GLOBAL TALENT
The global talent visa is designed to attract highly skilled and talented individuals in certain fields to contribute to the UK economy. It provides leaders and potential leaders in academia/research, arts/culture, and digital technology with a pathway to settlement after 3 or 5 years in the UK. Applicants will need to be endorsed by the appropriate body as part of the application process.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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Live and work in the UK
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Bring your dependants
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Extend your visa
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Switch to different visa
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Settle in the UK
CATEGORIES
EXCEPTIONAL TALENT
Applicants under the exceptional talent category must demonstrate they are a leader in their field. This normally involves making a significant contribution to their chosen field.
EXCEPTIONAL PROMISE
Applicants under the exceptional promise category must demonstrate they have the potential to become a leader in their field.
This normally involves early-stage work which has the potential to lead to significant contributions in their chosen field.
STAGE 1: ENDORSEMENT
PRESTIGIOUS PRIZE
Applicants who have been awarded a prestigious prize recognised by UKVI will not need to apply for an endorsement and can instead apply directly for a global talent visa.
ENDORSING BODY
All other applicants must apply to either the Royal Society, the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, Tech Nation, or the Arts Council England for an endorsement. Each endorsing body has its own criteria and application process, but they all seek to identify individuals who have exceptional talent or promise in their field.
ENDORSING BODIES
THE ROYAL SOCIETY
For the fields of science and medicine.
e.g. researchers, professors, scientists
THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING
For the field of engineering.
e.g. mechanical/civil engineers
TECH NATION
For the field of digital technology.
e.g. software engineers, data scientists
THE BRITISH ACADEMY
For the field of humanities.
e.g. sociologists, historians, economists
UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
(UKRI)
For the field of science and research
e.g. Principal investigator, Postdoctoral researcher
ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND
For the fields of art and culture.
e.g. artists, writers, musicians
ENDORSEMENT
ROUTES
PEER REVIEW
Peer review is a process which involves an examination of an applicant's career history, recommendation letters, and potential for contribution to UK research excellence. It is done by the Royal Society (for science and medicine), the British Academy (for humanities and social science), and the Royal Academy of Engineering (for engineering and technology). Applicants will need to either work in an approved research discipline, be an active researcher, or have a PhD or equivalent research experience.
FELLOWSHIPS
This route is for applicants who have an individual fellowship (currently held or held within the last 12 months) which is on the approved list by the British Academy, the Royal Society, or the Royal Academy of Engineering.
SENIOR APPOINTMENTS
This route is for applicants who have a job offer as a professor, associate professor, reader, senior group leader or equivalent at any UK higher education institute or eligible research institute.
UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION ENDORSEMENT
This route is for applicants who are working on a research grant or award from a funder approved by UK Research and Innovation. The grant must have been awarded by an approved organisation.
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ENDORSEMENT
TECH NATION
Tech Nation supports the digital technology sector by endorsing applicants who meet one of two criteria:
1. They have technical skills that show they can build and use technology infrastructure and technology stacks.
2. They are seeking a business role and can provide proof of their experience and success in creating digital products or managing investments in large digital businesses.
Applicants need to provide evidence of their eligibility for endorsement. This includes a CV with work and publication history and three recommendation letters. These letters should be from three different respected organizations in the digital technology field. They must explain how the author knows the applicant, highlight the applicant's achievements, express their belief in the applicant's potential, and discuss the positive impact the applicant will have on the UK digital economy.
FILM AND TELEVISION ENDORSEMENT
PACT
Applicants in the cinema and television sector can be endorsed by The Producers’ Alliance for Film and Television (PACT). PACT will evaluate eligibility for endorsement in areas such as film, television, animation, post-production, and visual effects on behalf of Arts Council England.
Applicants in the animation, post-production, visual effects, and film sectors must demonstrate "extraordinary skill." PACT does not support applicants who only show exceptional promise.
ARCHITECTURE ENDORSEMENT
RIBA
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), representing Arts Council England, decides if applicants are leaders in the architecture field or have the potential to become leaders.
To receive endorsement from RIBA, applicants must be employed as a professional architect and produce high-quality work that has been published, presented, or exhibited internationally. They must also have actively worked as a professional architect for the past five years and demonstrate a strong track record in more than one country if applying under Exceptional Talent criteria, or a developing track record in one or more countries if applying under Exceptional Promise criteria.
SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, HUMANITIES AND MEDICINE ENDORSEMENT
The Royal Society (for natural and medical sciences),
the Royal Academy of Engineering (for engineering),
the British Academy (for humanities and social sciences),
or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will assess whether applicants are leaders in their fields or have the potential to become leaders in science and research.
