The Global Talent visa category is designed to attract top talent from around the world in fields such as science, engineering, digital technology, and the arts.
The Global Talent visa replaced the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa in 2020, and it is open to applicants from all countries. To be eligible for the Global Talent visa, applicants must be endorsed by one of the UK's approved endorsing bodies, which include the Royal Society, the Arts Council England, and Tech Nation, among others.
Overall, the Global Talent visa is a highly sought-after visa option for those who possess exceptional talent and who wish to live and work in the UK.
If you need legal advice or help with your Global Talent visa application, our experienced immigration lawyer can provide you with the help you need.
Call Rex Law Chambers on 0161 989 9370 or fill in our enquiry form for immigration advice and help with your Global Talent visa application.
Table of Contents
- What is a Global Talent visa?
- Requirements for Global Talent visa
- UK Global Talent visa stages
- How long you can stay
- Extension of Global Talent visa
- Switch to a Global Talent visa
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
- Your partner and children
- Visa application processing time
- How can our immigration lawyer help you?
Requirements for Global Talent visa
The requirements for the Global Talent visa in the UK are as follows:
- Age: You must be 18 or over when you apply.
- Endorsement: You must be endorsed as a leader or emerging leader in your field by a relevant endorsing body. The endorsing body must be approved by the UK government and must be relevant to your area of expertise.
- Leader or potential leader: You must be a leader or potential leader in the field of academia or research, arts & culture or digital technology.
You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements depending on type of application and your personal circumstances. Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and to discuss the options.
UK Global Talent visa stages
Stage 1: Endorsement
To get a Global Talent visa, you need to apply to be endorsed:
- as a leader (exceptional talent)
- as an emerging leader (exceptional promise)
- under the UK Research and Innovation endorsed funder option
You need to apply for endorsement for a UK Global Talent visa before you can make an application for entry clearance for a Global Talent visa from outside the UK or an application for switching to a Global Talent visa from inside the UK. If you're successful you'll receive an email from the Home Office with a copy of your endorsement letter. You'll need these for your visa application.
You can use a valid endorsement given under the old Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa rules to apply for a Global Talent visa. You will not need to get a new endorsement under the Global Talent visa rules.
Stage 2: Visa application
After you have received an endorsement from a Designated Competent Body as a result of a successful stage 1 application for endorsement, you can move on to stage 2 of the process. You must apply for your entry clearance as a Global Talent within 3 months of receiving your letter of endorsement from the Home Office, UKVI. You must submit your letter of endorsement in support of your application for entry clearance as a Global Talent.
How long you can stay
You can apply to stay for between 1 and 5 years. You only have to pay the healthcare surcharge for the amount of time you choose to stay. You can apply to extend your visa as many times as you like. Each extension can last from 1 to 5 years.
You can apply for settlement once you've been in the UK for:
- 3 years with an exceptional talent visa
- 3 years with an exceptional talent endorsement in science
- 3 years with an endorsement under the UKRI endorsed funder scheme
- 5 years with an exceptional promise endorsement in either arts and culture or digital technology
Extension of Global Talent visa
If you are currently on a Global Talent visa in the UK and wish to extend your stay, you can apply for an extension before your current visa expires. To be eligible for an extension, you must continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the Global Talent visa, including maintaining your endorsement from the relevant endorsing body.
The application process for an extension is similar to the initial application process. You will need to provide evidence of your continued activity in your field and demonstrate that you are still considered to be a leader or emerging leader in your field. You will also need to pay a fee and provide biometric information as part of the application.
If your extension application is successful, you will be granted a further period of leave to remain in the UK under the Global Talent visa category. The length of the extension will depend on the circumstances of your case but can be up to five years. It is important to apply for an extension before your current visa expires, as failure to do so may result in you being required to leave the UK.
Switch to a Global Talent visa
If you are already in the UK on a different type of visa and wish to switch to a Global Talent visa, you may be able to do so if you meet the eligibility requirements.
To switch to a Global Talent visa you must be in the UK and have either:
- won an eligible award
- proven that you are a leader or potential leader in one of the fields covered by the visa - this is also called getting an endorsement
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
If your application is successful, you will be granted a Global Talent visa which will allow you to live and work in the UK for up to five years. After this time, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK.
It's also important to note that an extension of your Global Talent visa may not automatically lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. If you wish to apply for ILR, you must meet the eligibility requirements for this visa category and apply separately.
Your partner and children
Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your 'dependants' if they’re eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.
Your relationship
A dependent partner or child is any of the following:
- your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
- your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay
- your child over 18 if they're currently in the UK as your dependant
You'll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.
Global Talent visa processing time
You'll usually get a decision on your Global Talent visa within 3 weeks if you're applying from outside the UK using standard service. It will take up to 8 weeks if you are applying from inside the UK.
You may be able to use priority service to get your visa faster depending on what country you're in.
How can our immigration lawyer help you?
As part of our immigration services for your immigration application, our expert immigration lawyer will:
- assess your eligibility for the relevant visa type by fully considering your circumstances;
- advise you on the required supporting documents to be submitted in support of your immigration application;
- assess all the documents to ensure that the documents you provide are as per the requirements of the Immigration Rules;
- advise you on strengths and potential weaknesses in your visa application and how you can overcome such weaknesses if any;
- complete the online immigration draft application form to share it with you for cross-checking;
- submit your application online and schedule your biometrics appointments with the relevant commercial partner of the UKVI;
- prepare a detailed cover letter in support of the immigration application explaining in detail how you are meeting all the requirements of the Immigration Rules so that you have the maximum chances of succeeding in your visa application;
- upload all the supporting documents online in support of the immigration application in their correct format and order;
- dealing and responding to any caseworker enquiries or correspondence from the Home Office caseworker for any further documents or information concerning your pending immigration application;
- do all the follow-up work on your immigration application until a decision is received from the Home Office UKVI.
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