About us and what we do

The SIT remit includes:

Advice and assistance related to the following UK work visa routes: Global Talent, Skilled Worker and Tier 5 (Government Authorised Exchange) visa
Information about sponsorship by the University of Oxford, documents and requirements for this process
Visa renewals
Changing visa status (switching from one visa category to another; change of sponsors)
Assistance and tailored advice about refused applications, lost documents, issues and complications during visa applications
Advice on visa terms and conditions
Advice on right to work issues for different visa categories
Guidance on the requirements and application process for Indefinite Leave to Remain/settlement
Guidance on the requirements and application process for EEA Registration Certificates and Permanent Residence
Any other immigration and/or nationality related guidance, advice or assistance

Where assistance is required which is outside the SIT current remit, they will provide links to sources of relevant information: the Home Office and/or external legal advice.

SIT provides advice and assistance in good faith based on information provided by the visa applicants and their employing/host department or college. It is therefore essential to provide them with all information and documents which are or might be relevant to each particular immigration case. They cannot accept responsibility for any negative decisions made on the basis of information not disclosed to them.

In the event of a negative decision by the Home Office, SIT will either use their best efforts to resolve the matter, or alternatively refer the individuals to external bodies who can assist them.

A detailed breakdown of various areas of responsibility for Immigration and Right to Work, and how they are split between the Staff Immigration Team and departments/colleges, is provided in the Immigration and Right to Work Roles & Responsibilities document.

Expand All

Regulation of Immigration Advice and Services

Fees

The advice and assistance provided by the Staff Immigration Team is free of charge.

Visa application fees, Immigration Health Surcharge and other costs related to visa applications are to be met by the individuals applying for a visa. The employing/host department or college may reimburse visa fees to the applicant at their discretion. Information about this can be found in the Reimbursement Policy

The cost of issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), as well as cost of the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC), if applicable, is born by the department/college requesting the CoS.

Liaison with External Organisations

In some circumstances it may be appropriate to discuss a case with external organisations such as the Home Office or the University’s external legal advisor. The Staff Immigration Team aims to discuss cases anonymously with other external organisations, however when special assistance is required, the individual may need to disclose certain personal information (such as name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, etc.). When this is required, SIT must comply with the GDPR and related UK data protection legislation and will therefore seek written agreement from the individual before taking any action.

Conflict of Interest and Withdrawals

Complaints

If at any stage you have any concerns regarding the conduct of your case, please raise them with your advisor in writing. If you are not satisfied with the response from your advisor you may contact the Team Leader of the Staff Immigration Team (james.baker@admin.ox.ac.uk) who will provide an initial written response within a reasonable timeframe.

If we are unable to resolve the matter to your satisfaction or you wish to pursue your complaint through other channels, you are entitled to raise it through the IAA Complaints Scheme. Their address is IAA Complaints Team, PO Box 567, Dartford, DA1 9WX.

Service Level Agreement

SIT adheres to the following Service Level Agreement;

1. Determining the appropriate visa type, including whether or not the role may be sponsorable under the Skilled Worker visa route, once all relevant information and details of the chosen candidate are provided by the department, faculty or college, or replying back to the originator with requests for further information, within 3 working days.

2. Acknowledging receipt of a Skilled Worker, Global Talent, and Tier 5, internal application forms submitted by the department, faculty or college within 3 working days.

3. Review all visa applications requests and either reply requesting further required information or send details to the chosen candidate to allow them to apply for their visa within 10 working days.

4. Responding to questions and queries regarding visa loan and visa reimbursement within 3 working days.

5. Once all required information is provided send details to the chosen candidate to allow them to apply for their visa within 3 working days.

6. Respond to any request by chosen candidate to check draft visa applications within 5 working days.

Please note the team cannot guarantee the above Service Level Agreement due to the following circumstances: