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Information about the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS).
Skilled Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, and Student visa applications must be supported by an ATAS certificate if the individual is applying to work in certain academic environments in roles including postgraduate researchers and higher education teaching professionals. Individuals must obtain a valid ATAS certificate prior to commencing research in any of the specified subjects.
Fields of research are listed in Appendix ATAS. In order to determine whether or not a role requires an ATAS certificate, departments will need to identify the relevant Common Aggregate Hierarchy (CAH3) code.
The occupation codes covered by this requirement are available on the UK Government website.
Researchers working in these academic environments, coming to the UK as academic visitors, will also need to apply under ATAS before beginning their research. Appendix ATAS lists countries whose nationals are exempt from the duty to comply with this rule. Departments must check that researchers, who come to the UK to collaborate with UCL academics in a field of work covered by ATAS, have obtained the ATAS certificate if they require it. The department should conduct a right-to-work check, in order to identify an individual’s identity and nationality, and take a copy of their ATAS if required.
The UK Government website states “The HEI must check the ATAS certificate before allowing the research to start, and if this is not provided you will not be permitted on-site”. Please note that visitors may obtain their visa without an ATAS, however if they need an ATAS, they should request it before travelling to the UK.
Guidance for staff requiring ATAS certification is available. Staff requiring further guidance about the ATAS application process and its applicability to certain roles should first look through the guidance documents on this page titled;
If you have any further questions please raise an enquiry via the MyServices Portal.
Support for students completing an ATAS application is also available on the UCL website.
