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Human Resources

Visa Financial Support

Queen Mary University of London has a vibrant international community. Our International staff form a key part of the University.  As the cost of immigrating to the UK increases, Queen Mary wishes to provide financial assistance to our international staff coming to and working in the UK.

To assist staff in paying for the UK immigration costs Queen Mary offers two schemes:

  • A visa reimbursement scheme for staff who have applied for Skilled Worker or Global Talent Visas to work at Queen Mary.
  • An interest free loan scheme to pay for the cost of other visa routes. 

Costs not covered by the scheme

Please note that these schemes set out the immigration costs that are covered by the University.  Costs that are not expressly covered by these schemes cannot be claimed under either relocation or through expenses. 

Visa Reimbursement Scheme

As of 1st February 2025

The Visa Reimbursement Scheme offers full reimbursement of the visa fee and immigration health surcharge costs for the Global Talent and the Skilled Worker visas.

The scheme is available to Queen Mary employees whether employed on an open-ended or fixed term contract, and applicable to new and existing staff.

Visa Costs Covered

 The following visa and associated costs are covered by the scheme:

  • The Global Talent Visa (visa application fee and immigration health surcharge (up to a maximum of 3 years’ worth)) and;
  • The Skilled Worker Visa (visa application fee and immigration health surcharge (up to a maximum of 3 years’ worth)) and;

And applies to:

  • new employees with Global Talent/Skilled Worker visas ;
  • current employees renewing (see Visa Renewal Request Section) Global Talent/Skilled Worker visas and;
  • employees switching from another visa category into the Global Talent/Skilled Worker visa route (e.g. those on a Tier 4/Student Route visa or a dependents visa).

Only Global Talent visas issued to facilitate employment at Queen Mary will be reimbursed. Global Talent visas issued prior to or for employment not directly connected to Queen Mary are not covered by this scheme.

No other visa costs – other than those described above- are covered by this scheme, including any visa costs associated to applications made in respect to dependant(s) and/or family members.

(a separate interest free loans scheme is available to assist with other related immigration cost and can be found below)

Making a Claim

The employee will be required to pay for visa expenses incurred at the time of making a visa application. On commencement of employment at Queen Mary and after completion of the required right to work checks, the employee may submit a claim for reimbursement.

Claim forms must be submitted directly to Human Resources (details are included on the form), attaching the relevant receipts.   Payment will be made by BACS directly into the employee’s bank account at the earliest opportunity, on receipt of the completed claim form and associated receipts. 

Please Note: The cost of any expenses not covered by the policy will be deducted from your claim. Any cost not stated above are not covered by the scheme, this includes but is not limited to the use of premium services and UKVCAS appointment fees. 

Tax and National Insurance Implications

As the reimbursement of visa fees is classed as earnings by the UK tax authority, the University must deduct tax and national insurance contributions (NICs), where appropriate.

For those new to the UK you may qualify for tax exemption. This will be confirmed to you following completion of the claim form. The tax treatment of visa reimbursement may change to take account of revised tax guidance.

Other Conditions

The University’s visa reimbursement scheme is not contractual and the University reserves the right to amend or withdraw the scheme at any time.

Visa Loan Scheme

The scheme offers an interest-free loan to support international employees with the financial impact of visa application costs that are not covered by the Visa Reimbursement Scheme.  The loan is available to help spread the impact of costs associated with the NHS surcharge and visa application costs for immediate dependents for applications made since 1 May 2018.

For the purpose of the loan, “immediate dependents” refers to the following: husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried or same sex partner, and children aged 18 or under at time of application.

How much can be borrowed?

You must only request the amount you actually need and you will be required to provide evidence of the actual amount paid to UKVI and so you should retain a copy of your payment receipts.

You can borrow up to £10,000 or a lesser amount depending on a repayment affordability assessment (see below). The loan can be made without tax and NI consequences to the employee.  It should be noted that where the total of any loans (including season ticket loans) exceeds £10,000, there will be tax implications for the individual.

Making a claim

Please complete the below loan claim form and return it to HR.  The below loan repayment calculator can be used to calculate the repayment amounts

Visa Loan Scheme Claim Form [DOC 88KB]

Loan Repayment Calculator [XLS 18KB]

How will I receive the money?

The loan will be processed by Payroll and paid as a lump sum with your monthly salary.

How is the loan repaid?

The sum borrowed will be recovered through monthly deductions from your salary over a 12 month period, as specified by you. If you have a fixed term contract which ends prior to the duration selected, Payroll will adjust the repayments to the remaining duration of your contract.

Should your employment at the University come to an end before the loan has been fully repaid, any remaining balance will be recovered from your salary payments during your notice period.

If the final balance of your loan is greater than your salary in your notice period, you will be expected to repay the total outstanding balance before your contractual end date.

Other Conditions

The University’s visa reimbursement scheme is not contractual and the University reserves the right to amend or withdraw the scheme at any time.

 

Find out more

Visa Reimbursement Scheme

Full details of the Visa Reimbursement Scheme are detailed in the following document: 

Visa Reimbursement Scheme V5 [PDF 120KB]

To make a claim please complete the below claim form and return it via email to hrvisafees@qmul.ac.uk, together with copies of the relevant receipts.

Visa Reimbursement Claim Form V8 [DOC 100KB]

Visa Loan Scheme

Full details of the Visa Loan Scheme are detailed in the following document: 

Visa Loan Scheme [PDF 81KB]

To make a claim please complete the below claim form and return it via email to hrvisafees@qmul.ac.uk, together with copies of the relevant receipts.

Visa Loan Scheme Claim Form [DOC 88KB]

 

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