Immigration Rules
Immigration Rules: Immigration Rules Appendix Atas Academic Technology Approval Scheme Atas
gov.uk change note: Updated to reflect Statement of Changes HC 217
Headline
The entire content of Immigration Rules Appendix ATAS has been removed, effectively abolishing the Academic Technology Approval Scheme requirements for sensitive subject study and research.
Changes in detail
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ATAS 1.1 — The requirement for ATAS certificates for postgraduate study in sensitive subjects has been completely removed. Previously required for courses leading to master's degrees, PhDs, other postgraduate qualifications, or overseas postgraduate study periods in specified subjects.
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ATAS 1.2 — The requirement for ATAS certificates for work route applications has been removed. Previously applied to Certificate of Sponsorship holders in 21 specific SOC 2020 occupation codes (including chemical scientists, biological scientists, engineers, R&D managers) when the role included PhD-level research in sensitive subjects.
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ATAS 2.1 — The ATAS condition requiring valid certificates before commencing study or research in sensitive subjects has been removed. Previously applied to UK postgraduate degrees, other postgraduate qualifications, overseas postgraduate study periods, and research activities at licensed student sponsors.
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ATAS 2.2 — The requirement for students to apply for new ATAS certificates within 28 days when course completion dates change by more than 3 months or course contents change has been removed.
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ATAS 3.1 — The list of 34 exempt countries (including Australia, Canada, EU member states, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and USA) has been removed as it is no longer relevant.
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ATAS 4.1 — The comprehensive list of sensitive academic subjects requiring ATAS approval has been removed, including all CAH codes covering subjects allied to medicine, biological sciences, veterinary sciences, physical sciences, mathematical and computer sciences, engineering, and technologies.
Practical implications
This represents a complete abolition of ATAS requirements. Practitioners should: - Stop advising clients about ATAS certificate requirements for Student route applications - Remove ATAS considerations from Skilled Worker, ICT, Global Business Mobility, Scale-up, and Temporary Work route advice - Note that pending applications requiring ATAS certificates may need reassessment - Update standard checklists and application templates to remove ATAS requirements - Inform current students and researchers that they are no longer subject to ATAS conditions or reporting requirements
All nationalities can now study sensitive subjects without security clearance, representing a significant liberalization of the immigration system.
Administrative changes
The document retains only the introductory definitions explaining what ATAS requirement, ATAS condition, and exemptions mean, but removes all operative provisions that would trigger these requirements.
Diff
@@ -1,12 +1,15 @@ The ATAS requirement means the applicant must obtain a valid ATAS certificate, issued by the Counter-Proliferation and Arms Control Centre, and to provide it with an application on Student, Skilled Worker, ICT, Global Business Mobility, Scale-up, Temporary Work – International Agreement and Temporary Work – Government Authorised Exchange routes to study or work as a researcher in any of the specified subjects listed in this Appendix. + The ATAS condition means that someone must obtain a valid ATAS certificate prior to commencing study or research in any of the specified subjects or fields of research. + A person is subject to the ATAS condition if they have been granted permission which allows study or work subject to the ATAS condition. + A person is exempt from the ATAS requirement and ATAS condition if they are a national of one of the countries listed in this Appendix. @@ -14,84 +17,83 @@ ## ATAS requirement - - - -ATAS 1.1. An applicant (who is not a national of a country listed at ATAS 3.1.) requires a valid ATAS certificate if the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned is a subject set out at ATAS 4.1. which: - - -(a) leads to a master’s degree; or - -(b) leads to a PhD; or - -(c) leads to another postgraduate qualification; or - -(d) is a period of study or research which is part of an overseas postgraduate qualification. - - - - - - - - - -ATAS 1.2. An applicant (who is not a national of a country listed at ATAS 3.1.) requires a valid ATAS certificate if they are applying in a work route which requires a Certificate of Sponsorship, that Certificate of Sponsorship is issued by a work sponsor