The requirements for endorsement will vary based on whether applications are made under the Fast Track or Full Peer Review criteria.
ARTS AND CULTURE ENDORSEMENT
ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND
Applications in the fields of combined arts, dance, literature, music, theatre, and visual arts are assessed by Arts Council England, including those working in an artistic context in galleries and museums.
Applicants must be industry leaders or have the potential to be leaders.
To be eligible, applicants must be professionally creating work of exceptional quality that has been performed, presented, distributed, or exhibited abroad.
If applying on the basis of exceptional talent, applicants must show consistent work as a professional practitioner in their area for the last five years and be able to demonstrate a significant track record in more than one country or a developing track record in one or more countries if applying on the basis of Exceptional Promise.
FASHION DESIGN ENDORSEMENT
BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL
The British Fashion Council, representing Arts Council England, will consider whether applicants are currently leaders in their fields or have the potential to become leaders.
Applicants must hold a leading design role in the fashion industry and have demonstrated regular professional involvement in fashion design over the past five years.
Applicants must also show that they have produced exceptional work that has been sold or exhibited internationally, such as in fashion shows or other exhibitions. If applying under the Exceptional Talent criteria, they should have a strong track record in more than one country. If applying under the Exceptional Promise criteria, they should have a developing track record in one or more countries and show their outstanding work has been recognised by respected industry figures.
FEES
STAGE 1
(ENDORSEMENT)
The fee for global talent endorsement applications is currently £561.
STAGE 2
(VISA)
The fee for the global talent visa is currently £205.
Applicants relying on the prestigious prize route must pay the full £766 at this stage.
All applicants will be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. This is currently £1,035 per year.
STAGE 2:
GLOBAL TALENT VISA
SUCCESSFUL ENDORSEMENT
If your Stage 1 application for endorsement is approved, the endorsing body will notify UKVI that you meet its criteria for either exceptional talent or exceptional promise. Subsequently, UKVI will advise you that you can proceed with Stage 2 - your application for a global talent visa.
UNSUCCESSFUL ENDORSEMENT
If your Stage 1 application for endorsement is refused, and you believe the incorrect decision has been made, you can ask the endorsing body to conduct a review.
Reviews are free and must be requested within 28 days of receiving the decision.
If the decision is reversed, you can proceed to the Stage 2 application. If the refusal is maintained, you will need to make a new Stage 1 application.
If you are making the Stage 2 application after the Stage 1 application, you must do so within 3 months of receiving the endorsement letter. If you make the Stage 2 application first (for example, due to already being in the UK on another visa which is ending soon), you must submit your Stage 1 application within 14 days of making your Stage 2 application.
DATE OF APPLICATION
VISA LENGTH
Applicants can select a visa length between 1-5 years. The application fee will not be affected by the length of the visa, but the corresponding Immigration Health Surcharge must be paid
(e.g., £3,105 for a 3 year visa).
Successful Application
If your Stage 2 application for a global talent visa is successful, UKVI will notify you by email. For applicants outside the UK, you will receive a visa vignette in your passport permitting you to enter the UK. For applicants already in the UK, your eVisa will be updated to reflect your new immigration permission.
Application Refused
If your Stage 2 application for a global talent visa is refused, UKVI will outline the reasons in a refusal letter. Applicants may consider applying for an administrative review if they believe the incorrect decision has been made based on a caseworking error.
OUTCOME
NEXT STEP
Following your initial stay on the Global Talent route, you can apply to extend your visa or to settle in the UK, depending on which route you applied under. Exceptional Talent applicants can usually apply for indefinite leave to remain after 3 years, whereas those under Exceptional Promise will have to wait until they have completed 5 years.
If you do not intend to settle, you can extend your visa for up to 5 years as many times as necessary, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
HOW WE CAN HELP
Global Talent visas are highly complex, designed strictly for exceptional individuals who can contribute the the UK's development in various sectors. As such, these applications require a meticulous approach to ensure an effective and compliant endorsement application. Mistakes can have a significant impact on future immigration applications to the Home Office, which means it is very important to have experts by your side who can make the process easier and give much needed confidence to make a strong application.
At Lace Law LLP, we offer comprehensive support throughout your Global Talent journey. From your initial consultation to the final decision, you will have a dedicated expert who will meticulously prepare your endorsement application, maintain regular communication, and promptly respond to any concerns along the way. We pride ourselves on this personal approach, which we feel not only provides a greater experience to you, but also increases the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Don't let the process be more stressful than it needs to be. Contact us today to have a dedicated partner by your side from endorsement all the way through to your Global Talent visa.
