Terms & Conditions

We offer two different types of employment contracts - local contracts and international contracts.

Local Contracts

Local contracts are typically offered to individuals who have the right to work in the country in which the job is located. This group of employees are subject to tax and social security in the country in which they are employed, and relocation support may be offered depending on individual considerations such as geographical distance.

International Contracts

International contracts are offered to individuals who are not citizens of the country in which the job is located, and who do not have the right to work in that country. This group of employees will be subject to certain privileges and immunities, and will not pay tax and social security to local governments. Instead these colleagues will pay an internal tax collected by SKAO from their salary and used to fund a range of benefits recognising the additional expense that may arise from working as an international employee. The rate of internal taxation is broadly aligned to the local rates.

Employees in this category, who take on new roles in the UK, will require an Exempt Vignette, which is a specific type of working visa, and SKAO will support you and your family in applying for this. Please note that the Exempt Vignette does not provide the typical route to Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. You may be able to apply if you remain in the UK legally for 10 continuous years (known as ‘long residence’).

Employees in this category, who take on new roles in South Africa and Australia, will require a Diplomatic Visa and SKAO will support you and your family in applying for this. As in the UK, Diplomatic Visas also have restrictions in terms of long term residency applications and other limitations enforced by local authorities. At this time SKAO Diplomatic Visa holders in Australia are currently unable to transition to Permanent Residence or Australian Citizenship.