If you are planning to move to the UK, you may have to apply for a visa.
Staff
The University of Oxford sponsors more visas for international staff than any other UK University. It has a dedicated Staff Immigration Team who offer guidance and assistance with visa applications for those employed by and visiting the University.
Your employing department/college, with assistance from the Staff Immigration Team, will advise which visa route is appropriate and the Staff Immigration Team will assist you as much as possible with your application, and advise on what records you and your employer will need to keep while you are here.
Students
The Student Immigration Team and college administrators will provide guidance on obtaining the appropriate student visa, depending on the type and duration of your course. They can also assist with visa renewals and applications for dependants, and advise on eligibility for other types of visa if you plan to work in the UK after completing your course.
On arrival
When entering the UK on a visa for the first time, you may be issued with only a digital visa, but if you are issued a temporary vignette in your passport, valid for 90 days, you will need to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from a designated Post Office branch, normally on St Aldates in the city centre.
As BRPs are being phased out at the end of 2024, if you are issued a BRP it will list a ‘valid until’ date of 31 December 2024 and you will need to view your visa details online to see your actual later visa expiry date. You will rely on your online visa details from January 2025 onwards when your BRP expires.
It is important that visa holders are aware of and comply with the conditions of their visa (e.g. travel restrictions, right to work, and recourse to public funds). The University's immigration teams hold regular briefings to keep you up to date with any changes in visa regulations and reporting requirements.
Right to work checks
As part of normal pre-employment screening, you will be asked to present original documents [please note that copies cannot be accepted], or a sharecode to show your visa details, to establish your right to work in the UK before any work commences . This check applies to anyone starting new employment in the UK, whether or not they require a visa, and includes any part-time employment for students. The checks must be carried out by your new employer on or before your first working day. If you presented your vignette as part of your right to work check, you will normally need to collect your BRP before you can view your visa details online and generate a sharecode which your employer will need to complete an online right to work check.