that is also a licensed student sponsor, and the role set out in the Certificate of Sponsorship: - - -(a) is in one of the following SOC 2020 occupation codes: + + +- ATAS 1.1. An applicant (who is not a national of a country listed at ATAS 3.1.) requires a valid ATAS certificate if the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned is a subject set out at ATAS 4.1. which: + + +- (a) leads to a master’s degree; or + +- (b) leads to a PhD; or + +- (c) leads to another postgraduate qualification; or + +- (d) is a period of study or research which is part of an overseas postgraduate qualification. + + + + + + + + +- ATAS 1.2. An applicant (who is not a national of a country listed at ATAS 3.1.) requires a valid ATAS certificate if they are applying in a work route which requires a Certificate of Sponsorship, that Certificate of Sponsorship is issued by a work sponsor that is also a licensed student sponsor, and the role set out in the Certificate of Sponsorship: + + +- (a) is in one of the following SOC 2020 occupation codes: -• 2111 Chemical scientists - -• 2112 Biological scientists - -• 2113 Biochemists and biomedical scientists - -• 2114 Physical scientists - -• 2115 Social and humanities scientists - -• 2119 Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified - -• 2122 Mechanical engineers - -• 2123 Electrical engineers - -• 2124 Electronics engineers - -• 2125 Production and process engineers - -• 2126 Aerospace engineers - -• 2127 Engineering project managers and project engineers - -• 2129 Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified - -• 2161 Research and development (R&D) managers - -• 2162 Other researchers, unspecified discipline - -• 2311 Higher education teaching professionals - -• 3111 Laboratory technicians - -• 3112 Electrical and electronics technicians - -• 3113 Engineering technicians - -• 3114 Building and civil engineering technicians - -• 5234 Aircraft maintenance and related trades +- • 2111 Chemical scientists + +- • 2112 Biological scientists + +- • 2113 Biochemists and biomedical scientists + +- • 2114 Physical scientists + +- • 2115 Social and humanities scientists + +- • 2119 Natural and social science professionals not elsewhere classified + +- • 2122 Mechanical engineers + +- • 2123 Electrical engineers + +- • 2124 Electronics engineers + +- • 2125 Production and process engineers + +- • 2126 Aerospace engineers + +- • 2127 Engineering project managers and project engineers + +- • 2129 Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified + +- • 2161 Research and development (R&D) managers + +- • 2162 Other researchers, unspecified discipline + +- • 2311 Higher education teaching professionals + +- • 3111 Laboratory technicians + +- • 3112 Electrical and electronics technicians + +- • 3113 Engineering technicians + +- • 3114 Building and civil engineering technicians + +- • 5234 Aircraft maintenance and related trades -(b) includes an element of research at PhD level or above; and - -(c) that field of research is a subject set out at ATAS 4.1 - - - +- (b) includes an element of research at PhD level or above; and + +- (c) that field of research is a subject set out at ATAS 4.1 + + + + @@ -102,38 +104,36 @@ ## ATAS condition - - - -ATAS 2.1. The ATAS condition means the person (who is not a national of a country listed at ATAS 3.1), must have a valid ATAS certificate before commencing study (unless they are a student continuing a course of study and they have made, or intend to make within the required time period, an application required by ATAS 2.2) or research in a subject listed at ATAS 4.1 which: - - -(a) leads to a UK postgraduate degree; or - -(b) leads to another postgraduate qualification; or - -(c) is a period of study which is part of an overseas postgraduate qualification; or - -(d) is research as part of a course of postgraduate study, employment or academic activity at a licensed student sponsor. - - - - - - - - - -ATAS 2.2. A Student who intends to continue study on a course of study which is subject to the ATAS requirement must apply for a new ATAS certificate where: - - -(a) the completion date of the course of study has changed and will be delayed by more than 3 months; or - -(b) the course contents or research proposal of the course of study change, - - - -and the application for a new certificate must be made within 28 days of the change in (a) or (b) above being known to the Student. + + +- ATAS 2.1. The ATAS condition means the person (who is not a national of a country listed at ATAS 3.1), must have a valid ATAS certificate before commencing study (unless they are a student continuing a course of study and they have made, or intend to make within the required time period, an application required by ATAS 2.2) or research in a subject listed at ATAS 4.1 which: + + +- (a) leads to a UK postgraduate degree; or + +- (b) leads to another postgraduate qualification; or + +- (c) is a period of study which is