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Global Talent Visa
Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent visa is open to 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) who wish to work in the UK. 'Talent' applicants are already leaders in their respective fields, while 'promise' applicants show potential to become leaders.
Global Talent Endorsement Application
To qualify for a Global Talent visa, you must satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:
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You are aged 18 or over.
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You have been issued an endorsement letter by a Home Office-approved endorsing body or have been awarded a prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes.
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Your application does not fall under the general grounds for refusal.
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You have provided a valid TB certificate, if required.
The exact requirements will vary depending on your circumstances. For expert advice, consider consulting an immigration lawyer.
Global Talent Prestigious Prizes Route
Most applicants need an endorsement from an appropriate endorsing body as evidence of their exceptional talent or promise. You can be endorsed in science, engineering, medicine, social science, humanities, digital technology, and arts and culture (including film and television, fashion design, and architecture).
Each endorsing body has its own criteria for endorsement, requiring a substantial body of work and support from experts in your field. For more details on endorsement requirements for each field, visit the following pages:
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Global Talent Visa: Arts and Culture
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Global Talent Visa: Film and Television
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Global Talent Visa: Architecture
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Global Talent Visa: Fashion
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Global Talent Visa: Digital Technology
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Global Talent Visa: Science, Engineering, Humanities, Social Science, and Medicine
Once endorsed, you can apply for a Global Talent visa. Alternatively, if you have been awarded a qualifying Prestigious Prize, you can make a single visa application without obtaining an endorsement from a Global Talent endorsing body.
Global Talent Category English Language Requirement
Winning a qualifying prestigious award allows you to fast-track the endorsement application and proceed directly to a single visa application. The list of prestigious prizes is in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes and is updated periodically.
To qualify as a prestigious prize, it must:
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Be awarded to a named individual, recognizing their exceptional talent.
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Not be for specific works or organizations.
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Be open to all nationalities.
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Be determined by experts or peers, not the public.
Global Talent Route Maintenance Funds Requirement
Global Talent visa applicants do not need to meet a maintenance funds requirement.
Duration of a UK Global Talent Visa
Applicants entering or extending their stay in the Global Talent route do not need to meet an English language requirement. However, they must demonstrate sufficient English knowledge to qualify for settlement in the UK.
Global Talent Visa Extension
Applicants can choose how much leave, in whole years, up to a maximum of 5 years, they wish to be granted in a single application. This flexibility allows applicants to minimize their Immigration Health Surcharge payment.
Global Talent ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
If you wish to stay longer than anticipated or cannot apply for settlement due to excessive absences, you can extend your stay. There is no maximum number of years you can remain in the UK under the Global Talent visa.
To qualify for an extension, you must have earned money in the UK during your last grant of leave, linked to the field of your initial endorsement or prize. Provide evidence from an independent source verifiable by the Home Office. Additionally, your endorsement must not be withdrawn, and the endorsing body must continue to be Home Office-approved. The Home Office will check your character and immigration history.
Residence Requirement for ILR
To qualify for ILR, you must not spend more than 180 days outside the UK during any 12-month period within the continuous period of leave relied upon. Absences due to research overseas related to your grant of leave are not counted. Partners of Global Talent migrants are treated similarly.
Settlement
To apply for ILR after 3 years, you must:
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Be endorsed by the Royal Society, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, or UKRI.
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Be endorsed under the exceptional talent criteria by Arts Council England or Tech Nation.
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Have been granted your initial application using a prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes.
Applicants endorsed under the “exceptional promise” criteria by Arts Council England or Tech Nation need to spend a continuous 5-year period in the UK. The relevant period can include time spent in the Global Talent, Innovator, Tier 1 (excluding Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur), Skilled Worker, T2 Minister of Religion, T2 Sportsperson, Scale-up, or Representative of an Overseas Business categories.
Switching Into the Global Talent Route
You can switch into the Global Talent route from within the UK unless you have or were last granted permission to stay as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or under outside the Immigration Rules. In such cases, you must apply from your home country.
When to Apply for a Global Talent Visa
Apply for a Global Talent visa within three months of receiving your endorsement and up to three months before you intend to travel. Plan your application accordingly.
Global Talent Visa Application Processing Times
To expedite your application, use priority services at most application centres. The Home Office processing typically takes around a month, but with priority services, it can take around a week, and some centres offer a 24-hour service. Note that endorsement decisions must be made before processing your visa application.
Working in the UK on a Global Talent Visa
Global Talent visa holders have full rights to work (including self-employment and voluntary work) but cannot be employed as professional sportspersons or coaches. While there is no requirement to complete a certain amount of work, some work is necessary for permanent settlement. Visa holders can also study in the UK but cannot access public funds.
Can a Global Talent Visa Holder Bring Family Members?
Global Talent visa holders can bring their spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner, and their children, provided they are under 18 when making their first visa application.
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