How To Get An ATAS Certificate In The UK

Did you know that you need an ATAS certificate to undertake some postgraduate, undergraduate, or research courses at a UK university? If the course you are enrolled in requires one, the ATAS credential must have the General Student Visa (Tier 4). Confused about what the credential is and what is involved in the ATAS process? Read on as we list all about the ATAS letter that you need to know before you apply for it to study in the UK.

What Is An ATAS Certificate?

All foreign students subject to UK immigration control who wish to study such ‘sensitive’ subjects in the UK are subject to the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). These ‘sensitive’ subjects cover the development or transportation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The scheme needs such students to get their ATAS UK visa certificate for gaining entry into the country.

Who Requires An ATAS Certificate In The UK?

Postgraduate/research students who are enrolled in specific courses in science, engineering, and technology and undergraduate students who take typical integrated master’s courses primarily need this certificate. For those students whose nationality is outside the EEA and Switzerland, ATAS is required and have opted for applicable ATAS courses.

Why Do Students Require An ATAS Certificate?

Since the relevant ATAS courses are sensitive, UK immigration law requires students to provide visa officials with their ATAS certificate information. This method was implemented by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to avoid the distribution of data used in WMD making. The ATAS UK visa certificate plays a significant role in the issuance of visas for students. While processing your visa application, the Entry Clearance Officer will claim an ATAS certificate. You will be refused a student visa if you fail to have your ATAS credentials.

What Is Included In The ATAS Certificate?

The ATAS credential will show the specifics of the course you are enrolling in and the enrollment you have applied for clearance from the Higher Education Institution (HEI) / university or college. Therefore, you will need separate ATAS credentials for each of the classes/universities to apply for more than one course or university.

How Do I Verify If I Need A Certificate From ATAS?

The course and university you have applied to depend on whether you need an ATAS credential. The available ATAS courses vary from university to university. Therefore, you need to contact your respective university or review their website to know if you need an ATAS certificate for your course. Also, universities sometimes mail the applicants well in advance about the criteria for an ATAS clearance.

When Can I Apply For My ATAS Certificate?

Ideally, students can apply for an ATAS certificate UK as early as possible, preferably 6-8 weeks before the course’s starting date. To process the certificate, the FCO takes a minimum of 30 days or even longer when there are peak months (June-September). Students are advised not to postpone the ATAS application process because they will still have to apply for the Confirmation Acceptance Studies (CAS) letter after receiving the certificate, which takes 20 days to process. It takes three weeks for the visa process itself. However, the ATAS certificate’s validity period is only six months, and you will have to reapply for a new ATAS certificate after the completion of this period unless you have begun the visa process by then. Make sure, however, that you do not continue with the ATAS application within six months of the starting date of the course.

While Filling In The Application Form, What Do I Need?

• Conditional offer letter
• Information about your research and study program plus CAH3 code (necessary)
• Previous academic documents
• Previous employment documents
• Published papers
• The funding source for education
• Optional modules you are preparing to undertake along with the master’s program
• Your area of research 
• Contact details and full names of the referees

ATAS Rejection Reasons

Your ATAS request may be denied, but this is not a normal phenomenon. Your application may be denied if you do not mention your research definition and statement explicitly and in detail. 

If My Certificate Is Denied, What Do I Do?

You should contact the FCO and ask them once again to check your application for an ATAS certificate in the UK. Or you may forward your questions first to the university as well. To know the appropriate steps to be taken to reapply for the ATAS credential, review the university’s website you are enrolled in or contact their admissions office.

Relevant things to remember:

• The issuance of an ATAS application does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.
• There are no charges for the ATAS program, which means you can get your ATAS certificate free of charge.

The ATAS letter processing time for the UK is at least 20 working days, failing which you find out the ATAS rejection reasons and check with the respective agency about the same.

FAQs

1. What is an ATAS certificate?

All foreign students subject to UK immigration control who wish to study such ‘sensitive’ subjects in the UK are subject to the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS). These ‘sensitive’ subjects cover the development or transportation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). 

2. Who requires an ATAS certificate?

Postgraduate/research students who are enrolled in specific courses in science, engineering, and technology and undergraduate students who take typical integrated master’s courses primarily need this certificate.

3. Do Indian students need ATAS certificate?

Yes, all international students irrespective of their country need an ATAS certificate. 

4. Can an ATAS certificate be rejected?

Your ATAS application can get rejected, however, it is not a usual occurrence. But if you do not mention your research description and statement clearly and in detail, your application may be rejected.

5. Can I apply for a UK Visa without an ATAS certificate?

If your course requires ATAS clearance, without an ATAS certificate you will not be granted a visa to study in the UK. Applications for visas to study on other courses that do not require ATAS clearance will be considered on a case-by-case basis.