Tier 5 (Government Authorised Exchange - Sponsored Researcher) visa
Under the Tier 5 (Government Authorised Exchange - Sponsored Researcher) visa route, academic institutions can sponsor those coming to the UK, on a temporary basis, to take part in one or more of the following activities:
- collaboration on University-hosted research where they are not filling an advertised position and the work is additional to the School/Faculty normal requirements
- give a lecture/lectures where they are not filling an advertised position and the work is additional to the School/Faculty normal requirements
- act as an external examiner, however, the Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visitor visa route may be more appropriate for academics solely acting as an external examiner
The Tier 5 (Government Authorised Exchange) visa allows researchers to come to the UK to conduct a supernumerary research project in collaboration with the host School at the University. The sponsored researcher's activities must be in addition to the hosting School/Faculty’s normal staffing requirements which means they cannot fill a vacancy or undertake duties that a University employee would be expected to do.
A Tier 5 (Government Authorised Exchange) visa holder cannot be self-funded or rely on savings for the duration of their stay. They must instead receive funding from their employer overseas, or from an external funding body, to cover their living costs in the UK for the whole duration of the visit.
The visa holder must receive funding which exceeds the hourly minimum wage in the UK.
The hosting Faculty will submit a Tier 5 Certificate of Sponsorship request to the HR Staff Immigration team. Once the HR Staff Immigration team are assured that all the necessary requirements have been met, a Tier 5 Certificate of Sponsorship will be issued.
The individual then submits a visa application to the Home Office for themselves and any dependants (partner, children under the age of 18) to be granted the Tier 5 visa.
The Home Office Tier 5 web page provides further details on eligibility, application fees and the visa requirements to be met, which can include tuberculosis screening and maintenance funds.
For more information regarding the Tier 5 visa route, please contact the HR Staff Immigration Team at (staff-immigration@nottingham.ac.uk).