The Global Talent visa has now replaced the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa for foreign nationals with outstanding, world-class ability and status within specific professions.
While the visa provides greater autonomy compared to employer-sponsored routes, applicants must meet strict endorsement criteria and provide substantial evidence of their achievements. The process can be competitive, with each endorsing body applying different assessment standards.
Financial considerations include visa application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge, which can amount to thousands of pounds over the visa duration. Those planning to switch from another visa category must check eligibility rules, as not all visa holders can transition to the Global Talent Visa from within the UK.
For advice on your options to remain in the UK or to come to the UK on the basis of exceptional talent, contact us.
What was the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa?
The Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa was a UK immigration route designed for highly skilled individuals in science, engineering, humanities, medicine, digital technology and the arts. It allowed talented professionals to work in the UK without employer sponsorship. In 2020, the visa was replaced by the Global Talent Visa, offering a more flexible application process and broader eligibility criteria.
What is the Global Talent Visa, and who is eligible to apply?
The Global Talent Visa is a UK immigration route designed to attract highly skilled individuals recognised as leaders or emerging leaders in specific fields. Introduced in February 2020, it replaced the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa, aiming to streamline the process for exceptional talent to contribute to the UK’s growth and innovation. Eligible fields include academia or research, arts and culture, and digital technology. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and can apply from any country outside the UK. There are no nationality-based restrictions for this visa.
Eligibility depends either on obtaining an endorsement from a recognised UK body relevant to the applicant’s field, such as the Royal Society for scientists, Arts Council England for artists, or Tech Nation for digital technologists or, alternatively, individuals who have been awarded an eligible prestigious prize can apply without an endorsement.
The visa offers flexibility, allowing holders to work in various capacities, including employment, self-employment, and voluntary work, without being tied to a specific employer. It also provides a pathway to settlement in the UK, with the possibility of applying for indefinite leave to remain after three to five years, depending on the specific circumstances and field of expertise.
How to apply for the Global Talent Visa
The application process for the Global Talent Visa involves two main stages: endorsement and visa application. In the first stage, applicants must secure an endorsement from a designated UK body that verifies their status as a leader or potential leader in their field. Each endorsing body has specific criteria and guidelines, which applicants should review carefully to ensure they meet the necessary standards.
Once the endorsement is obtained, applicants can proceed to the visa application stage. The visa application is submitted online through the UK government’s official portal. Applicants will need to provide their endorsement letter, a valid passport or other travel documentation, and evidence of sufficient personal savings to support themselves. Depending on their nationality and personal circumstances, applicants may also need to provide tuberculosis test results.
As part of the application, individuals will be required to prove their identity, either by using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document or by attending a visa application centre to have their fingerprints and photograph taken.
Processing times can vary; however, decisions are typically made within eight weeks for applications submitted from outside the UK. Applicants are advised to prepare thoroughly and ensure all documentation is accurate and complete to avoid delays.
Switching to the Global Talent Visa
Individuals already residing in the UK on a different visa may be eligible to switch to the Global Talent Visa, provided they meet the necessary criteria. To do so, applicants must first obtain an endorsement from the relevant designated body, confirming their status as a leader or emerging leader in their field. Once endorsed, they can apply to switch visas from within the UK.
It’s important to note that not all visa categories allow for switching to the Global Talent Visa. For instance, those on short-term visas, such as visitors, or visas granted outside the UK’s points-based system, may not be eligible to switch. Applicants should consult the specific immigration rules outlined in Appendix Global Talent of the Immigration Rules to determine their eligibility.
Applicants must ensure that their current leave does not expire before the application process is complete, as overstaying can lead to complications.
What are the costs associated with applying for the Global Talent Visa
Applying for the Global Talent Visa involves several fees. The standard application fee is £716. If applying based on an endorsement, £524 of this fee is paid when applying for the endorsement, and the remaining £192 is paid when applying for the visa itself. For applicants who have won an eligible award and can apply without an endorsement, the full £716 is paid at the visa application stage.
In addition to the application fee, applicants are required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which grants access to the UK’s National Health Service. The IHS is £1,035 per year for each year of the visa’s duration.
Applicants should also consider other potential costs, such as those for obtaining necessary documentation, translation services if documents are not in English or Welsh, and travel expenses for attending biometric appointments if required. It’s advisable to ensure all financial requirements are met before applying to prevent any delays or issues with the application process.
Global Talent Visa dependants
Dependants can accompany a Global Talent Visa holder to the UK. Dependants include a spouse or partner and children under 18 years of age. Each dependant must submit a separate visa application and pay the associated fees, including the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Dependants are granted the same length of stay as the main visa holder and are permitted to work and study in the UK without restrictions. It’s essential for dependants to provide evidence of their relationship to the main applicant, such as marriage or birth certificates, and demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves upon arrival in the UK. Ensuring all documentation is accurate and complete will facilitate a smoother application process for family members.
Need assistance?
At DavidsonMorris we have the experience to advise you on UK immigration options.As a team of immigration lawyers and former Home Office employees, we have an established reputation for effective and efficient processing of visa applications, and for providing expert visa-related advice. Contact our specialists today.
FAQs
What is the Global Talent Visa?
A UK visa for recognised leaders or emerging talent in academia, arts, and digital technology, replacing the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa.
Who qualifies for this visa?
Individuals endorsed as leaders or emerging leaders in specific fields by approved UK organisations, or winners of eligible international awards.
How long does endorsement take?
Endorsements typically take up to 8 weeks, depending on the endorsing body’s review process and complexity of the application.
Can I bring family members to the UK?
Your spouse, partner, and children under 18 can join you as dependants, allowing them to live, work, and study in the UK.
Does this visa lead to permanent residency?
Holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 3 or 5 years, depending on their endorsement category.
Can I work for any UK employer?
This visa provides flexibility, allowing employment, self-employment, and voluntary work without employer sponsorship restrictions.
Are there minimum salary requirements?
There are no minimum salary thresholds; applicants must demonstrate talent or potential rather than meeting specific financial criteria.
Can I switch to this visa within the UK?
Many UK visa holders can switch to this category within the UK, subject to meeting eligibility and endorsement requirements.
Is there an English language requirement?
There is no formal English language requirement for the Global Talent Visa, simplifying the application process.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa | A UK visa for highly skilled professionals in specific fields, replaced by the Global Talent Visa in 2020. |
| Global Talent Visa | The UK immigration route for recognised leaders or emerging leaders in academia, arts, digital technology, and other key industries. |
| Endorsement | A formal approval from a recognised UK body confirming an applicant’s expertise in their field as a leader or emerging leader. |
| Endorsing Body | A UK organisation authorised to assess and endorse Global Talent Visa applicants, such as the Royal Society or Tech Nation. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | A mandatory fee paid by visa applicants to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during their stay. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | A UK immigration status allowing a person to live, work, and study in the UK without time restrictions. |
| Prestigious Prize Route | An alternative application pathway allowing individuals with certain internationally recognised awards to apply without an endorsement. |
| Self-Sponsorship | The ability to work in the UK without needing an employer to act as a visa sponsor, giving greater employment flexibility. |
| Dependants | Family members (spouse, partner, or children under 18) who can apply to join a Global Talent Visa holder in the UK. |
| Visa Switching | The process of changing from one visa category to another while inside the UK, subject to eligibility rules. |
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals
