UK Global Talent Visa

What is a Global Talent Visa?

The UK Global Talent Visa is designed to attract leading talent individuals who have demonstrated exceptional skills, talent, and leadership in their respective fields within:

• academia or research
• arts
• culture
• digital technology

Applicants require an official endorsement from one of the six approved endorsing bodies or must have won a prestigious award listed in 'Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes'.

Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, the Global Talent Visa does not require a sponsor license. Holders can take up paid employment, work as self-employed, or become company directors in their endorsed field without notifying the Home Office if they change jobs.

Qualifying dependents can accompany the visa holder, and switching to this visa from other UK visa categories is possible.

Benefits of the Global Talent Visa

The Global Talent Visa is an attractive option for talented individuals. The main advantage is the independence it offers, without needing employer sponsorship unlike the Skilled Worker Visa or Global Business Mobility Visa. It also offers qualifying applicants one of the fastest routes towards Indefinite Leave to Remain, as fast as 3 years in many cases. Additionally, there are no language or minimum salary requirements, setting it apart from other visa categories.

It combines flexibility, family inclusivity, and ease of renewal, making it highly desirable for exceptional individuals aiming to establish themselves in the UK. Visa holders can work for any employer, be self-employed, or start their own business without needing to notify the Home Office of job changes. Families can stay together, as dependents can join the visa holder in the UK.

The visa can be renewed indefinitely, and holders can choose the duration of their visa for up to five years, offering greater control over their stay in the UK. For instance if you only need to work temporarily in the UK, you may apply for a year's Visa which will reduce your IHS (immigration health surcharge) costs.

Visa Duration

The Global Talent Visa is valid for a period ranging from one to five years in full-year increments, depending on the applicant’s preference and needs. One of the key advantages of this visa is its flexibility, allowing holders to renew their visa as many times as they wish, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria. In most cases, individuals will become eligible for UK indefinite leave to remain after 3 or 5 years.

Bringing Dependents

One of the benefits of the Global Talent Visa is the ability for visa holders to bring their dependents to the UK if they meet the eligibility requirements. Dependents include spouses, civil partners, and children under 18 who are not married or in a civil partnership.

Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your dependents if they meet the eligibility requirements. If their application is successful, their visa will usually expire on the same date as yours unless they are already in the UK when they apply. If a child's parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child's visa will end earlier.

To prove your relationship with your partner, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• You are in a civil partnership or marriage recognised in the UK.
• You have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years.
• You have been in a relationship for at least 2 years but cannot live together due to work, study, or cultural reasons. You can show ongoing commitment through regular communication, financial support, childcare, or spending time together.

For your child to qualify as a dependent, they must live with you unless they are in full-time education away from home, such as at boarding school or university. They must not be married or in a civil partnership. You will need to provide evidence of their address, such as a bank statement, credit card bills, driving license, NHS registration document, or an official letter from their university or college.

Extending a Global Talent Visa

To extend the Global Talent Visa, applicants must ensure that their endorsements are not withdrawn and apply for the extension before their current visa expires.

Endorsing Bodies for the Global Talent Visa

To apply for a Global Talent Visa, applicants will first need to secure an endorsement from the relevant Endorsing Body:

• Tech Nation: Covers a range of technical and business skills in the digital technology sector.
  1. Examples of technical skills include: Principal software engineers/developers, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning experts (AI, NLP, ML), Hardware engineers and Cybersecurity experts, etc.
  2. Examples of business skills include: Experience in leading substantial VC investments over £25m GBP, Experience as a commercial / business lead (P&L, growth, sales and distribution strategy) in a digital business, Experience expanding or growing a significant product-led digital technology business, Experienced Product Manager, etc.
• Arts Council England: Considers Exceptional Talent and Exceptional Promise applications from the following disciplines: dance, music, theatre, visual arts (including museums and galleries), literature and, combined arts and more.
• The British Academy: Covers a range of disciplines from economics, and history to law and many more.
• The Royal Academy of Engineering: For engineering applications.
• The Royal Society: This society is for natural sciences and medical science research applications. It covers a range of disciplines, from pure mathematics to conducting clinical research in genetics.
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI): For applications from all research fields, supported by a grant or award from an endorsed funder.

