Longer-Term Researchers and Workers

Longer-Term Researchers and Workers

The University is able to allocate three types of visa to support long-term (a year or longer) visitors to the country who wish to work or research at Worcester.

In each case, the University will act as the sponsor for the visitor and will have responsibility along with the visitor for ensuring they comply with the terms of their visa. Once we have the information we require in order to assign the visa, HR will create and allocate a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the individual for them to be able to use to prove they are sponsored for their visit and support their visa application.

The University is able to issue visas on the following basis:

Tier 2 - General

The Tier 2 - General visa is used to sponsor skilled workers for roles that have not been able to be filled by UK citizens, or are in shortage areas.

To be sponsored under this visa, applicants must be offered a role with a minimum annual salary of £20,600 (with some exceptions) and be able to demonstrate a good command of the English language.

Applicants can apply to stay in the UK for up to 5 years, although Tier 2 visas are often issued for three years.

This is the visa route that is most applicable to skilled individuals the University wishes to appoint such as Academics and Professional Support staff.

More information on the Tier 2 - General visa can be found at https://www.gov.uk/tier-2-general

Tier 5 - (Temporary Worker - Creative and Sporting)

The University primarily uses this route to assign visas to visitors who will be here for the purposes of taking part in sport at the University.

Note, that visas for Worcester Wolves Basketball players are assigned by Worcester Wolves Ltd acting as a sponsor.

More information on the Tier 5 (Temporary Worker - Creative and Sporting) visa can be found at https://www.gov.uk/tier-5-temporary-worker-creative-and-sporting-visa

Tier 5 - Government Authorised Exchange (GAE)

Where the sole purpose of the visit is to perform research at the University and where the visitor does not need to be employed, then the Government Authorised Exchange visa (GAE) may be most applicable.

The GAE Visa can be assigned for 1-2 years and allows a visitor to live and research in the UK as long as the visitor is acting in a supernumerary role (one that would not exist if not awarded to the visitor) and the visitor can demonstrate they will be sufficiently funded by their own government/employer overseas for the duration of the visit.

More information on the Tier 5 GAE is located at https://www.gov.uk/tier-5-government-authorised-exchange/overview