Global Talent Visa is a scheme designed for those who wants to work in the UK, for those who are leaders or potential leaders in one of the following fields: Science, Medicine, Engineering, Humanities. The Global Talent route is for people aged 18 or over in the field of science, engineering, humanities, medicine, digital technology or arts and culture who can show they have exceptional talent or exceptional promise.
The Global Talent Visa provides numerous benefits:
- Personal visa, not tied to employer or host,
- Fast-tracked process,
- A flexible visa for up to 5 years, allowing holders to come and go from the UK at will,
- Eligibility for settled status after 3 years,
- No minimum salary requirement,
- No requirement to have a confirmed job offer,
- No requirement to complete an English Test Qualification,
- Affirm existing arrangements to bring dependents with access to the labour market.
For most individuals there is a two-part application process. The first part is an application for endorsement (guidance on the relevant evidence and its format is set out from time to time by the Secretary of State on https://www.gov.uk/global-talent); the second part is an application for entry clearance or permission to stay. Alternatively, a person who has been awarded a prestigious prize listed in here is considered as showing exceptional talent and is therefore not required to apply for an endorsement.
Endorsed Funders
- The UKRI operated Endorsed Funder route allows researchers working on grants from UKRI-recognised Endorsed Funders to be eligible for a Global Talent Visa.
- The list of Endorsed Funders is large ( more than 80 funders) and continuously expanding. It includes a range of funders both domestic and international.
- Applicants are required to be employed or hosted at a UKRI approved host organisation.
Information for researchers working on the research grant issued by an endorsed funder on the list approved by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Who can apply?
- Anyone who is either named personally on a grant or has a defined position on that grant from an endorsed funder.
- Not just professors! Specialist technical staff working on the grant – as long as they are hosted at a UKRI recognised research organisation.
What is needed?
- The grant must be at lease £30 000, and at least 2 years’ in duration;
- At least 50% of an applicant’s time must be on the grant or award from an endorsed funder;
- The employment contract or hosting agreement of the applicant must have at least 2 years remaining at the time of the application for endorsement;
- They must independently direct, or direct under the supervision of an R&D team leader, a unique research or innovation project OR
- They must make critical contributions to research through the provision of core technical or domain excellence, or in developing new technologies and methodologies. The applicant will be typically named, or their post listed, on the grant/award under ‘directly incurred’ costs.
A host organisation shall support the applicant by providing:
- Award letter (redacted if necessary)
- Statement of Guarantee
If you’re not eligible for a Global Talent visa, you might be interested in a Skilled Worker visa. Read more about eligibility requirements, fees and Immigration rules of the Global Talent Visa.
OTHER SELECTED VISA ROUTES:
STUDENT VISA – for students aged over 16 from outside the UK who wish to study on a further or higher education course in the UK. Read more
DOCTORATE EXTENSION SCHEME – enables a PhD student to apply to stay in the UK to look for work after they have finished their PhD or doctorate at an accredited UK Institution. This allows them to gain work experience in their field, have more time to find longer-term work and switch to a work visa, or set up as an entrepreneur. The DES will be replaced by the Graduate Visa on 1 July 2021.
GRADUATE VISA – the new post-study Graduate immigration route will be launched on 1 July 2021. This will replace the Doctorate Extension Scheme. Permission to stay under the Graduate route will enable international students to work or look for work after their studies for 2 years, or 3 years for PhD students. The work can be in any sector and at any level without any minimum salary requirements or the need for visa sponsorship. Students will need to make an application in the UK to be granted permission under the route after successful completion of their degree. Detailed guidance can be find here.
SKILLED WORKER – a route for skilled workers who have a job offer from an approved employer sponsor. Read more
INVESTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND TALENT VISAS – Innovator or Start up visa applicant must meet the following:
- they want to set up or run a business in the UK,
- are from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland,
- meet the other eligibility requirements,
- their business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body.
