Visa costs

The report says upfront UK visa costs are a major deterrent to international researcher mobility, including application fees, dependent fees, and the Immigration Health Surcharge; it also notes that total upfront costs are higher than in the comparator countries it cites^[1].

Processing delays

The report identifies the length of the UK visa process as a primary barrier, and says delays in Academic Technology Approval Scheme checks can be the single biggest cause of delays for some researchers^[2].

Administrative burden

Administrative complexity is presented as another barrier: researchers describe visa application forms as complex and lengthy, and employers say overseas recruitment can create substantial HR and liaison work^[3].

Short-term versus long-term mobility

UKRI is described as supporting both long-term migration routes with paths to settlement and short visits for knowledge exchange, conferences, training, and collaboration; the report also says short-term mobility is often handled through Government Authorised Exchange and sponsored researcher routes^[4].

The evidence base is said to focus more on long-term mobility, with more work still needed on short-term arrangements and on how visa costs and rules shape movement decisions^[5].

Mobility policy, attraction, and retention

The report treats mobility policy as part of the UK’s talent offer: it says the UK must remain competitive for talent, that routes such as Global Talent can make the UK more attractive to live and work in, and that the research system needs to attract, retain, and develop the right workforce^[6][7].