Skilled Worker Overview

An assessment of an individual's Right to Work status should be undertaken. An applicant may require sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa if they do not have a UK visa or their current UK visa does not permit them to undertake the role being offered. 

Certain visas carry restrictions on what work the holder can do and/or the hours they are permitted to work. The visa usually clearly states any restrictions, but please contact the Staff Immigration Team if you are unsure.

EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals

Free movement and the transitional arrangements in place for EU, EEA and Swiss nationals end at 11pm on 31 December 2020.

European nationals resident in the UK on or prior to 31 December 2020 must apply for Pre-Settled or Settled status before the 30 June 2021. In the UK before brexit page provides further information.

European nationals arriving from the 1 January 2021, who have not been resident in the UK previously will require an appropriate visa, such as the Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK.

Irish nationals automatically have the right to live and work in the UK and do not require a visa.

Tier 2/Skilled Worker visa holder

• Individual already employed by the University or a college: Please send a copy of the new job description to the Staff Immigration Adviser who will consider the new role against the individual's current appointment. If this falls within the same occupation it is likely this will just need to be reported to the Home Office. If significantly different, new Skilled Worker sponsorship will be required with the new visa granted before they can commence the role.
• Individual employed by an external organisation: A new Skilled Worker visa will be required with sponsorship from the University.

Student (Tier 4) visa holder

International students who have been sponsored under a student visa to study in the UK can switch into the Skilled Worker route to undertake their first full time role. Please refer to the Additional requirement for Student (Tier 4) visa holders 

Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme visa holder

PhD/DPhil students who are nearing the completion of their studies and hold a student visa can apply for a 12 month extension to their visa under the Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES). This visa allows the individual to work full time once they have completed their studies.

If the appointment is shorter than 12 months, the Tier 4 DES route may be better than the Skilled Worker route. The Student Immigration Team provides further guidance for Oxford students.

For sponsorship to be provided the appointment will need to meet the Requirements for sponsorship which sets a minimum skills and salary threshold and that the appointment is a genuine vacancy.

The Request a CoS & Prepare a visa application page provides further details on requesting sponsorship from the Staff Immigration Team and the visa requirements to be met, which can include English language, tuberculosis screening, maintenance and criminal record checks.

The employing department, faculty or college should download and complete the CoS form, submitting this to the Staff Immigration Adviser with the required supporting documents password protected with 7-Zip.

Global Talent visa

Please consider the Global Talent visa for

• senior academic and research appointments
• research or specialist technical roles externally funded
• individuals awarded an individual fellowship 

Certificate of Sponsorship

Once the Staff Immigration Team are satisfied the requirements have been met they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the individual.

This is an electronic document which lists the individual's personal details and information about the role. The CoS contains a unique reference number which must be included in the Skilled Worker visa application.

Sponsorship is normally provided in line with the contract of employment period, up to an initial maximum period of 5 year sponsorship. There are different visa costs for an 'up to 3 year' visa, and an 'up to 5 year' visa which are detailed on the costs page.

Reporting changes to SIT

As soon as sponsorship is issued the Home Office expects changes to an individual's appointment to be reported to them. These reporting duties commence as soon as the CoS is issued, and last until we cease sponsoring the individual.

It is important departments, faculties and colleges review the details on the During Sponsorship page relating to changes in a Skilled Worker role and absences from work, so they understand what information needs to be reported to the Staff Immigration Team.