Global Talent Visa

What is a Global Talent Visa

The Global Talent Visa has replaced the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa and it allows established and promising individuals in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and the humanities to come to the UK and work. 

Unlike other UK work-related visas, applicants for the Global Talent visa are not required to have secured a job offer prior to their application, nor are they required to be sponsored by an employer. 

Successful applicants for the Global Talent Visa are able to live and work in the UK for up to 5 years at a time. Eligible individuals may even be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain within as little as three years, making it a fast track to permanent settlement in the UK.

Who is eligible for a Global Talent Visa UK?

To be eligible for a Global Talent Visa UK, you must be endorsed as being either a ‘leader’ or ‘potential leader’ in of of the following fields:

• Medicine
• The arts (this includes fashion design, architecture, and film and TV)
• Digital technology
• Research
• Engineering
• Humanities
• Science

Required documents for a Global Talent Visa

In addition to your supporting documents, when applying for a Global Talent Visa, you will be required to provide the following documents:

• A valid passport or document which confirms your identity and nationality.
• Your TB test results if applying from a listed country.
• Your endorsement letter.
• If you have received a scholarship or award to study in the UK in the last year, then you will need to provide written permission to apply from the respective agency or government that granted it.

Applying for the Global Talent Visa

To apply for a Global Talent Visa, you must successfully go through two application stages:

Stage One

In the first stage of the application process, individuals must apply to obtain an endorsement from a Home Office approved endorsing body to prove to the UKVI that you are either a leader or a potential leader in your field of expertise. 

The endorsing body you wish to obtain an endorsement from must be relevant to your field, below is a list of the Home Office’s approved endorsing bodies:

• Arts Council England: for arts, culture, architecture, fashion, film and TV.
• British Academy: for humanities and social science.
• Royal Society: for natural sciences and medical science research.
• Tech Nation: for digital technology.
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI): for science and research.

The application process for an endorsement is dependent on the field. In general however, applicants are required to provide a personal statement of 1000 words as to why they believe they are a leader or potential leader in the field. In addition to this applicants may also be required to provide evidence of their work, any awards won or recognition received, and letters or recommendation. For the specific documents required, head over to this guidance.

Stage Two

If an individual has obtained an endorsement from the relevant endorsing body, then they must apply for the Global Talent Visa which can be done from either inside or outside the UK.

How long is the Global Talent Visa valid for?

The Global Talent Visa is valid for either 3 or 5 years, however, it can be extended indefinitely.

If you have been granted immigration status as a ‘leader’ then you will be able to live and work in the UK for up to 5 years. Whereas, if you have been granted immigration status as a ‘potential leader’ then you will be able to live and work in the UK for up to 3 years. If you wish to remain in the UK then you may be able to apply to extend your visa provided that you still meet the eligibility requirements and are still earning money through your field of expertise.

How much is a Global Talent Visa UK?

In total it costs £716 to apply for a Global Talent Visa UK. However, this is paid in two stages:

1. You must pay the endorsement fee which costs £524; and
2. Once an endorsement has been obtained, you must pay the Global Talent application fee which is £192.

Additionally, as part of the application process, you will be required to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge which currently stands at £1035.

Switching to the Global Talent Visa

If you meet the eligibility criteria and have received an endorsement or won an eligible award then you may be able to switch to the Global Talent Visa.

However, if you are currently in the UK on a Student Visa, in addition to the above you must have either:

• Completed the course you were sponsored to study; or

• Studied for a PhD for at least 24 months.

Indefinite leave to remain and the Global Talent Visa

If you have been granted immigration status as a ‘leader’ then you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain after continuously living in the UK for 3 years. 

If you have been granted immigration status as a ‘potential leader’ then you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain after continuously living in the UK for 5 years. 

In addition to proving that you meet the ‘standard’ requirements, when you apply for indefinite leave to remain, you will be required to show that some of your income has been earnt through your field of expertise.