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Global Talent visa

The Global Talent visa is designed as an expedited immigration pathway for individuals worldwide possessing expertise in academia or research, arts and culture, and digital technology. Introduced in February 2020, it replaced the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa. This visa category targets leaders and promising talents in various domains such as:

  • Academia or research
  • Arts and culture
  • Digital technology
  • Architecture
  • Fashion design
  • Film and television
  • Science
  • Engineering
  • Humanities
  • Medicine

Typically, Global Talent visas are initially granted for up to five years, with the option for extension for another one to five years. Alternatively, visa holders can opt for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain – ILR) after three years for leaders and five years for potential leaders.

The Global Talent visa offers advantages beyond typical UK work visas due to its elevated status. With a Global Talent visa, individuals can:

  • Enter the UK without fulfilling an English language requirement or securing a job offer
  • Work for a UK-based company or be self-employed
  • Serve as a company director
  • Modify or cease employment without notifying the Home Office
  • Bring spouses and children as dependents
  • Travel internationally and return to the UK
  • Apply for ILR after just 3 years (for leaders)

Eligibility Criteria for the Global Talent Visa:

To qualify for a Global Talent Visa, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Demonstrate leadership or potential leadership in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology.
  • Receive an endorsement from an approved endorsing body.

Unlike many other UK visa categories, there are no stipulations regarding salary or English language proficiency.

Business Endorsement:

Choosing an Endorsing Body is essential to a successful Global Talent Visa application is obtaining an endorsement from an approved endorsing body, affirming your leadership or potential leadership status. However, if you possess an eligible award (see below), an endorsement may not be necessary. The specific endorsing body you approach will vary depending on your professional field. The primary endorsing bodies for the Global Talent Visa include:

Arts endorsing bodies

  • Arts Council England
  • British Fashion Council
  • Royal Institute of British Architects
  • Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Exceptional Talent applications only)

Digital Technology endorsing bodies

  • Tech Nation

Science, engineering, humanities and medicine endorsing bodies

  • The British Academy
  • The Royal Academy of Engineering
  • The Royal Society
  • UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
 

Criteria Endorsing Bodies Consider

When evaluating if applicants qualify as leaders or emerging leaders, endorsing bodies consider a range of factors specific to various fields:

Academia or Research:
  • Applicants must demonstrate leadership within scientific, medical, engineering, or humanities disciplines.
  • Requirements include possessing a qualifying job offer in academia or research, which involves directing or leading a research or innovation project or program, or showcasing leadership in academic, research, or innovation development.
  • Alternative routes might include endorsement through individual fellowships or research grants awarded by prestigious organizations such as the Royal Society, the British Academy, or the Royal Academy of Engineering. Peer review by an endorsing body is an additional pathway.
Arts and Culture:
  • Potential or established leadership in areas such as combined arts, dance, literature, music, theatre, visual arts, architecture, fashion design, or film and television is required.
  • Criteria depend on the specialty; for instance, applicants in combined arts, dance, literature, music, theatre, or visual arts need to show sustained professional involvement and internationally recognized work over the past five years, deemed as exceptional by Arts Council England.
  • For those applying as established leaders, evidence of international recognition in at least two countries is mandatory.
Digital Technology:
  • Assessed by Tech Nation for exceptional talent or promise in sectors like fintech, gaming, cybersecurity, or AI.
  • Assessment for exceptional talent may include a proven innovation track record, holding senior roles in digital technology companies, significant contributions to the sector beyond the scope of employment, founding product-led digital technology companies, or publishing research recognized by leading experts.

Global Talent Prestigious Prizes Route

For individuals who have received a significant prestigious award, the endorsement process can be bypassed, allowing them to proceed directly to the visa application stage.

The “Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes” lists these awards, which is subject to periodic updates and ongoing review.

To be deemed prestigious, a prize must be awarded to an individual, acknowledging their exceptional talent. Therefore, awards given to organizations or for specific works, such as a film, do not qualify. Moreover, these prizes must be international, meaning they are open to individuals of all nationalities, and the selection of winners must be conducted by a panel of judges, not by public vote.

Global Talent Visa Extension

As your current Global Talent visa approaches expiration, you have the option to either extend it or apply for permanent settlement if you meet the eligibility criteria. The extension depends on continued endorsement from the original endorsing body and proof of financial success in the UK. This can be demonstrated through earnings evidence, though there is no specified minimum requirement. Acceptable forms of evidence include payslips, letters of confirmation from employers, bank statements, HMRC tax statements or tax returns, and dividend vouchers.

The fee for extending a Global Talent visa is £718.00 per individual, which is in addition to an annual immigration healthcare surcharge of £1035.

Global Talent Visa to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Holders of the Global Talent visa with aspirations of long-term residency in the UK may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). To qualify for ILR, one must be recognized as a leader after three years of living and working in the UK under the visa or as an emerging leader after five years. Another critical requirement during the ILR qualifying period is not to spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any year.

The benefits of ILR include not having to apply for further visas, more flexibility in employment and study opportunities, and an exemption from the immigration healthcare surcharge. Additionally, after one year with ILR status, you can apply for British citizenship.

Source: Global Talent Visa