Global Talent Visa
Global Talent Visa UK Guide (2023)
Global Talent Visa UK
The Global Talent visa is a UK immigration category for talented and promising individuals in certain fields such as science, humanities, engineering, arts, and technology who seek to work in the UK. In February 2020, the Global Talent visa superseded the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa category. The Global Talent visa is an immigration category that leads to residence after three years if you are a talented candidate or five years if you are a Promise applicant. You may be able to apply for British citizenship after completing your settlement application and the requisite resident time in the UK.
Who is eligible to apply for a Global Talent visa?
All candidates must receive an endorsement from one of six recognized endorsing groups to be accepted for entrance under the Global Talent visa. If you apply for endorsement in science, engineering, medicine, social science, the humanities, or other academic roles and research, the Home Office will send your application to the Royal Society, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Royal Academy of Engineering, or the British Academy. Based on your profile and the evidence you give, one of these endorsing organizations will make an endorsement decision.
If you seek non-academic endorsement, such as arts and culture or digital technology, your application will be referred to Arts Council England or Tech Nation. It is vital to remember that each endorsing body has its own set of criteria for endorsement.
- Exceptional Talent criteria are for applicants who have already demonstrated a significant contribution as a leader in their field
- Exceptional Promise criteria are for applicants who are at an early stage in their careers and have already demonstrated the potential to make significant contributions as a future leader in their field.
What is the application process for a Global Talent visa?
You can apply for a Global Talent visa from within or outside the nation.
Applications from the United Kingdom
- Tier 1
- Tier 2
- Tier 5
- Tier 4, except Short Term Student Visa
- Start Up
- Innovator
Applications from outside the UK
An application for entry clearance can be made at the nearest visa appointment centre in your country of residence.
How long does it take for the Global Talent visa to be processed?
It normally takes up to 28 days to process an endorsement application. If you apply from outside the UK, it can take up to three weeks, and it can take up to eight weeks if you apply from within the UK. Under specific conditions, digital technology applicants may request that their endorsement application be expedited. Priority visa applications may be possible in some cases, and keep in mind that the applicant does not have to wait for the endorsement to be granted before applying for the visa – though they do run the risk that if the endorsement application is denied, the visa application will be denied as well.
When applying for a Global Talent Visa, what documentation is required?
- A valid passport or other travel paperwork
- Your TB test results if you are from a country where the test is necessary your endorsement letter pay the immigration health premium and application cost
Is there an eligibility requirement for a Global Talent Visa?
- Individuals wishing to enter the UK via the Global Talent route must complete the following two steps: apply for an endorsement, and then apply for the Global Talent visa after the endorsement is received.
An applicant seeking entrance clearance or leave to remain must get 70 points. How do you get 70 points?
- You have been granted an endorsement letter by an endorsing body, and your endorsement is not more than 3 months old at the time of making the application, and your endorsement has not been revoked by the endorsing body.
- Only if your endorsement was not withdrawn by the endorsing body; and
- You have earned money in the field you have been endorsed
How do I apply to Arts Council England?
Arts Council England is the endorsing body designated by the Home Office to review all the applications for endorsement from individuals who work in the following fields:
- Combined Arts
- Dance
- Literature
- Music
- Theatre
- Visual Arts, except museums, focused work
To be considered for endorsement, you must demonstrate that you are either an established leader in your industry or have the potential to become a leader, a prominent artist, or a globally acknowledged specialist in your subject.
You must be able to demonstrate that you are professionally involved in generating work of exceptional quality that has been published (other than only in newspapers or magazines), performed, presented, distributed, or exhibited on a global scale. Your field activity must be recent (within the previous five years) and demonstrate a significant (or developing in the case of an Exceptional Promise Visa application) international track record.
- Two or more recent instances of media attention for your work (advertisements are not eligible).
- Proof of recent appearances, performances, publications, or exhibitions in contexts considered internationally prominent in your area, such as showing at the Tate Modern or playing music at the O2 Centre.
Fast-Track Endorsement Process
- Has held, or has held in the previous 12 months, a peer-reviewed research fellowship or award named on the list published by the Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society, and British Academy
- Has been appointed to an academic or research position at an approved UK Higher Education Institution or research institute named on the list published by the Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society, and British Academy.
What documents will you need to provide?
An individual must provide written confirmation from an awarding body named on the list published by the Royal Society, the British Academy, and the Royal Academy of Engineering that they hold, or have held in the last 12 months, an eligible and defined peer-reviewed fellowship or award for an endorsement application under paragraph (a) above.
