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Global Talent Visa

Global Talent Visa UK

The Global Talent Visa is a very attractive option to many applicants hoping to live and work in the UK. The Global Talent Visa offers a fast route to settlement in the UK, the option to bring dependents, a low application cost and no financial or English language requirement.

More significantly, this visa gives applicants the flexibility to make their own career choices. Applicants are not tied to one employer like many other work visas and also have the option of starting their own businesses.

This route is open for applicants who have exceptional talent or exceptional promise in the field of science, engineering, humanities, social science, medicine, digital technology or arts and culture. Our global talent visa lawyers in London & Croydon can provide specific advice and assistance for your application.

Global Talent Visa Applications

Global talent visa applications replaced the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) route, with the aim of improving the UK’s appeal to highly skilled individuals with specialist skills that will enrich the UK’s knowledge, economy and society.

By offering this bespoke immigration route to both EU and non-EU citizens, the government hopes to attract the ‘leaders of tomorrow’ in key sectors such as science, humanities, engineering, the arts and digital technology.

Global Talent Visa Solicitors

The Global Talent visa offers successful applicants a highly flexible permission which allows them to come to the UK for up to five years on a single application. Applicants can choose the length of their visa with a maximum of five years, and also have the option to renew multiple times.

Applicants do not need to have a confirmed job offer in order to apply, but must obtain an endorsement from a list of selected UK industry bodies that have been approved by the Home Office. Once in the UK, Global Talent visa holders are permitted to work for an employer or be self-employed, change jobs without informing the Home Office, travel abroad and return to the UK for research purposes, and bring dependents with them.

There will also be a fast-track Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) scheme available for top scientists and researchers, which will provide a quicker endorsement process for these highly skilled individuals. In order to qualify for the fast-track scheme, applicants must:

  • Have a named award or fellowship
  • Be in a senior academic position within an eligible Higher Education institution or research organisation
  • Be part of a publicly funded research team which is in receipt of prestigious funding or awards.

Who can apply for a Global Talent Visa ?

Since January 2021, both EU and non-EU citizens can apply for a Global Talent visa, providing they meet the eligibility criteria for this route. Applicants must be a leader or potential leader in an eligible field, including academia or research, arts and culture or digital technology.

Before applying for a Global Talent visa, applicants must be endorsed by a recognised UK body within their field who will verify their expertise. The organisations currently approved by the Home Office to provide endorsements are:

  • The Royal Society, for science and medicine;
  • The Royal Academy of Engineering, for engineering;
  • The British Academy, for humanities;
  • UK Research and Innovation, for science and research;
  • Tech Nation, for digital technology;
  • Arts Council England, for arts and culture.

Applicants must also pass all relevant criminality and immigration checks, and pay the associated visa application fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge.

What are the Global Talent Visa conditions?

The Global Talent visa route will have no cap, meaning there will be no limit on the number of eligible individuals who can use the route.

Unlike many other immigration routes, the Global Talent route has no English language or maintenance requirements, although applicants and their dependents will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge in order to access free healthcare in the UK, as there will be no access to public funds under this route.

Main applicants will be able to bring dependents with them to the UK, providing they pay the associated fees.

What does the Global Talent Visa route mean for employers?

UK businesses also have the potential to benefit from the Global Talent route, as employers will not need to hold a valid Home Office sponsor licence to employ a migrant on a Global Talent visa.

Applying for a Global Talent visa? Our immigration lawyers can help.

If you have questions regarding the Global Talent route or any other UK immigration routes, BHD Solicitors is here to help.

We are committed to supporting businesses and individuals as they adapt to the changes that the UK’s new immigration system will bring. We will work with you from initial consultation to delivery, to ensure your visa application process is as stress-free as possible.

For further information and a free telephone consultation, call our Central London or Croydon offices today on 0208 681 5128 and speak to one of our global talent visa lawyers.

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