part of an overseas postgraduate qualification; or + +- (d) is research as part of a course of postgraduate study, employment or academic activity at a licensed student sponsor. + + + + + + + + +- ATAS 2.2. A Student who intends to continue study on a course of study which is subject to the ATAS requirement must apply for a new ATAS certificate where: + + +- (a) the completion date of the course of study has changed and will be delayed by more than 3 months; or + +- (b) the course contents or research proposal of the course of study change, + + + +- and the application for a new certificate must be made within 28 days of the change in (a) or (b) above being known to the Student. @@ -142,87 +142,86 @@ ## Nationals who are exempt from the ATAS requirement and condition - - - -ATAS 3.1. A person does not need to meet the ATAS requirement, and will not be subject to the ATAS condition, if they are a national of any of the following countries: - - -Australia - -Austria - -Belgium - -Bulgaria - -Canada - -Croatia - -Republic of Cyprus - -Czech Republic - -Denmark - -Estonia - -Finland - -France - -Germany - -Greece - -Hungary - -Iceland - -Ireland - -Italy - -Japan - -Latvia - -Liechtenstein - -Lithuania - -Luxembourg - -Malta - -Netherlands - -New Zealand - -Norway - -Poland - -Portugal - -Republic of Korea - -Romania - -Singapore - -Slovakia - -Slovenia - -Spain - -Sweden - -Switzerland - -United States of America + + +- ATAS 3.1. A person does not need to meet the ATAS requirement, and will not be subject to the ATAS condition, if they are a national of any of the following countries: + + +- Australia + +- Austria + +- Belgium + +- Bulgaria + +- Canada + +- Croatia + +- Republic of Cyprus + +- Czech Republic + +- Denmark + +- Estonia + +- Finland + +- France + +- Germany + +- Greece + +- Hungary + +- Iceland + +- Ireland + +- Italy + +- Japan + +- Latvia + +- Liechtenstein + +- Lithuania + +- Luxembourg + +- Malta + +- Netherlands + +- New Zealand + +- Norway + +- Poland + +- Portugal + +- Republic of Korea + +- Romania + +- Singapore + +- Slovakia + +- Slovenia + +- Spain + +- Sweden + +- Switzerland + +- United States of America @@ -233,145 +232,144 @@ ## Academic Subjects relevant to ATAS - - - -ATAS 4.1. The ATAS requirement and ATAS condition apply to the following subjects: - -(a) research, or doctorates or master’s by research in: - - -Subjects allied to Medicine: - -CAH codes: - -CAH02-02-01 - Pharmacology - -CAH02-02-02 - Toxicology - -CAH02-02-03 - Pharmacy - -CAH10-01-06 - Bioengineering, Medical and Biomedical Engineering - -Biological Sciences: - -CAH codes: - -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: - -CAH codes: - -CAH05-01-02 - Others in Veterinary Sciences - -CAH06-01-02 - Agricultural sciences - -Physical Sciences: - -CAH codes: - -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: - -CAH codes: - -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: - -CAH codes: - -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: - -CAH codes: - -CAH10-03-03 - Polymers and Textiles - -CAH10-03-01 - Minerals Technology - -CAH10-03-02 - Materials Technology - -CAH10-03-04 - Maritime Technology - - - -(b) taught master’s in: - - -CAH codes: - -CAH10-03-07 - Materials Science - -CAH07-01-01 - Physics (including Nuclear Physics) - -CAH10-01-02 - Mechanical Engineering - -CAH10-01-04 - Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering - -CAH10-01-09 - Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering - -CAH10-03-01 - Minerals Technology - -CAH10-03-02 - Materials Technology + + +- ATAS 4.1. The ATAS requirement and ATAS condition apply to the following subjects: + +- (a) research, or doctorates or master’s by research in: + + +- Subjects allied to Medicine: + +- CAH codes: + +- CAH02-02-01 - Pharmacology + +- CAH02-02-02 - Toxicology + +- CAH02-02-03 - Pharmacy + +- CAH10-01-06 - Bioengineering, Medical and Biomedical Engineering + +- Biological Sciences: + +- CAH codes: + +- 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: + +- CAH codes: + +- CAH05-01-02 - Others in Veterinary Sciences + +- CAH06-01-02 - Agricultural sciences + +- Physical Sciences: + +- CAH codes: + +- 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: + +- CAH codes: + +- 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: + +- CAH codes: + +- 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: + +- CAH codes: + +- CAH10-03-03 - Polymers and Textiles + +- CAH10-03-01 - Minerals Technology + +- CAH10-03-02 - Materials Technology + +- CAH10-03-04 - Maritime Technology + + + +- (b) taught master’s in: + + +- CAH codes: + +- CAH10-03-07 - Materials Science + +- CAH07-01-01 - Physics (including Nuclear Physics) + +- CAH10-01-02 - Mechanical Engineering + +- CAH10-01-04 - Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering + +- CAH10-01-09 - Chemical, Process and Energy Engineering + +- CAH10-03-01 - Minerals Technology + +- CAH10-03-02 - Materials Technology