The evidence report is based on literature reviews and data between 2010 and 2024. These sources were identified through online searches, engaging with various organisations for guidance and utilising existing UKRI data providers, such as the Higher Education Statistical Agency (HESA).

It aims to summarise the latest evidence on the research questions from the identified sources and will be updated as new information and data becomes available. A variety of sources have been used from reputable sources (for example, OECD, EU commission and Elsevier). Any analysis done internally has been quality assured.

Evidence prior to this time period has been removed to ensure that the evidence accurately reflects the landscape. An exception to this rule is if the point made by the evidence source is not specific to that time period, and is useful from a general perspective on R&D mobility.

Definitions

The Immigration Health Surcharge: the surcharge is an upfront cost paid as a part of the visa application and grants the visa holder access to free health services in the UK. The surcharge is calculated based on the length of visa being applied for.

Definitions based on the International Comparative Performance of the UK Research Base report
See the International Comparative Performance of the UK Research Base report
Migratory mobility pattern: researchers who stay abroad or in the UK for two years or more.
Transitory mobility pattern or temporary mobility pattern: researchers who stay abroad or in the UK for less than two years.

Definitions based on OECD Glossary of Statistical Terms
See the OECD Glossary of Statistical Terms
Researchers: professionals engaged in the conception or creation of new knowledge, products processes, methods, and systems, and in the management of the projects concerned.
Research personnel: all persons employed directly on research and development [activities], as well as those providing direct services such as research and development managers, administrators, and clerical staff.
Technicians: persons whose main tasks require technical knowledge and experience in one or more fields of engineering, physical and life sciences, or social sciences and humanities. They participate in research and development (R&D) by performing scientific and technical tasks involving the application of concepts and operational methods, normally under the supervision of researchers. Equivalent staff perform the corresponding R&D tasks under the supervision of researchers in the social sciences and humanities.

Definition derived from What is Field-weighted Citation Impact from Scopus
See What is Field-weighted Citation Impact from Scopus
Field-weighted citation impact: the ratio of the total citations actually received by the denominator’s output, and the total citations that would be expected based on the average of the subject field.

UKRI’s approach to Global Mobility

The UK immigration system must support the attraction, retention, and development of those who lead, undertake and support research and innovation. This includes mobility – inward and outward – for both long-term migration with routes to indefinite leave to remain and short visits for knowledge exchange, conferences, training, and research collaboration. It is important that UKRI enables a diversity of individuals to easily transition not only between roles, but also between institutions, academia, and industry, and across national boundaries.

The UKRI Global Mobility team, as part of the Research and Innovation Culture and Environment team, works to create the conditions to improve the culture and environment of the UK research and innovation system. We do this by synthesising and analysing evidence and effective practices from across the R&I system, to derive insight and to develop interventions, which are then jointly delivered to improve the UK’s R&I culture and environment.

We aim to improve the international and cross-sectoral mobility of researchers and their teams by developing existing schemes, including the Global Talent and short-term visa schemes, and through identifying new opportunities to support career progression, broaden access to skills, and build national and international networks. This includes addressing key barriers to the international mobility of researchers and their teams to ensure the immigration system acts as facilitator to mobility. We are particularly aware of high comparative and upfront costs of UK visa fees and continue to work with the government to improve our approach to attracting global talent to the UK.

A critical part of attracting international research talent to the UK is to clearly communicate what the UK can offer and ensure concise information on the available routes is easily accessible. UKRI continue our engagement efforts to improve awareness of and information on the Global Talent and Temporary Worker Government Authorised Exchange visa routes for UK host organisations, and profile researchers’ own stories of moving to the UK. We are also partners to the UK’s GREAT talent campaign and website to promote and facilitate mobility of research and innovation experts to the UK through providing information on funding and visas in clear language.

UKRI have several mechanisms that facilitate outward mobility, including international fellowships, exchange schemes, and travel grants.

Working with partners on international postgraduate (PGR) student mobility

Recognising the successful work of other organisations in the research sector on international student mobility policy, UKRI will be continuing to take a primarily convening role in international PGR student mobility in this coming year. This includes sharing of information and issues arising in the area and supporting evidence gathering efforts to improve understanding. This year UKRI have also financially supported a Universities UK International commissioned study on the non-financial contribution of international postgraduate students.

UKRI remain supportive of the Russell Group’s efforts in actively leading on collating information on the suitability of the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) and we continue to feed in additional evidence that is brought to our attention. We recognise the importance of the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) security screening programme in protecting the outputs of the UK’s research base. However, it must operate efficiently and should not result in research being delayed.