UK work visa sponsorship wait times with Network Rail

[KK2025]

Hi everyone
I recently attended a job interview for engineer position through route services at network rail. I am an international candidate and had informed NR prior to attending the interview that I would require UK visa sponsorship to carry out this role. The hiring manager confirmed that selection for the role is merit based and they would start looking into visa sponsorship if I was successful in the interview. On the 1st of April, I received confirmation from the hiring manager that I have been successful in the interview and that they are offering me a position on their team. I was ecstatic as this has been a dream of mine for several years. However it's already mid June and I haven't heard anything official back from NR. My last update from them was that the immigration team needs to give the go ahead before they can send an offer. Anyone on here has any idea how long this process would take? I'm concerned they might turn around and say they're not going to sponsor after all or that the position is no longer mine as it's already taken this long.

Ps. My salary band is well above the minimum threshold for visa sponsorship

 

[mk178]

Hi, Dot worry I attended around same time. 2 weeks ago they asked for some required documents.
Have you got any reply yet ??

 

[KK2025]

Hi mk178
Thanks for your response.
Similar situation- on May 14th, I was asked for my visa status and engineering qualification documentations. But it's been over a month since then and I haven't received any further information. When I emailed the recruitment team two weeks ago the status was the same that the immigration team needs to give the green light before an offer can be made. Have you heard anything perhaps or have any hints about how long this process could take?

 

[KK2025]

Update on this
I was recently contacted by NR with confirmation and they are going to send me my certificate of sponsorship soon.
If anyone is ever in the same situation as I am, please respond to this thread and I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have about network rail visa sponsorship.

 

[yh1257hfj]

Update on this
I was recently contacted by NR with confirmation and they are going to send me my certificate of sponsorship soon.
If anyone is ever in the same situation as I am, please respond to this thread and I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have about network rail visa sponsorship.

Congratulations! i think i am in the same situation. What do you advise in this situation? Should I contact the recruitment team?

 

[KK2025]

What was the last update you had from them and when?

 

[yh1257hfj]

What was the last update you had from them and …

 

[KK2025]

I kept in touch with my hiring manager who got the recruitment team to email me about updates when the time came. Don't worry this is a slower process than you might initially think. Just ask for an update every fortnight or so just for your own peace of mind which is what I did. The entire waiting period between my interview success and sponsorship confirmation was a little more than 3 months.

 

[yh1257hfj]

I kept in touch with my hiring manager who got the recruitment team to email me about updates when the time came. Don't worry this is a slower process than you might initially think. Just ask for an update every fortnight or so just for your own peace of mind which is what I did. The entire waiting period between my interview success and sponsorship confirmation was a little more than 3 months.

Thank you for the feedback.

 

[KFP]

Update on this
I was recently contacted by NR with confirmation and they are going to send me my certificate of sponsorship soon.
If anyone is ever in the same situation as I am, please respond to this thread and I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have about network rail visa sponsorship.

Hi, Congratulations on getting the COS. Hope you have started working with NR. It would be helpful if you could pls let me know wether we have to pay the application fee and IHS on our own or.

 

[KK2025]

Hi, Congratulations on getting the COS. Hope you have started working with NR. It would be helpful if you could pls let me know wether we have to pay the application fee and IHS on our own or.

Yes, unfortunately NR only covers the cost to get the CoS. Everything else has to be managed by the individual.

 

[yh1257hfj]

How long do you think it will take for me to get COS issued or call from them?

 

[KK2025]

This part was quite a long wait for me, I think it took around 6 to 8 weeks. But they will eventually get back to you don't worry. If they've asked for your documents that's a good sign that they intend to hire you.
Meanwhile make sure you let them know of your timelines, any notice periods and time you'll need for relocation,etc.

 

[yh1257hfj]

This part was quite a long wait for me, I think it took around 6 to 8 weeks. But they will eventually get back to you don't worry. If they've asked for your documents that's a good sign that they intend to hire you.
Meanwhile make sure you let them know of your timelines, any notice periods and time you'll need for relocation,etc.

Thank you so much for this information.

 

[KK2025]

Thank you so much for this information. Have you applied for your visa? If you have, how long did that take to be approved by ukvi?