Who can Apply?

This visa suits individuals who show 'exceptional talent' or 'promise talent'. It is crucial to prepare the strongest possible Endorsement application at first try, to avoid a history of refusal which may invite more scrutiny in repeat applications.

Exceptional Talent

Showcasing an exceptional talent means the applicant has a proven track record of being a recognised leader in their field or making a significant contribution. This could involve:

• Being an active researcher in a relevant field e.g. university
• Having a PhD or equivalent research experience
• Providing a dated letter of personal recommendation from an eminent person residing in the UK supporting the visa application – they must be familiar with your work and your contribution to the field, qualified to assess your claim to be a world leader in your field
• Being a member of your national academy or a foreign member of academies of other countries
• Being awarded a prestigious internationally recognised prize
• Providing a written recommendation from a reputable UK organisation concerned with research in your field. The dated letter must be written by an authorised senior member of the organisation, such as the Chief-Executive, Vice-Chancellor, or similar, on official paper

Promised Talent

An exceptional promise (or promised talent) means that applicants can be earlier in their careers but have already shown potential to make significant contributions as a future leader in their fields. This could mean:

• Being an active researcher in a relevant field e.g. university
• Having a PhD or equivalent research experience
• Providing a dated letter of personal recommendation from an eminent person residing in the UK supporting the visa application – they must be familiar with your work and your contribution to the field, qualified to assess your claim to be a world leader in your field
• Being at an early stage in your career
• Being awarded, or have held in the past five years, a prestigious UK-based Research Fellowship, or an international Fellowship or advanced research post judged by the competent body to be of equivalent standing

Switching to Global Talent Visa from Other Visas

If you are in the UK on a valid visa, you can apply to switch to the Global Talent Visa by submitting an online application. You can switch to the Global Talent Visa if you currently hold a visa under any of the following categories:

• Start-Up
• Innovator Founder visa
• Tier 1
• Skilled Worker visa (Tier 2)
• Tier 5
• Student (Tier 4, excluding Short-Term Student Visa)

Visa Pathway

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

The Global Talent Visa provides a pathway to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (also known as permanent residency), allowing you to settle permanently in the UK. The qualifying time depends on how you were endorsed:

• 3 Years:
  • Endorsed by the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society, or UK Research and Innovation.
  • Endorsed by Arts Council England or Tech Nation as a recognized leader (‘exceptional talent’).
  • You did not need an endorsement because you won an eligible award in ‘Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes’.
• 5 Years:
  • Endorsed by Arts Council England or Tech Nation as an emerging leader (‘exceptional promise’).

You may also combine time spent on Global Talent Visa with any of these Visa category to make up the qualifying continuous period:

• Skilled Worker
• Innovator Founder
• Tier 2 Minister of Religion
• International Sportsperson
• Tier 1 Migrant, except Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur
• Scale-up
• Representative of an Overseas Business

When applying for ILR, you must meet specific eligibility requirements, which include:

• Financial Stability: Prove you have enough funds to support yourself and your dependents.
• Employment: Show that you have been working in the UK, earning money in the field of your endorsement.
• Commonwealth Citizenship: Confirm that you are still a Commonwealth citizen.
• Knowledge and Language: Pass the "Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK" test and meet the English language requirement (e.g., CEFR level B1 in speaking and listening).

British Citizenship

After holding a Global Talent Visa and obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), you can apply for British citizenship and also apply for a British passport if you continue to meet the eligibility criteria. The process depends on your circumstances:

• Married or in a Civil Partnership with a British Citizen: You can apply for British citizenship immediately after obtaining ILR.
• Not Married or in a Civil Partnership with a British Citizen: You must wait 1 year after obtaining ILR before applying for British citizenship.

