Global Talent Visa (GTV)
The Global Talent visa route is available for talented and promising academics, researchers and specialists who are working in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, the social sciences or the humanities. Applying for a Global Talent visa is a two stage process and must be undertaken by the applicant. Further information about this route can be found on the
Global Talent Visa Page.
Skilled Worker Visa (SWV)
If we have made you a job offer and you do not have the right to work in the UK then the most common route for you to get the right to work in the UK is under a Skilled Worker visa. The Skilled Worker visa is a sponsored route, meaning you can only work for the University in the role for which you were offered. Individuals holding either Tier 2 visa (issued before 1 December 2020) or a Skilled Worker Visa are subject to the University's sponsor licence duties. To qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, the individual must score a minimum number of points. Further information about this route can be found on the
Skilled Worker Visa Page.
Tier 4/Student Visa
If you already hold a Tier 4/Student visa, you are permitted to undertake limited employment in addition to your studies. However, legal restrictions apply on your ability to work as directed by UKVI and even greater work restrictions may apply depending upon which Higher Education Institution you attend. For full details of the restrictions that will apply to you if you wish to work, please see visit: University's HR Immigration Webpages
Note: Students on Tier 4/Student visas who have completed their course can apply to move onto a Skilled Worker Visa if they have been made a job offer.
Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme
The Doctorate Extension Scheme allows completing PhD students to stay and work in the UK for up to one year after the completion of their studies. During this time, or before their visa expires, they can switch into the Skilled Worker visa. The University’s
International Student Office can provide more information about this route.
| Skilled Worker Visa Loan Scheme |
| Current and prospective staff members have access to the Visa Loan Scheme, which provides loans of up £8,000 to use towards meeting the costs associated with the Skilled Worker visas for staff members and their dependents. Full details including the application procedure and eligibility criteria can be found here. |
Temporary Worker - Government Authorised Exchange (T5) Visa
The T5 (GAE) visa category is for those individuals coming to the United Kingdom through approved schemes that aim to share knowledge, experience and best practice through work placements, whilst experiencing the wider social and cultural setting of the United Kingdom.
As a Higher Education Institution, the University of Cambridge is permitted to use GAE (T5) to host temporary sponsored researchers'. In order to gain this visa, you must score a minimum number of points against required criteria:
GAE (T5) visa - Are you eligible?
Tier 5 (GAE) can also be used by individuals undertaking:
• formal research project or collaboration
• a period of work-based training / work experience / internship / placement
• skill development/knowledge transfer
• a series of lectures, which doesn’t amount to a formal teaching post
• external examinations
Please note the GAE visa route cannot be used to fill any role which is deemed to be a vacancy at the University.
Visitor Visas
The University of Cambridge welcomes visitors from across the world to undertake a variety of academic activities, including conducting research, giving lectures and acting as examiners. To determine the appropriate visa for your required visit, we would advise first reading our quick reference guide to Visa for Visiting Academics.
If the activity or reason for the visit is not covered within the above guidance, please contact your hosting department for further advice. Please include full details of the proposed visit. More detailed information on each visitor visa route can be found below:
