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When and how to apply

You must apply for your ATAS certificate before you apply for your visa to study in the UK. You should apply as soon as you can as decisions on applications can take at least six weeks, and some applications take longer. There is no 'fast-track' service.

You will also need to make an ATAS application if:

• you are changing to an ATAS registered course
• you are returning from a leave of absence
• your original course end date is extended by more than three months.

For more information, read the UK government’s guidance on .

Research students

If you are a research student, you must work with your supervisor to create your statement of research.

Making minor changes to an ATAS application

Live applications

The ATAS team cannot update live applications. Applications should only be submitted after an application is complete. If you have made a mistake, you must withdraw and submit a new application. Decisions can take at least 6 weeks.

Certificate changes

ATAS will not amend certificates for any of the following:

• errors or omissions
• changing course dates
• changing course
• mistakes in passport number or dates

They will only amend passport details where applicants have received a new passport. Scan both your old and new passports, and email them to the ATAS team with the following title in your email's subject line:

'Insert your ATAS reference number here' - Certificate Change

You must ensure the information submitted in the application is correct.

Change to course dates

You must apply for a new ATAS certificate if your course end date is delayed by 3 months or more.

You can contact the ATAS team by emailing atas@fcdo.gov.uk. The ATAS team works from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. They aim to answer your email within 5 working days, but this may take longer during busy periods.

ATAS refusal

If your course requires an ATAS certificate and your ATAS application is refused, you will not be able to study in the UK without one.

Decisions about ATAS applications are made by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). For reasons of national security, the FCDO does not explain why an application has been refused. This means that neither you nor the University will be given a refusal reason, and the University cannot advise on how to make an appeal more likely to succeed.

You can appeal the decision by contacting the ATAS team at atas@fcdo.gov.uk.

What you can do for an appeal

• Check your original application was completed and accurate. You can email advint@st-andrews.ac.uk to request the University's ATAS application guide – this may help you identify if anything was missing or unclear.
• Your refusal may be related to your funding or proposed research area. Speak to your supervisor or scholarship provider to see if they can provide any advice. If relevant, ask your School for a supporting letter that addresses any particular areas of concern regarding activity that ATAS aims to prevent.
• Appeal your decision by emailing atas@fcdo.gov.uk, ensuring you submit supporting letters and anything that you think you may not have submitted on your original application. The appeal process can take time, so you should discuss with your School whether a later start date may be possible while you wait.

If you do not appeal or the appeal is unsuccessful, you must wait 90 days to reapply for an ATAS certificate for the same course or research at the same institution with the same CAH3 code.

You can apply again immediately for a different course or research area at our institution, or you can apply to a different higher education institution.