How to make an ATAS application

You can check if an ATAS certificate is required and apply online.

There is no charge for applying for an ATAS certificate.

Allow plenty of time for ATAS approval as decisions can take up to 5 months.

• Sponsored Skilled Workers and Temporary Workers (GAE) must obtain ATAS approval before a certificate of sponsorship can be issued.
• International visitors who will be carrying out research in certain subject areas must obtain ATAS approval before beginning any research. It is strongly recommended that as ATAS certifiate is obtained before planning any travel to the UK.

Hosting departments must provide researchers with the correct CAH3 code for the relevant subject area. A list of the relevant CAH3 codes is available.

In addition hosting departments must provide a statement of research for the researcher's ATAS application.This statement should be written from an academic perspective by a colleague with a detailed technical knowledge of the research activities to be undertaken. It is essential that the research statement accurately reflects all the activities that the researcher will carry out.

HR Compliance can help to identify the correct CAH3 code and provide research statement templates to hosting departments.

Hosting Departments must check that ATAS approval has been obtained by any international visitors undertaking relevant research, and a copy of the ATAS certificate must be obtained before allowing research activity to start. The ATAS certificate must be retained within the department for the duration of the visit. If an ATAS certificate is not provided, the visitor must not carry out any research activity.

Full guidance on the ATAS scheme is available from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.