditional upon the candidate having permission to live and work in the UK.

If you, or the candidate for your job, does not have permission, this page outlines the process of obtaining and maintaining permission to work.

Responsibility for obtaining and maintaining permission to work is shared between the University and the individual. The table below summarises these responsibilities.

Stage Candidate University

Recruitment
  • Indicate if they would need UK work permission to be employed
  • Manage recruitment and advertising in a way which supports a potential Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) application

Appointment
  • Use the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) provided by the University to apply for a Tier 2 visa reference for themselves and their dependents
  • Pay visa and NHS surcharges costs
  • Inform the University if the visa application is not successful
  • Understand the conditions of their visa
  • Apply for a CoS where the successful candidate requires work permission and, where the CoS is approved, informs the candidate of the CoS reference

Employment
  • Arrive in the UK in the time limits specified in the visa
  • Show their work permission documents to HR
  • Inform HR of any changes in employment or personal circumstances
  • Apply for a visa extension or indefinite leave to remain (ILR)
  • Show visa extension or ILR documentation to HR
  • Retain work permission documentation which may be audited by UKVI
  • Update the UKVI with information changes
  • Manage the individual’s employment in line with the visa conditions (eg extension of contract not permitted beyond the visa end date)
  • Remind employee of visa extension or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application requirements within three months of visa expiry
  • Retain up-to-date work permission and residency status about the employee
  • Inform the UKVI when the employee leaves the University