This page aims to document the specific steps needed to get a non-EU visitor into the Lab and paid from an internal grant. It's meant for Interns/Visitors, and not full time hires.
Please note that 'intern' is a loaded term and I typically avoid using it when dealing with the University -- though I use it freely with academic colleagues.
After much research and after attending an immigration course, it seems the Tier 5 Visa is the best way to get Interns/Visitors a work permit for the UK. These would need to be 'PhD-level' individuals, but that doesn't mean they must have PhDs. It's that the work must be of that level (i.e. highly skilled).
In order to apply for a work permit, the Visitor must have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The University can provide a CoS, if we meet the relevant criteria and perform the correct incantations. These incantations cannot begin more than 3 months before the Visitor's start date. More details are on the University's HR site for Tier 5 visas and the Government's Tier 5 website is also helpful.
You should be aware that:
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A Tier 5 Visa must not be used to fill an 'advertised' position (i.e. a 'vacancy'). This makes it incompatible with Tier 2 visas and practically, it means you must not advertise internships as jobs.
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A Visitor cannot be 'self-funded'. Money must come from somewhere to pay them. In my case, it's from our own grants.
You will need to have the following:
- A copy of the Visitor's CV
- A scan of the Visitor's Passport (but see Step 2 before you do anything!)
- A grant code to be billed on for the CoS (£14)
- Knowledge of what the Visitor is going to be paid
- The partially completed CoS application form
- The partially completed funder's letter
You will need to complete the last two documents yourself before anything can be sent off.
There are a bunch of things you need to fill in. To minimise back-and-forth, send the following to the Visitor.
In order to fulfil the Right to Work in the UK, we have to get you a
Tier 5 visa. That means the University has to issue a Certificate of
Sponsorship (CoS), which you then use as part of your visa
application process.In order to get this CoS, I need to get the
following information from you. Please can you send it to me in
*one* email.
- Items I need to for the CoS:
- A copy of your CV
- A scan of your passport (photo page only)
- Your place of birth
- Your country of birth
- Country from which you'll apply for the Tier 5 Visa
- Current residential address
- Confirm the Start and End dates (we should already have discussed this)
In terms of completing the CoS application form. You may find the following information helpful.
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The SoC Code for a Computer Science will be '2119'. I looked through them all and this is the only one that appears to make sense for the Lab.
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The description of work doesn't need to be very long. A paragraph should be enough (i.e. you don't need to copy/paste huge amounts of information here)
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The number of points must add up to 40. This is always achieved if:
- the Visitor has a CoS (30 points)
- the Visitor can certify maintenance costs. Either via:
- demonstrating they've had at least £945 available for 90 consecutive days (10 points)
- you certifying that you'll cover maintenance for the individual if needed - £945 (10 points)
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The grant code is needed only to cover the cost of the CoS (£14). It's not the grant you expect the Visitor to be paid from.
In the funder's letter, you need to complete the details that are in bold capitals. It should be self-explanatory
For calculating the total funding the Visitor receives, I use the TES pay grades and multiply up accordingly.
In other words, send all of the completed docs to the email address at the end of the application form (in one email!). You should also cc Caroline (Dept. Secretary) as she would like to know of any such visitors at the beginning of this process. Not at the end. At the same time, complete the Department's Visitors Database.
Once a CoS has been issued, the Visitor will have to apply for a Tier 5 visa themselves (if you wish, you can reimburse them once they're here - remind them to keep receipts). This will cost them about £225 for the Visa and another £250 for the 'Healthcare surcharge' (i.e. healthcare cover). Although it should go smoothly at this point, ask them to keep you informed about the their process. I send the following:
Please find attached the Certificate of Sponsorship you will need for
your Tier 5 Visa application. Please keep me informed about your visa
progress. You will also be contacted by the University's Temporary
Employment Service (TES), to arrange an appointment to check your Right
to Work and arrange payroll for you. When you arrive, you will have to
see them in person before you can start work.
After some pain and headaches due to me (inadvertently) creating a test case, the University seems to have settled on the idea that Visitors on a Tier 5 Visa can be paid via TES (who will check the Right to Work and arrange payrolling). This is exactly the same as for the EU Visitors that I have (and pay for). You just need to complete the TES Payroll form and they will take it from there. Do this at the same time as you send the CoS to the Visitor.
Bear in mind that we have responsibilities while someone is here on a Tier 5 Visa. Please make sure you are aware of them.