Ensure you meet the ongoing eligibility requirements, which include residency, good character, and knowledge of English and life in the UK.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate that they are either a recognised or emerging leader in their field. The required documents will vary depending on the specifics of your application and the evidence required by your endorsing body. The documents you may need to provide include:

• Endorsement from one of the six authorized endorsing bodies:
  • Exceptional Talent: For those already recognized as leaders in their fields.
  • Exceptional Promise: For those with the potential to become leaders.
• Qualifying Industry Recognition: If you have been awarded a qualifying industry prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes, you may be exempt from the endorsement requirement. Notable achievements include the Nobel Prize, BAFTA, Turing Award, Grammy Award and more. There is no time limit on the award hence you may opt for this fast-track Prestigious Prize pathway at any point in your career thereafter.

Required Documents

To apply for the Global Talent Visa, you must provide documents demonstrating your exceptional quality of work and performance in your field. The documents required can vary depending on the endorsing body and your field. Here are the essential documents you may need::

• Passport
• Comprehensive CV: Outline your key achievements.
• Three Letters of Recommendation: From peers or supervisors, confirming your achievements and detailing how you can continue contributing to your field in the UK.
• Evidence of Achievements: Up to 10 pieces supporting your application.
• Confirmation of Grants: If applicable, provide evidence of any grants you have received.
• Medical Test: A tuberculosis test may be required depending on your country of residence.

The set of documents required can vary by field and endorsing body. For instance:

• Tech Nation Endorsement: Applicants must provide evidence of significant contributions and innovations in the tech sector.
• Researchers: Must submit detailed information about their previous work and contributions.
• Digital Specialists: Need to prove their active participation in product development.
• Peer Review Endorsement: Requires specific documents, including written confirmation from an awarding body and evidence of an eligible academic or research position.

Any documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation before your application.

Application Fees

A Global Talent Visa application costs £716. If you are including a partner or a child in the application, this cost will apply to each individual.

If you are applying based on an endorsement, you can pay in two parts (£524 for the endorsement application and £192 for the visa itself).

If you apply based on an eligible award, the total cost is paid when applying for the visa.

An Immigration Healthcare Surcharge fee (IHS) is also due as part of your application. This is usually £1,035 per year per applicant, and can be paid online on the Home Office website. You can check how much you need to pay here.

Processing Time

While waiting times can vary, a decision is expected to be given within 3 weeks if you are outside the UK and 8 weeks if you are in the UK. A well-presented case usually helps the home office make a decision faster.

Priority Service

For faster processing of your Global Talent Visa application, you can opt for premium services:

• Priority Service: This service costs an additional £500 on top of the standard application fee and typically provides a decision within five working days.
• Super-Priority Service: For an extra £1,000, the super-priority service aims to deliver a decision by the end of the next working day after your appointment, provided the appointment is on a weekday.

Application Process

The Global Talent Visa application process involves two stages:

Stage 1: Apply to the Home Office for endorsement as a leader or an emerging leader in your field.
Stage 2: Apply for the visa.

Obtain Endorsement

Obtaining an endorsement validates the applicant’s exceptional talent or promise; without it, the visa application cannot proceed. Each route has its own specific requirements and documentation, so it is essential to research and understand the criteria for the chosen field thoroughly.

There are four main routes to obtain an endorsement:

Academic or research appointment

You will need a job offer from an institution approved by the Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, or British Academy. Eligible jobs must involve academic, research, or innovation leadership and development, or directing/leading a research or innovation project.

Individual fellowship

You must have held an eligible fellowship in the last 5 years, approved by the Royal Society (for science and medicine), the British Academy (for humanities), or the Royal Academy of Engineering. Depending on your fellowship, you can apply as either a leader in your field (exceptional talent) or a potential leader (exceptional promise).

Endorsed funder

You may be eligible for a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) endorsement if you work on a research grant or award from an approved funder. Your grant must be from an endorsed organization, your employing or hosting organization must be UKRI-approved, and you can conduct research abroad. Eligibility requires at least one year left on your contract, spending half your time on the grant, working on a grant worth at least £30,000 over two years, and having a one-off or renewable award. You must lead a unique research or innovation project or contribute to developing new technology or methodology. If leading, you need a PhD or equivalent experience and active participation in your field. If contributing, you need relevant research experience and a UK bachelor's degree, equivalent overseas degree, or equivalent experience.

