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04 Mar The new Global Talent visa explained

Posted on March 4, 2020 in Working in the UK by
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Non-EU migrants who work in a qualifying field and have been endorsed as a recognised leader (exceptional talent), or as an emerging leader (exceptional promise), or under the UK Research and Innovation funder option, can apply for a Global Talent visa.

In order to qualify, applicants must obtain an endorsement letter from one of the endorsing bodies:

  • The Royal Society, for science and medicine
  • The Royal Academy of Engineering, for engineering
  • The British Academy, for humanities
  • Tech Nation, for digital technology
  • Arts Council England, for arts and culture
  • UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), for research applicants
  • British Fashion Council, for fashion
  • Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), for architecture
  • Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT), for film and television

 

There are two stages for the Global Talent visa application. First, a migrant will need to apply for an endorsement from the official website: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/global-talent-endorsement. The fee is £456. Applicants will usually receive a decision within 8 weeks. However, it might be faster if the prospective applicant holds an approved peer-reviewed fellowship, is a senior academic or senior researcher at a UK university, college or research institute, or will be hosted or employed in an approved UK research organisation and will provide critical contributions to work supported by a research grant or award from an approved endorsed funder.

An applicant must provide the supporting evidence specified by their chosen endorsing body. Digital technology applicants must upload their supporting documents via the website https://tech-nation-visa.smapply.io/prog/tech_nation_visa_application/.

Following the coveted endorsement by the relevant endorsing body, the applicant will then receive an email from the Home Office with a copy of the endorsement letter. Migrants will then need to submit the endorsement letter and visa application from the official website: https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/global-talent. The fees are £152 (£97 if apply from Turkey or Macedonia) for the main applicant, whilst £608 for dependants. Please note that endorsement letters remain valid for 3 months from the date of issue and a visa application must be submitted within the validity of an endorsement letter.

Applicants can switch in the UK if they are a Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 5 (Temporary worker – government authorised exchange) migrant, in an exchange scheme for sponsored researchers, Start-up or Innovator migrant. In addition, they can select the length of entry clearance with the options as of 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years. However, the correct Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for the period of time requested will need to be paid.

A Global Talent migrant can apply for ILR once he/she has resided lawfully in the UK for a continuous 3 years if his/her last endorsement is under an endorsing body’s criteria for “exceptional talent”, under The Royal Society, The Royal Academy of Engineering or The British Academy criteria for “exceptional promise”, or under the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) “endorsed funder fast track criteria”. However, they will only qualify for settled status in 5 years if their endorsement was under Arts Council England or Tech Nation criteria for “exceptional promise”.

Please note that applicants may combine leave spent in the following categories towards the qualifying period: Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent), Tier 1 (General), Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), Tier 1 (Investor), Tier 2 (General), Tier 2 (Minister of religion), Tier 2 (Sportsperson), and Innovator visa. In addition, migrants cannot have absences from the UK of more than 180 days in any continuous 12 months during the qualifying period. Moreover, applicants will need to meet the English language requirement and pass the Life in the UK test.

Contact Our Immigration Team

For expert advice regarding any aspect of the Global Talent visa application, please contact our immigration team on 0203 384 3075.

The content of this article is for general use and information only. Since each case should be prepared on its own merit and in light of the constant amendments to the Immigration Rules, it is important to note that the information provided must not be relied upon unless Migra & Co has either given written consent or has been officially engaged in relation to a specific immigration matter. As a result, Migra & Co will take no responsibility for any damage, cost or loss resulting from relying on the information contained in this article, blog and website.