The main purpose of the visit will be for the visitor to undertake their own research project in collaboration with the host department or college at the University of Oxford. Before the CoS can be issued, the Immigration Adviser must be satisfied that the visitor is not coming to work on part of already on-going research, and that they are not filling an advertised position at the University.
To provide an overview of the research project they will be working on, every visitor will need to provide a project plan (1-2 pages long) to their host department or college. This document must be included in the CoS application sent to SIT.
The plan should also include a bulleted list of the research activities they will be undertaking. These activities will be entered on the CoS to show the Home Office exactly what the sponsored researcher will be doing.
Please note that sponsorship cannot be issued where a researcher is working on and supporting a University-hosted project. The Tier 5 visa route may not be used to sponsor individuals who will be filling a vacancy in the UK or filling a department or college's normal staffing requirement.