For an endorsement application under paragraph (b), an individual must demonstrate that he or she holds an eligible academic or research position at a UK Higher Education Institution or Research Institute named on the list published by the Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society, and British Academy, and they must provide a statement of guarantee from the Director of Human Resources, or equivalent, confirming:
- The job was advertised, and an open competition was held, or where it was not, an explanation as to why; and
- The applicant should have accepted the job offer; and
- The job title and department in which the applicant will be based; and
- At least 2 references were received; and
- A minimum of 3 academic representatives, from the employing institution, should have been a part of the interview panel; and
- At least 1 of the experts from the applicant’s field should have been part of the interview panel, or at least 1 relevant expert, independent of the employing institution, was consulted before the job offer was made
To make an endorsement application under paragraph (c), an individual must demonstrate that there are at least two years left on their employment contract or hosting agreement, that they are employed or have been employed by a UKRI-approved UK research organization, and that they will make critical contributions to work supported by a substantial research grant or award from an endorsed funder by:
- Written confirmation should be provided about the award from the endorsed funder which shows the award is worth at least £30,000 and covers a minimum of 2 years; and
- Confirming that the award is either;
- Should have been funded by an award or one-off grant that was won in an open competition; or
- It should have been attributed to a large institutional and a renewable award that is subject to periodic peer review; and
- You should provide just a dedicated declaration from the Director of Human Resources, or equivalent, at the UKRI-approved research organization, which confirms all the following:
- The applicant is very important for executing the award or grant; and
- 50% of the applicant’s time will have to be spent working on the grant or award by the endorsed funder (Principal investigators and co-investigators can aggregate time spent on multiple eligible awards or grants to demonstrate this requirement); and
- The applicant should have accepted the job offer or hosting agreement; and
- The department and the job title in which the applicant will be assigned; and
- Details of the recruitment process where the applicant was not named on the grant application.
- Full peer review endorsement
- An individual evidencing exceptional talent under full peer review must meet the following:
- Has to be an active researcher in an approved field, like related to a university, research institute or directly in the industry; and
- Have a PhD or equivalent research experience (including industrial or clinical research); and
- Meet 1 of the following requirements:
- The applicant should be a member of the national academy or a foreign member of an academy of any other country; or
- The applicant should have won an award, a prestigious internationally acclaimed prize; or
- The applicant is required to provide a letter of recommendation from a senior member of a known and recognized UK organization concerned with research in the applicant’s field
- An individual evidencing exceptional promise under full peer review must meet the following:
- The applicant should be currently active in research in a relevant field, typically in a university, research institute, or in the industry; and
- Have a PhD or equivalent research experience (including industrial or clinical research); and
- Should be beginning their career or are still in the early stages; and
- Have been awarded, or should have held a prestigious UK based research fellowship for the last 5 years or an international fellowship or an advanced post judged by the endorsing body to be equivalent to such a fellowship.
To be eligible for full peer review endorsement, what documents will you need to provide?
Individuals requesting complete peer review endorsement must give the following information:
The applicant must submit a CV detailing their career and publication history, as well as a letter of personal recommendation from a UK-based eminent personality to support their Global Talent application, which must include all of the following: how the author is connected to the applicant; the applicant’s achievements and glories in the relevant field; and how the author considers and concludes the applicant demonstrates exceptional talent or ability.
In order to be considered for Tech Nation, what are the requirements?
Tech Nation is the Home Office’s approved endorsing body for applications with a digital background.Â
Individuals seeking endorsement in the field of digital technology must demonstrate:
- If they are a technical applicant, they must demonstrate proven technical expertise in building, using, deploying, or exploiting a technology stack and building technical infrastructure;
- If they are a business applicant, they must demonstrate proven commercial investment
- Product expertise in building digital products or leading investments in significant digital product businesses.
An individual applying for an endorsement in the field of technology evidencing exceptional talent must:
- The candidate must demonstrate that they have been regarded as a prominent talent in the digital technology area, as well as offer proof of two of the following:
- The candidate must have a track record of innovation as the founder or senior executive of a product-led digital technology business, as an employee working on a novel digital field or concept; or
- The applicant must provide evidence of acknowledgment for work done outside of the applicant’s vocation that contributes to the growth of the field; or
- As a founder, senior executive, or employee of a product-led digital technology business, the candidate should have made substantial technical, commercial, or entrepreneurial contributions to the area;
- The applicant should have demonstrated exceptional ability in the field by academic contributions, through research published or endorsed by an expert.Â
An individual applying for an endorsement in the field of technology evidencing exceptional promise must:
The applicant should be able to provide evidence that they have been recognized as having the potential to be a leading talent in the digital technology field, and provide evidence of at least 2 of the following:
- The applicant should have at least 2 examples of innovation as a founder of a product-led digital technology company or as an employee working on a new digital field or concept; or
- The applicant should be able to provide proof of recognition for work beyond the applicant’s occupation that contributes to the advancement of the field; or
- The applicant should have made significant technical, commercial, or entrepreneurial contributions to the field as a founder or employee of a product-led digital technology company; or
- The applicant should have at least 2 examples of exceptional ability in the field by academic contributions, or through research endorsed by an expert.
