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Ten most frequently asked questions
1. Where will I find out what my JACS code is?
Please check your Higher Education Institution (HEI) correspondence. If it is not listed there please contact your Higher Education Institution. They are the only people who will be able to tell you what your JACS code is. Please do not guess.
2. How long will the ATAS process take?
We aim to respond to all applications within 20 working days of successful completion. We will not start processing the application until it is satisfactorily completed. You will be sent an initial email acknowledging your application and a further email, within 4 weeks, with the result of your application, including an ATAS clearance certificate, if approved.
If you have not heard anything within 4 weeks please check your inbox is not full (and therefore rejecting our message). Please also check your ‘Spam’ folder or ‘Junk email’ folder to make sure that our message has not been filtered out. You can also contact us if you are concerned you have missed our response.
3. What courses require ATAS certificates?
Please follow the link to ‘Do I need an ATAS certificate?’ to find out what courses require clearance.
4. My offer letter doesn’t have a JACS code on it and I don’t know if I need an ATAS certificate, what should I do?
You should contact the HEI that you wish to study at and ask them to confirm the JACS code for your course. Please do not contact us as we are unable to assist you with finding out your JACS code.
5. I have not received the email containing the link to the application form. What should I do?
The email should arrive in your account within 48 hours of registration. If you do not receive it please check to make sure your inbox is not full. Please also check your ‘Spam’ folder or ‘Junk email’ folder to make sure that our message has not been filtered out. If you have still not received this email please follow the forgotten password link on the application form home page. This will generate a new email with a new link to the application form. You will need to reset your password before you can access the application form.
6. My copy of the submitted application has data missing, or is incorrectly filled in, what should I do?
Please be aware the PDF has a character limit and will sometimes cut off information. If you are sure you have entered it correctly it will still be stored on our electronic system.
We will contact you if we need any information.
If you have missed out information or you have incorrectly filled in some parts of the application form please contact us with details of what you want to change, quoting your ATAS ID number.
7. How do I unlock my account?
Please go to the application form home page. Click on the 'Forgotten Password' link and enter the email address you used to register. This field is case-sensitive so you should enter the address exactly as you entered it to register. Please only do this once as each time you enter your email address it invalidates the last email to you generated by the system. You should then receive a new link to allow you to access your ATAS form, (please allow a minimum of 30 minutes for this to arrive). You will need to create a new password of your choice. The password field is also case-sensitive.
When clicking on the link please ensure that the full link is highlighted. If it is not, please copy and paste the full link into your web browser.
If you still experience difficulties please contact us.
8. I’m having difficulties with proceeding to the next stage on my application form.
- please make sure that you do not enter too much text on any area of the form, the character limit is stated on the fields. Reduce the amount of text you have entered and try to continue. If you need to submit any additional information at a later date please email us after you have submitted your application, quoting your ATAS ID number.
- please also ensure that you enter only text and no symbols such as ' # > <
- ensure that you have filled in all of the required fields.
- please note that pages are locked if they are left inactive for over 9 minutes. This means 9 minutes without saving or clicking the next button.
If you still experience difficulties please contact us.
9. I registered with the wrong JACS code, how can I change this now?
Unfortunately there is no facility to change the JACS code you registered with. If you are able, please register again with an alternative email address. If you do not have an alternative email address please complete the application form and submit it. You will then be able to register again using the same email address, this time entering the correct JACS code. Please email us to inform us that you have done this, quoting your ATAS ID number and we will withdraw the incorrect application.
10. I have not received a confirmation email with a copy of my submitted ATAS application, what should I do?
If you have not received a confirmation copy of your submitted application please make sure that it was successfully submitted. If after successful submission you still do not have a confirmation copy, contact us and we will be able to send you a copy.