Global Talent Visa

As of 20 February 2020, the Global Talent visa replaced the former Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa.  The introduction of the Global Talent visa is an expansion of the former route. Applicants who were preparing to submit an application under the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa can still submit their application under the Global Talent visa. The Global Talent visa is for talented and promising individuals in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology, and arts and culture (including film and television, fashion design, and architecture) wishing to work in the UK. The Home Office expects Applicants to be leaders in their chosen field or have evidence that they have the potential to be leaders with backing from an approved endorsement body.

What is a Global Talent visa?

The UK Government has introduced a brand new work visa for talented and promising migrant workers in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology, and arts and culture wishing to work in the UK. The Home Office expects applicants to be leaders in their chosen field or have evidence that they have the potential to be leaders with backing from an approved endorsement body. The Global Talent visa is very similar to the former Tier 1 Exceptional Talent and is considered to be an expansion of the former route and not a replacement.

How can I get Global Talent Visa for UK?

The relevant rules and requirements for this visa can be located in the Immigration Rules Appendix Global Talent. The application process is broken down into two stages and both stages must be completed. The first stage is to apply for an endorsement with a Home Office approved governing body.  The second stage is to apply for the actual visa directly to the Home Office. It is possible to apply for both stages simultaneously.

During stage one, an endorsing body assesses your skills, abilities and achievements, and advises the Home Office of their decision on whether you should be endorsed. Applicants will be required to show that they fall under one of the following categories:

  • A leader in their chosen sector (exceptional talent); or
  • An emerging leader (exceptional promise); or
  • Applying under the UK Research and Innovation endorsed funder option.

The endorsing bodies are:

If your qualifying field is fashion, architecture, or film and television, Arts Council England will pass on your application for review to:

  • British Fashion Council, for fashion;
  • Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), for architecture; and
  • Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT), for film and television.

Alternatively, Applicants who have been awarded a prestigious prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes is considered as showing “exceptional talent” and therefore do not need to apply for an endorsement.

During stage two, the Home Office considers immigration aspects, such as whether general grounds for refusal apply and, if you are already in the UK, whether you are able to switch into the Global Talent category.   

What are the main routes under the Global Talent visa?

The new global talent visa will have 4 main routes:

  • Senior appointments: This is for migrants who have accepted a job of professor, associate professor, reader, senior group leader, or equivalent at any UK higher education institution or eligible research institute provided certain recruitment requirements were met. This path is administered by The British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and The Royal Society
  • Fellowships: This is for migrants who have been awarded a fellowship for their academic and research achievements by an approved body i.e. British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and Royal Society.
  • Endorsed funders: This is for researchers and specialists whose name or job title is specified in a successful grant application from a recognised funder. This path is administered by UK Research and Innovation.
  • Peer review: standard endorsement for individuals who submit a successful application for review by The British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering or The Royal Society (depending on their field of expertise).

If you do not fall within the context of any of the above routes you may still be eligible to apply for this visa.

What does the introduction of the Global Talent visa mean for the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa?

After 20 February 2020 all applicants making a new Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa application must apply under the new Global Talent visa route. However, if you have already submitted a stage one endorsement application under the former Tier 1 Exceptional Talent and you can apply for stage two under the Global Talent route as there is a transitional period for applicants who fall under this category.

What you can and cannot do on a Global Talent Visa?

The Global Talent Visa is similar to the former Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa and there are a number of permitted and prohibited activities under this new visa. Under the Global Talent visa, you can apply for a visa for any period between 1 to 5 years. You can apply to extend your visa as many times as necessary and you can also apply for settlement. You can apply to work for an employer or as a director of a company or be self-employed. You can change jobs without notifying the Home Office. You can undertake voluntary work and apply for your dependents to join you. Similarly to other visas under the Points Based System you cannot access public funds, work as a doctor or dentist in training or work as a professional sportsperson or coach.

Can I apply for Global Talent Settlement?

The Global Talent Visa offers several settlement routes. Under paragraph GT 11.1 of Appendix Global Talent, Applicants who were granted their initial application using a prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes or who are endorsed by one of the four Science bodies qualify for accelerated settlement in 3 years instead of 5 years. For Applicants who were endorsed by Tech Nation or the Arts Council England, Applicants only qualify for accelerated settlement if they were endorsed under the ‘talent’ criteria, and not ‘promise’ criteria.

I have a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa shall I switch into the Global Talent visa?

It is recommended that Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa holders switch into the Global Talent visa. Applicants who are endorsed under the Tier 1 Exceptional talent visa can apply to switch into the Global Talent visa category without having to apply for a new endorsement under Appendix Global Talent of the Immigration Rules. By switching into the Global Talent visa Applicants can enjoy the benefits that are ascribed to the visa such as work for an employer, as a director of a limited company, or be self-employed and change jobs without having to inform the Home Office. Applicants can also do voluntary work and apply for their family members to join them in the UK.

Why you should instruct us with your Global Talent visa?

Whilst the Global Talent category is a new visa the application process and requirements are similar to the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa. Our immigration team has ample experience in preparing all Point Based System applications including the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa. Our immigration team specialises in preparing applications at the highest standard. We have an impeccable track history of submitting successful applications, especially where there are complexities. The key to submitting successful applications is being aware of the relevant Immigration Rules and more importantly the latest case law. Our immigration team is able to guide you through the entire application process (stages one and two). We prepare detailed legal submissions which focus on how your application meets the requirements for a Global Talent visa. In addition to the legal representations, our team of solicitors also provide multiple substantial reviews of your documents to ensure that you submit the correct documentary evidence. We also prepare and assist with completing the application form and submit your documents on your behalf.

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