What documents will you be required to submit?
Individuals seeking endorsement from Tech Nation must supply the following information:
- A current CV that includes your career and publishing history,
- Three dated letters of recommendation from three different well-established organizations recognized as digital technology experts
- At least ten pieces of evidence relevant to your field of expertise, which may include letters of mentorship, recommendation letters, employment documents, evidence of establishing a successful technology business, and many more.
- The materials listed above must be included in an online application to Tech Nation.
What are the eligibility criteria for a Global Talent visa in the digital technology field?
- As a known industry leader in digital technology (exceptional skill)
- As a rising star in the digital technology business (exceptional potential)
How do I obtain Tech Nation's endorsement?
- CV
- Three dated letters of recommendation signed by three distinct senior members of three different established digital technology organizations. These folks should be familiar with your skill sets to produce a letter of recommendation for you. Â
- Evidence of any active businesses established or businesses that have been dissolved in the last five years, which must have been commercially successful or otherwise demonstrate how the applicant meets the endorsement criteria
- Evidence of one or more examples of innovation in the field of digital technology
- Proof of recognition for work outside the applicant’s immediate occupation that has contributed to the advancement of the sector (they must have a proven history/record that does not simply include the regular day to day responsibilities but proves that the applicant has made a significant contribution towards the advancement of the related industry). E.g. mentoring in the technological field through the educational establishment, or any structured mentoring programmers, or open-source code sharing to give back to the tech community through various code sharing platforms that have attracted reuse, or publication of op-ed articles in reputed sources
- Evidence that the applicant has made significant technical, commercial, or entrepreneurial contributions in the digital technology sector as a founder, senior executive, or employee of a product-led digital technology company. Such evidence should show tangible significance – for example, revenue increase, breaking into new markets or segments, savings for customers, etc.
- Evidence that the applicant has demonstrated exceptional ability in the field by making academic contributions through research published or otherwise endorsed by a research supervisor or other expert.
What are the benefits of a Global Talent Visa?
The Global Talent visa provides several benefits, including:
- If a firm desires to hire you, they do not need to obtain a UK Sponsor License. You can work for an employer, be a director of a company, or be self-employed in the field you were endorsed in.
- If you join the UK under the Exceptional Promise route, you can apply for settlement after five years, or three years if you obtain a Global Talent visa.
- You may change employment without notifying the Home Office.
What should I do if my Global Talent Visa Endorsement is denied?
If your endorsement is denied, you may be entitled to request an Endorsement Review from the appropriate endorsing organization. We are experienced at overturning refusals on endorsements at Global Solicitors. Our staff will thoroughly investigate the reasons your endorsement application was denied and advise you on the best course of action to pursue.
Do I qualify for the Global Talent visa?
The Global Talent visa is more flexible than other visas. Individuals can apply for visas for periods ranging from one to five years. Although the laws allow for extension petitions, the migrant may not need to extend their visa because settlement (indefinite leave to remain) can be obtained without one. The guidelines allow migrants to work in any job category within their endorsement category. For example, if a candidate is sponsored by Tech Nation in an expert field, they can take on any job in digital technology inside that expert field. However, if the migrant seeks for extension or settlement, they must demonstrate that they have earned money in the UK and that these earnings are related to the specialist field that led to their initial approval.
However, as you can see, these needs are broad, and the option of starting your firm allows a lot of latitude and flexibility. Unless the endorsement has been revoked, extension and settlement applications do not require further support from the endorsing authority.
How much does a Global Talent visa cost?
Here is a breakdown of the Global Talent Visa fees:
| Who you’re applying for | Stage 1 – endorsement application | Stage 2 – visa application (from either inside or outside the UK) |
|---|---|---|
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If you are not from Turkey or Macedonia
|
£456
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Initial application: £152 Subsequent application: £608
|
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If you are from Turkey or Macedonia
|
£456
|
Initial application: £97 Subsequent application: £553
|
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Dependants
|
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£608 per dependant (in all cases)
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NB: applicants also have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is £624 per year per person OR £470 per year per child under 18 years old
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For how long will you be able to stay on the Global Talent visa?
Once accepted, a person can stay in the UK for up to five years. Following that, you may apply for an extension as many times as you like. Furthermore, you have the option of applying for ILR.
What are the steps to extend your Global Talent visa?
- The organization that approved you has not revoked its endorsement.
- During your last spell of leave in the UK, you made a fortune in your field of expertise.
