Global Talent

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 wishing to work in the UK.

The Global Talent immigration category is open to talented and promising applicants within the science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology and arts and culture (including film and television, fashion design and architecture) sectors. ‘Talent’ applicants will already be leaders in their respective field, while ‘promise’ applicants will be able to show the potential to become leaders in their field. The Global Talent category is not subject to a cap on the number of applicants, does not require a job offer and can lead to settlement in the UK.

Global Talent visa requirements

In order to apply for a Global Talent visa, you will first need to receive an endorsement from an appropriate endorsing body. You can be endorsed in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology, the arts and culture (including film and television, fashion design and architecture).

The relevant Home Office approved endorsing bodies are:

• The Royal Society – for natural and medical science applications
• The Royal Academy of Engineering – for engineering applications
• The British Academy – for humanities and social science applications
• Arts Council England – for arts, culture, fashion, architecture, film and television applications
• Tech Nation - for digital technology applications
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – for science and research applications

Each endorsing body has its own set of criteria, but in each case you will need a substantial body of work and support from experts in your field. Once you have been endorsed, you will be able to apply for a Global Talent visa.

Global Talent ILR

Global Talent migrants who continue to satisfy the requirements for an extension of stay set out above and demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the English language and life in the UK are eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain after spending a continuous period of 3 years in the UK if their last endorsement was given:

• under the “exceptional talent” criteria for any endorsing body;
• under the “exceptional promise” criteria for the endorsing bodies for science, engineering, humanities and medicine.
• under the UKRI “endorsed funder” fast track criteria.

If you were last endorsed under the “exceptional promise” criteria for Arts Council England or Tech Nation you will need to spend a continuous period of 5 years in the UK before being eligible to apply for settlement.

Residence requirement for ILR as a Global Talent migrant

In order to qualify for indefinite leave to remain in the Global Talent category you will need to have spent not more than 180 days outside the UK during any rolling 12 months during the continuous period of leave relied upon.

Global Talent migrants who hold leave following an endorsement by one of the endorsing bodies for science, engineering, humanities and medicine and who have undertaken research overseas directly related to their grant of leave, will not have such absences counted when they apply for settlement. Partners of Global Talent migrants will be treated in the same way.

Researchers seeking endorsement for a Global Talent visa

There are four routes for eligible academics and researchers to obtain endorsement for a Global Talent visa:

1. Academic and research appointments – fast-track endorsement for individuals who have accepted a position at an approved UK higher education institution or research institute with responsibility either for academic, research or innovation leadership and development, or for directing or leading an individual or team research or innovation project or programme of work. This route is administered by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society.
2. Individual fellowships – fast-track endorsement for individuals who have been awarded an individual fellowship on the list approved by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society. The fellowship must be held currently or within the last 12 months.
3. Endorsed funders – fast-track endorsement for researchers and specialists whose name or job title is specified in a successful grant application from an endorsed funder approved by UKRI. In order to be eligible, researchers must be hosted or employed by an eligible institution approved by UKRI.
   * Temporary concession for researchers working on COVID-19 grants *
   International academics and researchers wishing to work on COVID-19 related research grants can apply for a Global Talent visa via the endorsed funder route under relaxed criteria until 31 July 2021.
4. Peer review – standard endorsement for individuals who submit an application for full peer review by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering or Royal Society.

Route 4: Peer review

Route 4 of the Global Talent visa is for individuals who wish to be considered for endorsement by peer review undertaken by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering or the Royal Society.

Applicants can choose to be considered under ‘exceptional talent’ (for leaders in their field) or ‘exceptional promise’ (for potential leaders in their field). This route is not fast-track.

Exceptional talent (leader)

Mandatory criteria

• You must be an active researcher in a relevant field, typically in a university, research institute or in industry;
• You must have a PhD or equivalent research experience (including industrial or clinical research);
• You must meet one or more of the following qualifying criteria.

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