Securing a global talent visa is normally a 2-stage process: (i) apply for an endorsement from the relevant endorsing body and (ii) if successfully endorsed, apply for the global talent visa.
Global Talent Visa
Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent Visa is a program designed to attract highly skilled individuals in various fields, such as science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEM+). It aims to support the growth of innovation, research, and development in a country by offering fast-tracked residency and work permits to exceptional talent from around the world. Applicants must demonstrate their skills, achievements, and potential contributions to their field, often with endorsement from relevant organisations or experts. This visa allows talented individuals to live and work in the country, fostering growth in key industries and boosting economic and cultural diversity.
The Global Talent visa offers a more flexible immigration option compared to other UK work visas. It does not require a job offer or employer sponsorship, and there are no limitations on the type of work you can undertake within your profession. This visa also provides a quicker route to settlement in the UK for those who qualify. Talented individuals may become eligible for settlement after 3 years, while those considered promising talent could be eligible after 5 years. Once settled, you can pursue British citizenship.
Although it is an attractive immigration pathway, the application process for the Global Talent visa can seem complex. To apply to the Home Office for the visa, you must first obtain formal endorsement for your professional skills or have won a recognised award in your field.
Who can apply?
You can apply for a Global Talent visa to work in the UK if you are over 18 and a leader or potential leader in any of the following fields:
- Science
- Research
- Engineering
- Humanities
- Social science
- Medicine
- Architecture
- Digital technology
- Arts and culture
- Fashion design
- Film and television
Global Talent Visa Key Points:
Securing a global talent visa is normally a 2-stage process: (i) apply for an endorsement from the relevant endorsing body and (ii) if successfully endorsed, apply for the global talent visa.
You can apply for the visa without an endorsement if you have won an eligible award/prestigious prize. See below for further detail.
There is no English language test or minimum salary threshold for the Global Talent route, although the endorsing body may impose its own language requirements.
You can bring your dependants and apply from either within the UK or from overseas.
There is no limit on the length of time during which you can stay in the UK in total, but you will need to renew your visa before it expires. Each extension can last from 1 to 5 years.
You can qualify for settlement within 3 or 5 years, depending on whether you are considered a leader or a potential leader.
You can apply up front for the length of visa that you need, meaning that you can qualify for settlement after one single visa.
You do not need to be employed to qualify for this visa. Once granted, you can work as an employee or on a self-employed basis as long as you work within the field for which you have received your endorsement.
Studying is also permitted, subject to the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) conditions.
Endorsement bodies
There are six global talent endorsing bodies as follows:
- Tech Nation – for digital technology – professionals working in software or business development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and other areas at the cutting edge of technology.
- Arts Council England – for arts, culture, architecture, fashion, film and television Artists, musicians, writers, actors, and other cultural figures who have made notable contributions to their fields. This category focuses on creative excellence and innovation.
- The Royal Academy of Engineering – for engineering
- The British Academy – for humanities and social science
- The Royal Society – for natural sciences and medical science research
- UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – for science and research
- The last three endorsing bodies are focussed on scholars and researchers including individuals conducting groundbreaking research, publishing influential work, and holding prestigious academic positions.
Each endorsing body has very different qualifying criteria and some offer fast-tracking in certain situations. Some of the routes to endorsement are through peer review, senior appointments, fellowships and for receiving grant funding from a recognised funder for your research work.
It is extremely important to ensure that you read the guidance from the specific endorsing body in detail before applying for an endorsement.
Eligible Awards – Prestigious Prizes
You can skip the endorsement stage if you have received an eligible award as listed in the Immigration Rules Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes and also at this link: Find out which awards are eligible.
This list includes awards acknowledged by the UK government as proof of exceptional talent that qualifies for the Global Talent Visa. These prizes are regarded as highly prestigious, and winners are automatically eligible for the visa without the need for endorsement from an approved endorsing body. If you have won one of these awards, you can use it as supporting evidence in your Global Talent Visa application and it may also speed up the process.