Peer review

You may get endorsement through peer review, applying as either a leader (exceptional talent) or potential leader (exceptional promise). Peer review is conducted by the Royal Society of Science and Medicine), the British Academy of Humanities and Social Science), or the Royal Academy of Engineering (engineering and Technology). Eligibility requires working in an approved research discipline, being an active researcher (e.g., in a university, research institute, or business), and having a PhD or equivalent research experience. No job offer is needed. For exceptional promise, you must be at an early career stage.

How to Apply for a Global Talent Visa

All Global Talent Visa applications are submitted online, but how you apply will depend on whether you are outside the UK, inside the UK and extending your current visa, or inside the UK and switching from a different visa.

Step 1: Apply for Endorsement

1. Fill out the Government application form and submit your documents to the relevant endorsing body for endorsement.

Step 2: Await Confirmation

1. The UK Home Office will notify you of the endorsement decision within 8 weeks.

Step 3: Apply for the Visa

1. Apply for the visa, providing proof of endorsement and all biometric information. If you are relocating with family, include their information, too.

Step 4: Await Final Confirmation

1. The UK Home Office will notify you of the visa application outcome within 3 weeks.

Refusals

Endorsement refusal

The endorsing body sets and evaluates the Global Talent endorsement requirements. You must meet these criteria to ensure your endorsement request is accepted. However, if you believe the endorsing body needs to look into the details or understand your submitted documents, you can request an endorsement review.

To do this, complete and submit the Endorsement Review form, clearly explaining the mistake made. Include detailed grounds for review with references to the original application. The review is free and conducted by the same endorsing body. The review only assesses whether the original application was evaluated correctly, and no new evidence can be allowed. The decision from this review is final.

Requesting an endorsement review does not extend your permission to stay in the UK if your current visa is about to expire.

Alternatively, you can reapply through the same track, adding new evidence, but you will need to pay the application fee again.

Global Talent Visa Refusal

You cannot appeal the decision if your Global Talent visa application is refused. However, you can request an administrative review if you believe the Home Office made an error in considering your application. A visa refusal does not necessarily invalidate the endorsement, and you may reapply if you can address the reasons for refusal.

The decision letter will include details on how to request an administrative review. The fee is £80, and the review must be submitted within 28 days from the date of the refusal email.

Common Reasons for Refusal

• Track records and contributions to the field need to be stronger relative to the career stage.
• Insufficient evidence of exceptional promise or outstanding potential in the letters of support.
• Failure to submit sufficient evidence.
• Submitting incomplete, incorrect, or non-compliant documentation.

Recent Success Stories

QC Immigration has many years of experience helping talented clients, from tech entrepreneurs, pioneering PhD researchers, award winners, fashion designers and more.

• Assisted a Chinese tech entrepreneur, specialising in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, to successfully obtain a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa. We helped him secure endorsement from Tech Nation as a candidate of Exceptional Promise and with his visa application.
• Successfully represented a C-suite Canadian client with her Exceptional Talent endorsement and Global Talent Visa application.

Summary

The Global Talent Visa offers exceptional individuals a flexible pathway to live and work in the UK. The UK values high-quality talent and potential, and the Global Talent Visa opens doors to numerous opportunities.

QC Immigration has helped many accomplished individuals successfully navigate the global talent visa route, showcasing the opportunities and pathways available through this visa process. We provide comprehensive guidance on the endorsement process, endorsement letters, and Global Talent visa applications. Whether you prefer in-person consultations or need a fully online service, we can assist with all UK immigration concerns.

Given that immigration rules frequently change, we recommend discussing your UK Visa options with our team to stay well-informed.

Our expertise can help you save time and reduce the risk of submitting an incomplete or non-compliant application, ensuring a smooth, efficient, and stress-free journey to achieving endorsement and a successful Global Talent visa application.