No problem!
Visa wait times are updated on the UK government website and are quite accurate. If you pay for a priority or super priority you are likely to get a decision sooner. All the best!

 

[sfa510]

Hi everyone
I recently attended a job interview for engineer position through route services at network rail. I am an international candidate and had informed NR prior to attending the interview that I would require UK visa sponsorship to carry out this role. The hiring manager confirmed that selection for the role is merit based and they would start looking into visa sponsorship if I was successful in the interview. On the 1st of April, I received confirmation from the hiring manager that I have been successful in the interview and that they are offering me a position on their team. I was ecstatic as this has been a dream of mine for several years. However it's already mid June and I haven't heard anything official back from NR. My last update from them was that the immigration team needs to give the go ahead before they can send an offer. Anyone on here has any idea how long this process would take? I'm concerned they might turn around and say they're not going to sponsor after all or that the position is no longer mine as it's already taken this long.

Ps. My salary band is well above the minimum threshold for visa sponsorship

Hi congratulations on the offer!! What was the whole application process like? Did you only apply and was shortlisted for interview? Or did you have to network? I am thinking of applying to a role there for a visa sponsored opportunity

 

[KK2025]

Hi congratulations on the offer!! What was the whole application process like? Did you only apply and was shortlisted for interview? Or did you have to network? I am thinking of applying to a role there for a visa sponsored opportunity

Hello,
I only applied and was shortlisted, no networking at all. I would say give it a shot but would advise you to keep your expectations low as it is quite a tricky situation to navigate with many unforeseen barriers. However, miracles happen all the time like how it did for me!
I wish you the very best.

 

[sfa510]

Hello,
I only applied and was shortlisted, no networking at all. I would say give it a shot but would advise you to keep your expectations low as it is quite a tricky situation to navigate with many unforeseen barriers. However, miracles happen all the time like how it did for me!
I wish you the very best.

Thanks so much this is very helpful. Hope you enjoy your role . May I ask did you have to wait a long time before being shortlisted like roughly how many days/weeks did you wait?

 

[BB705]

Update on this
I was recently contacted by NR with confirmation and they are going to send me my certificate of sponsorship soon.
If anyone is ever in the same situation as I am, please respond to this thread and I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have about network rail visa sponsorship.

Hi, I seem to be in the same situation.
Did they send you a formal offer pack to sign after you got your CoS or was it after they called to tell you that your CoS would arrive soon? My portal says formal offer sent for a couple of weeks now but I don’t know what it means in terms of whether they have green light from immigration. The last major update was a call from them to discuss my timelines.

How long after that confirmation did the actual CoS arrive?

 

[yh1257hfj]

Hi, I seem to be in the same situation.
Did they send you a formal offer pack to sign after you got your CoS or was it after they called to tell you that your CoS would arrive soon? My portal says formal offer sent for a couple of weeks now but I don’t know what it means in terms of whether they have green light from immigration. The last major update was a call from them to discuss my timelines.

How long after that confirmation did the actual CoS arrive?

Hi, i am in this situation as well.

 

[BB705]

Hi, i am in this situation as well.
I am yet to receive an offer and COS. Have you received a formal offer?

When did they tell you that you were successful in the interview?
What is the status on the portal you applied through?
Did they confirm they were going to sponsor/ask for documents?
Have you spoken with your recruitment contact?

 

[yh1257hfj]

When did they tell you that you were successful in the interview?
What is the status on the portal you applied through?
Did they confirm they were going to sponsor/ask for documents?
Have you spoken with your recruitment contact?

Yes to all the above. What about you?

 

[KFP]

Hi Guys, anyone knows about on call duty and how it is paid in NR. My application as a Technician is with immigration team and they are checking the feasibility of sponsorship. I did much research on on call duty and pay but couldn't get much info. Saw another post in the forum saying there is no extra pay unless you are called in for a job. Would appreciate if anyone can share something. I am still waiting for the offer letter. Thanks

 

[MEC_15]

@KK2025 How long did you heard from them since you have been congratulated?How long does the COS and offer arrived with you?
and in total of process of everything how long it takes you?