How should the recommendation letters be written, who should give references, and what information should be included in them?
- To give credibility to your recommendation letter, the members should be at a senior level and have experience with the talents that you possess.
- The letters should at the very least: provide information about the author’s qualifications (such as a curriculum vitae)
- Include information on how the known expert knows the applicant, as well as the applicant’s achievements in the particular field and how, in the recognized expert’s judgment, the applicant has outstanding potential or exceptional promise.
- Include information on how the applicant would benefit from residing in the UK and how they would contribute to the UK digital technology industry. Include information about any future professional engagements the applicant has in the UK, if appropriate.
How do I know if I qualify as a promise or talent? Also, could you provide some examples of practical applications?
Considerable Contribution
Mr. A has spent the last four years working in data science roles for a global corporation, and he can demonstrate considerable contribution through high-impact initiatives and products he has led and contributed to. As a result, he intends to give proof for qualifying condition 1 in the preceding table. The CEO of his firm, in particular, has drafted a letter outlining these facts and emphasising the impact Mr. A’s effort has had (for example, certain of the work streams have resulted in revenue creation of $X Mn). It is crucial to remember that the influence and relevance may be quantified and demonstrated in a variety of ways. Other ways for someone to demonstrate substantial contributions include:
- Starting or contributing to open-source projects in a way that has been recognized by peers as advancing the area; for example, a GitHub profile might serve as proof of your coding talents.
- Should be a person with a demonstrated track record of working as the chief engineer and contributing to the success of a start-up’s key product. As evidence, you will require either a letter from the company owner or other related material that demonstrates your contribution to the product’s design and success (the document should be limited to a maximum of 4 A4-sized pages). Furthermore, this document is proof of your work, not the company’s.
Recognized as a top performer
Mr. A also released a well-reviewed book on ‘Python programming – Machine Learning’ two years ago through a well-known publisher. He will demonstrate this by including a link to the book on Amazon as well as reviews from other industry professionals and the audience. This requirement can also be met if the candidate has published work in a professional or significant trade magazine.
Alternatively, any candidate who has led the growth of a product-led digital technology company or product, as demonstrated by a letter from a leading industry expert describing your work, or as demonstrated by news clippings, lines of code, or other similar evidence of their choice, will also satisfy the rules.
Academic contributions
Mr. A has been working with a local university on researching with a team there and has written a joint publication in a reputed academic journal. He will provide details of this publication as evidence.
Candidates who provide the following evidence will also be considered:
- Evidence of prizes for exceptional applied-for work, backed up by great academic success (a first-class degree or distinction);
- A letter of recommendation from a renowned research supervisor. Also, unlike the other three recommendation letters, this one must come from an industry expert who is not the same person who signed the recommendation letter.
- Evidence of an award given by an organization of comparable rank and significance to the Royal Society in the United Kingdom, as well as the selection criteria for this honor.
Candidates with the following evidence will also be considered:
- Evidence of rewards for exceptional applied for the job, complemented by high academic accomplishment (a first-class degree or distinction);
- A letter of support from a reputable research supervisor. Also, unlike the other three recommendation letters mentioned above, this one must come from an industry expert who is not the same person who signed the recommendation letter.
- Evidence of an award given by an organization of equivalent stature and significance to the Royal Society in the United Kingdom, as well as the selection criteria for this honor.
Innovation
Mr. A has a joint patent published and can provide details and links to Google Patents with a verifiable ID.
Candidates with the following also qualify for these criteria:
- Proof highlighting the development and innovative side of the candidate which can be a well-known product in the market
- Proof of the business you own along with a well-documented set of audited accounts as well as the financial projections of the ongoing year
- Documentation of the contract of employment that includes your salary details as well as bonus, equity, and history of all earnings
- Proof of local, national, or international sales you have made with a well-documented presentation of your distribution and sales channels.
Recognition for work done outside of one’s immediate occupation
Mr. A is a frequent contributor to a prominent open-source collaborative project linked to machine learning on GitHub and can offer specifics about this project as proof.
Other pertinent evidence is as follows:
- Stack Overflow profile demonstrating strong contribution to code-related discussions
- A link to one or more videos of well-attended presentations or conferences;
- Publishing that demonstrates your expertise as a digital thought leader (this might be an op-ed or a news item).
- Mentoring evidence: This highlights your accomplishments as a teacher, mentor, and trainer. You should have participated in a mentorship program inside a recognized program to demonstrate your mentorship ability.
How can we assist?
The Global Talent visa category is very competitive, with an extensive application process. At Global Solicitors, we have a strong track record of helping successful candidates who want to stay or enter the UK under the Global Talent visa pathway. We give pleasant, practical, experienced legal counsel and will quickly identify and remedy any flaws in your application.