Global Talent Visa
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What is a Global Talent Visa?
This visa route is available for individuals who is a leader or potential leader or has won an eligible award in the fields of academia or research, arts and culture or digital technology Applicants will need an endorsement from an approved organisation. This route is a route to settlement. Initial visa granted is a five year visa which can be extended each time it expires.
What is the benefit of applying for the Global Talent visa category?
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There are no English language or minimum salary eligibility requirements
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You can be an employee, self-employed and a director of any company in the field that you are endorsed
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You can change or stop doing your job without telling the Home Office
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You can bring your dependents with you to the UK
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You can choose how long your visa is for, between 1 to 5 years
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You can switch from other visa rule to this visa route (exception applies)
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You can extend your visa and there is no limit on the number of times you can extend (provided eligibility requirements are met)
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You can apply to settle in the UK after 3 years or 5 years of stay in the UK (provided other eligibility requirements are met)
Eligibility and application process
Stage 1 - endorsement
Unless you have won an eligible award (list of award can be found here), applicants must apply for an endorsement from the following endorsing bodies before applying for the visa with Home Office:
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Arts Council England – for arts, culture, architecture, fashion, film and television
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The British Academy – for humanities and social science
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The Royal Academy of Engineering – for engineering
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The Royal Society – for natural sciences and medical science research
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UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – for science and research
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Tech Nation – for digital technology
Eligibility criteria is different depending on which area of talent you are in. It is crucial that you are familiar with the eligibility criteria before making an application for endorsement. Our experienced team can give you an initial assessment on your eligibility. Book an appointment now.
Stage 2 - visa application
The following documents are needed for visa application:
1. Endorsement letter (dated within 3 months before visa application is submitted)
2. Tuberculosis Test Certificate if you are from a country where you have to take the test
What is the application fee and processing time?
Application fee
Entry clearance:
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Main applicant:
Endorsement: £456
Visa : £152
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Each dependant: £608
Visa Extension:
Main applicant: £608
Each dependant: £608
Healthcare Surcharge
£624 per year for each person applying
Processing time
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Endorsement: Up to 8 weeks (3 weeks if the endorsing body offers fast track)
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Visa: 3 weeks (if you’re outside the UK); or 8 weeks (if you’re inside the UK)
Extending your visa
You may apply to extend your visa if either of the following criteria is met:
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you applied for the Global Talent visa based on an endorsement, and the organisation that endorsed you has not withdrawn its approval
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you applied for a Global Talent visa based on an eligible award you won, and the award has not been withdrawn
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You must be able to show that you earned money in your expert field during your time in the UK. Evidence supporting your application includes payslips, bank statements, etc. Full list of acceptable evidence can be found here.
Applying for settlement
Eligibility
You may apply to settle in the UK (indefinite leave to remain) if you meet the following criteria:
1. Time spent in the UK
You have stayed in the UK for a qualified period of time. Length of qualifying period required depends how you were endorsed:
If you did not need an endorsement for your visa because you had won an eligible award, you can apply after 3 years.
If you switched from other visa to Global Talent Visa, time you’ve spent on the following visas can be counted towards the qualifying period:
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any Tier 1 visa - except Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)
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Tier 2 (General) or Skilled Worker
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Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) or T2 Minister of Religion
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Tier 2 (Sportsperson) or T2 Sportsperson
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Innovator
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Representative of an Overseas Business
2. You must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months during the qualifying period
Exception:
i) You had won an eligible award in the fields of science, engineering, humanities or medicine and did not need any endorsement
ii) You were endorsed by the Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, British Academy or UK Research and Innovation and the reason you left the UK is to do work related to the job.
3. You have passed Life in the UK Test
4. You have met English language requirement
Other family members
Other family members should also meet all the requirements (including length of the qualifying period) at the time of the settlement application. If they have not met the requirements yet, the should apply separately at a later time. Qualifying period of a dependant is 5 years living with the main applicant in the UK (even though the main applicant applied for settlement after he has spent 3 years in the UK). You also need to prove that you have sufficient income to support your dependants.
Application Fee
Application fee for each applicant is £2,389. Decision time currently 6 months. You can also pay an addition of £800 for next day or 2 working days decision.
Get in touch with our immigration team today if you need help with your Global Talent visa application