Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

ATAS is for applicants studying specific technology-related fields who require immigration permission to study in the UK

ATAS may be required for applicants who require immigration permission to study in the UK. This includes those who require a Student visa, a Skilled Worker visa, a Dependant visa and many other visa categories. You may be required to obtain an ATAS certificate before you can enrol, even if you will only study in the UK for a short time (e.g. if you are a visiting research student). If you are required to obtain an ATAS certificate to study in the UK, please ensure you carry this certificate and any other relevant documentation in your hand luggage to assist UKVI officers at the border.
Our admissions staff will inform you if the programme you will study on requires ATAS clearance, based on the CAH3 code for that programme. Please do not apply for your ATAS certificate until you have received your offer letter from the University, so you can ensure the course title and other details are correct in your ATAS application. If you need an ATAS certificate but have not obtained one, or if any of the details are incorrect, your enrolment may be delayed.

1. What is ATAS?
The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) is a vetting process managed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for courses where students’ knowledge could be used in programmes to develop Advanced Conventional Military Technology (ACMT), weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) or their means of delivery. It has been in place since 2007 and mostly relates to DPhil and MScRes courses in Science, Technology and Medicine and a few postgraduate taught masters.

2. How do I know if I need to apply?
New students: Your offer letter should explain if you need to apply for ATAS and it will also be stated on your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).
If you will be studying a subject requiring ATAS on a visa type other than Student, for example as a Dependant or short term visitor, you will still need an ATAS certificate before you start the study.
You do not need an ATAS certificate if one of the following applies to you:
  • if you have indefinite leave to remain (ILR)
  • you have pre-settled or settled status granted under the EU Settlement Scheme
  • you are a national of a country listed here: When you don’t need an ATAS certificate
Enrolled students: If you hold existing immigration permission in the UK, you may be required to obtain a new ATAS. See Q&A number 4.
ATAS must be applied for and granted before you make any changes to allow continued enrolment. Check here for exemptions: When you don’t need an ATAS certificate
Postgraduate research distance learning students: If you are studying a subject requiring ATAS and need to visit the UK to meet with your supervisor occasionally or attend an assessment (such as your viva voce examination), you will need to apply for ATAS in advance of your visit.

3. When should I apply?
As soon as you can!
Before you can apply for ATAS, you will need your offer letter containing essential information about your course, the course start and end dates and a subject code (CAH3 code) that you must use for the ATAS online form. For postgraduate research students you will need an agreed research statement from your supervisor.
You do not need to wait until your offer is unconditional to apply, and you can apply before your CAS is issued to save time. ATAS applications can take a long time: expect at least 20 working days, or 30 working days or longer during the busy period from April to September.
If you are approved for ATAS clearance you will receive a certificate by email that is valid for six months to use with a visa application. You can apply for your visa once you are within six months before your course start date if applying outside the UK, or 3 months if applying in UK where allowed, for a new/second course or to complete a started course.

4. When would I need to apply for a new ATAS certificate?
You will need to apply again for a new ATAS in these circumstances:
  • if your course end date is delayed by 3 months or more
  • if you apply for a further visa because you need more time to complete your current course
  • if you are applying for a visa to start a new course
  • if you are switching visa categories e.g. Student visa to Skilled Worker
  • if the content of your course changes
  • if your primary supervisor changes
  • if your financial sponsor or conditions for financial sponsorship change at any time during your study or research.
If your ATAS application is severely delayed, or you think you have made a mistake when you submitted it, do not submit a second application unless you are specifically instructed by the ATAS team to reapply.

5. How long do ATAS applications take and is there a priority service?
During the summer period (April to September) the processing time is 30 working days or longer, and about 20 working days during the rest of the year. In July and August (the busiest months for ATAS) we frequently see longer delays. The ATAS team deal with applications in date order and there is no priority service.

6. Can you help if my ATAS certificate is delayed?
If you submitted your application between April and September and you have been waiting for more than 40 working days (8 weeks), or you applied at another time of year and have been waiting more than 30 working days, we can check by emailing the ATAS team ATAS@fcdo.gov.uk, but we cannot expedite the application.
Email studentimmigrationadvice@plymouth.ac.uk with ‘ATAS delay’ in the subject line and give us your name and student number, your ATAS application reference number, the date you applied for ATAS, whether you have received any communications from the ATAS team and why the application has now become urgent (for example you are running out of time for applying for your visa).

7. Can I apply for ATAS certificates for different courses at the same time?
You can submit multiple ATAS applications for different courses or research areas at different HEI’s consecutively, however the system will not accept duplicate applications.

8. How do I apply and can I get help completing the form?
The Gov.UK application form is online and will take about an hour to complete:

9. What should I do if I realise I have made a mistake in the application after I have submitted it?
Do not submit a new application to try to rectify your mistake (unless the ATAS team specifically instructs you to do so). Instead, we suggest that you email the ATAS team ATAS@fcdo.gov.uk with your application reference number and passport number, explain where you think you have made the mistake and provide the correct information. Follow any instructions in their reply. Check your certificate when you receive it to make sure the details are correct.

10. I am a continuing student needing to make a further visa application to finish my studies, but I am only writing up, do I need a new ATAS?
Yes, you need a new ATAS certificate for every student visa application until you have completed your course. You will still need to provide a research statement, but you can explain that you are at the writing-up stage.

11. Do I have to apply for ATAS if I am a dual national (and one of my nationalities is exempt from the requirement?)
No, you would be exempt from the requirement. However, if you are applying for your visa using a passport of a non-exempt country, you will need to make sure that you provide proof of your exempt nationality as well. You should ask the Doctoral College to include a note on your CAS so that it is clear when you make your visa application why you are not including an ATAS certificate.

12. What should I do if ATAS is refused?
If your ATAS application has been refused you will only be able to submit a new application for the same course once 90 days has passed from the date of the email from FCDO notifying you of the refusal.
For national security reasons the ATAS team will not explain either to the applicant or the University why the ATAS clearance was refused so it is not possible for us to advise or speculate on the reason for refusal. You should talk to your supervisor about any concerns the ATAS team might have about your research project description.

13. Do I need to reapply if my funding has changed while I am waiting for the certificate?
Email the ATAS team ATAS@fcdo.gov.uk and explain the change in your funding, and any other significant changes. If you put in your application less than 20 working days ago, you may not receive a reply to your email until that time has passed, and it normally takes at least 5 working days to get a response.
Do not submit a new application because of the change unless the ATAS team instruct you to do so.
When you first make your application, you should include details of funding you have applied for but have not yet had a decision on.