Northumbria recognises the valuable contribution that all international colleagues bring and is committed to encourage, and invest in, a diverse range of colleagues from across the globe to be part of Northumbria’s community. The University recognises that immigration costs can be high and offers financial support to assist colleagues with their immigration fees.
This policy sets out the detail of the Immigration Fees Reimbursement Policy which is available specifically to support the reimbursement of personal immigration fees for new and existing international colleagues. Please also refer to the Immigration Fees Short-Term Loan Scheme which is available to international colleagues to provide financial assistance with other immigration fees for themselves and their dependents (i.e., fees not covered within this policy).
This policy is open to all new and existing international employees who are sponsored under a visa with a contract of 6 months or more.
The cost of a Certificate of Sponsorship is paid directly to UK Visa and Immigrations. Personal immigration fees for new staff are not subject to tax deduction. Immigration fees for existing staff are deemed taxable by HMRC, which means that deductions will be made for income tax and national insurance.
Additional immigration costs incurred by the employee including but not limited to postage fees; biometric processing fees; Police Registration fees; test fees; any priority or premium service fees; any travel costs to obtain the visa or have biometrics taken; or visas which are not under sponsorship.
Immigration fees incurred for dependents.
Reimbursement of immigration fees is managed by Human Resources and will be reimbursed to the employee upon production of their visa (or other documentation), valid proof of payment and completion of an expenses claim. Following approval, the fees will be reimbursed with either the individual’s next salary payment; or the first month’s salary payment after commencing employment.
Immigration fees reimbursement is offered on the condition that employees agree to repay some, or all, of the amount paid if they resign within 3 years of receiving the payment. In making a claim under the Scheme it is a requirement that employees accept this condition. The amount repayable is as follows:
| Period from reimbursement | Amount to be repaid (as % of total amount paid) |
| Leaving within 12 months | 100% |
| Leaving within 12-24 months | 50% |
| Leaving within 24-36 months | 25% |
Immigration reimbursement is discretionary and it is not a contractual entitlement. The University reserves the right to amend or withdraw it at any time.
The tax treatment of immigration reimbursement may change as a result of changes to HMRC legislation.
Use the Expenses Claim form to claim reimbursement for immigration fees.
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