Leader or potential leader? Exceptional Talent or Promise?
Each body has its own endorsement criteria and process, based, broadly speaking, on the following:
- Exceptional Talent criteria: to assess individuals who can provide evidence that they have already made a significant contribution as a leader to their field.
- Exceptional Promise criteria: for applicants at an earlier stage in their careers who have shown the potential for being a future leader and making significant contributions in their field.
Application Process
Unless you have a “Prestigious Prize”, you firstly need to apply for endorsement as outlined above from the endorsing body relevant to your specialism. Once you have received the endorsement, you can then apply for your Global Talent visa. The visa application is submitted online, either within the UK under the switching process, or from overseas.
If you are outside the UK, you can apply for entry clearance at the nearest visa appointment centre in your country of residence.
If you are in the UK, you can apply online to switch to the Global Talent visa if you currently hold lawful status in the UK subject to a few exceptions.
If you are relying on a prestigious prize for your application, you can complete the online global talent visa application form straightaway.
If you need to obtain an endorsement, it is always sensible to apply for this before making your visa application as, even though it is possible to make both applications at the same time, if your endorsement is not approved, your visa application will then be automatically refused at the same time.
If you have successfully been endorsed, you will receive an email from the Home Office with a copy of the endorsement letter, at which point you have three months to make your visa application. If your application is refused, you may be able to request an endorsement review.
Documents required in support of endorsement application
Extensive documentation is normally needed in support of an applicant’s application for endorsement. It is extremely important to check the guidance from the specific endorsing body in detail to find out what evidence you need to provide. Examples include reference letters and publications of your work.
Documents required in support of the subsequent global talent visa application
As part of your visa application to the Home Office, you will need to submit:
- Your endorsement letter or evidence of your prestigious prize if required (although the Home Office will normally use public information to verify your achievement)
- A valid passport or another document that confirms your identity and nationality
- Your tuberculosis test results if you are from a country where this test is mandatory.
If any of your documents are not in English or Welsh, you will need to supply a certified translation.
Application Fees
It costs £716 to apply for the Global Talent visa, from either overseas or in the UK.
Applicants applying based on endorsement will pay this in two parts: £524 when applying for endorsement, and £192 when applying to the Home Office for the visa.
Applicants applying based on a prestigious award have to pay the full £716 with their visa application.
Dependant applications also cost £716 each.
Applicants will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for each year of their visa. The full amount of £1035 per year needs to be paid up front when making the application.
Application Processing Times
The endorsement stage typically takes up to 8 weeks, although applicants in the field of digital technology may be able to apply to have their endorsement fast-tracked.
Visa application processing times vary depending on where you are applying from. If you are applying from outside the UK, processing currently takes 3 weeks, while applications from within the UK usually take 8 weeks.
You may be able to pay for faster processing under the priority service (decision in five working days) or super priority service (next working day decision). These are available for an additional fee of £500 and £1000 respectively per application. You will be advised when making your application if these services are available to you.
Duration of Visa and Settlement
This visa is very flexible in terms of duration. An applicant can choose the length of their visa and apply either year by year or for 3 or 5 years. The benefit to applicants is that they can pay the Immigration Health Surcharge only for the length of visa they require.
It is also possible to apply to extend your visa, provided you remain eligible. For example, if your endorsement has been withdrawn, you will be required to make a completely new application.
Global Talent visa holders will be eligible to apply for UK settlement after 3 years (if they have been endorsed as a leader in their field) or 5 years (if they have been endorsed as a potential leader in their field).
Conclusion
The Global Talent Visa offers a great chance for professionals to explore career and personal growth opportunities in the UK. This visa is aimed at attracting top-tier talent from around the world, offering visa holders a way of enhancing their professional prospects while also experiencing life in the UK. The endorsement application process can seem overwhelming, requiring thorough preparation and attention to detail to meet all the necessary eligibility and procedural requirements. Legal assistance can be invaluable.
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