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How to make an ATAS application

Explore the government guidance to check if you need an ATAS certificate. You can then make your application online.

Check if you need an ATAS certificate (gov.uk)

There is no charge for applying for an ATAS certificate.

Allow plenty of time for ATAS approval as decisions can take up to five 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 certificate is obtained before planning any travel to the UK.
  • Full guidance on the ATAS scheme (gov.uk)

Information for the hosting department

Hosting departments must provide researchers with the correct CAH3 code for the relevant subject area.

CAH3 subject area codes
  • CAH02-02-01 - Pharmacology
  • CAH02-02-02 - Toxicology
  • CAH02-02-03 - Pharmacy
  • CAH10-01-06 - Bioengineering, medical and Biomedical Engineering

Biological sciences

  • CAH03-01-02 - Biology (non-specific)
  • CAH03-01-03 - Ecology and Environmental Biology
  • CAH03-01-06 - Zoology
  • CAH03-01-04 - Microbiology and Cell Science
  • CAH03-01-05 - Plant Sciences
  • CAH10-03-05 - Biotechnology
  • CAH03-01-07 - Genetics
  • CAH02-05-03 - Biomedical Sciences (non-specific)
  • CAH03-01-08 - Molecular Biology, Biophysics and Biochemistry
  • CAH03-01-01 - Biosciences (non-specific)
  • CAH03-01-10 - Others in Biological Sciences

Veterinary sciences, agriculture and related subjects

  • CAH05-01-02 - Others in Veterinary Sciences
  • CAH06-01-02 - Agricultural sciences

Physical Sciences

  • CAH07-02-01 - Chemistry
  • CAH10-03-07 - Materials Science
  • CAH07-01-01 - Physics
  • CAH07-01-02 - Astronomy
  • CAH26-01-05 - Others in Geographical Studies
  • CAH07-04-01 - Physical Sciences (non-specific)
  • CAH07-04-03 - Sciences (non-specific)
  • CAH07-04-04 - Natural Sciences (non-specific)

Mathematical and computer sciences

  • CAH09-01-01 - Mathematics
  • CAH09-01-02 - Operational Research
  • CAH11-01-01 - Computer Science
  • CAH11-01-02 - Information Technology
  • CAH11-01-03 - Information Systems
  • CAH11-01-04 - Software Engineering
  • CAH11-01-05 - Artificial Intelligence

Engineering

  • CAH10-01-01 - Engineering (non-specific)
  • CAH10-01-07 - Civil Engineering
  • CAH10-01-02 - Mechanical Engineering
  • CAH10-01-04 - Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
  • CAH10-01-05 - Naval Architecture
  • CAH10-01-08 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • CAH10-01-09 - Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering

Technologies

  • CAH10-03-03 - Polymers and Textiles
  • CAH10-03-01 - Minerals Technology
  • CAH10-03-02 - Materials Technology
  • CAH10-03-04 - Maritime Technology

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.

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ATAS overview