The Global Talent visa is a UK immigration category for promising and talented workers in different sectors wishing to work in the UK. It nullified the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa in February 2020. This talent visa is for individuals at both the established and early phases of their careers in fields such as science, technology, engineering, art, and humanities.
Global talent visa is a more flexible immigration option than other UK work visas. It doesn’t require employer sponsorship and does not impose limitations on the kind of job conducted in your industry. To be eligible for entry under this talent visa, applicants must seek endorsement from one of six endorsing bodies contracted by the UK Home Office. This article will cover all you need to know about this visa. Continue reading!
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How to get endorsed for the Global Talent Visa
Table of Contents
The endorsing bodies are tasked with evaluating applications from people in their different fields of expertise. These bodies create and implement sector-specific criteria and application evidence requirements. The appropriate endorsing organizations will decide whether to recommend you based on your profile and the supporting documentation you supply. The six(6) Global Talent visa endorsing bodies are:
- UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
- Royal Society
- The British Academy
- The Royal Academy of Engineering
- Tech Nation ( This body ceased operation on the 31st of March 2023, when Tech Nation ceased to operate)
- Arts Council England
Each body has its endorsement criteria and process, based on the following:
Exceptional Talent criteria
This criterion assesses individuals who can prove that they have already made a significant contribution as a leader to their field(or industry).
Exceptional Promise criteria
This criterion assesses applicants who are at an early stage in their careers. The applicants must have the potential for being future leaders and making significant contributions in their field.
Methods to gain talent visa endorsement
There are four methods through which you can gain endorsement under the Global Talent and each applies to different roles:
- Peer review
This is the endorsement of applications by The Royal Academy of Engineering, the British Academy, or The Royal Society.
- Senior appointments
This endorsement is for applicants with a job offer as a professor, associate professor, or senior group leader (or equivalent) at any UK-eligible research institute. This is accessed by the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and The Royal Society.
- Fellowships
This endorsement is for those with individual fellowships (either current or held within the past 12 months), on the list approved by The British Academy, and Royal Society the Royal Academy of Engineering.
- Endorsed funders
This is a new visa way for researchers who make valuable contributions to work supported by funding from a recognized grant funder. Qualifying applicants will be quickly tracked to the Home Office visa application stage with minimum evidential requirements.
They will also provide documents that show that they meet the individual eligibility criteria. UKRI is responsible for assessing endorsed funded applications.
How to apply for Global Talent Visa
You can apply for this visa from either within the UK or outside. If you are not in the UK, you need to apply for ‘entry clearance’ at the nearest visa appointment center in your country of residence. For applicants in the UK, you can easily apply online to switch to the Global Talent visa if you currently hold lawful status under any of these visa categories:
- Start-Up
- Innovator
- Tier 1
- Skilled worker, Tier 2
- Tier 5
- Student, Tier 4, (excluding Short Term Student Visa)
You can apply for your visa before receiving an endorsement. However, if your endorsement application is denied, so will your visa application. If your endorsement is successful, the Home Office will send you an email along with a copy of the endorsement letter. At that point, you have three months to submit your visa application. You can also ask for an endorsement review if your application is denied.
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Eligibility for the Global talent visa
You can use the Talent visa to work in the UK if you possess exceptional talent or exceptional promise in one of the following fields:
- Academia or research
- Arts and culture
- Digital technology
- Fashion design
Eligibility for Academia or research
To be eligible for a UK Talent Visa in the fields of research and academia, you must possess exceptional talent/promise in one of these fields: Science, Medicine, Engineering, and Humanities.
You must also fit into one of these categories:
- Have a job offer as a senior academic or researcher (for instance a university professor) in the UK.
- Have accepted an individual fellowship in the UK
- Be part of a research grant the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) endorses.
If you do not fit into any of the above-listed categories, you can still apply for the Talent Visa for the UK if peer review endorses your application. Here, someone in a high position and with “internationally recognized expertise” in your field must write a letter of recommendation.
Eligibility for Arts and Culture
To be eligible for a UK Talent Visa in the fields of arts and culture, you must be an exceptional talent or have exceptional promise in one of these: Combined arts, Dance Literature, Music, Theatre, Visual arts
Additionally, you must fit into one of the following groups:
- You must have worked regularly in your field (in the last five years) and have produced work that is internationally recognized and considered “outstanding” by the Arts Council England
- To apply as a leader in your field. You can prove at least 2 countries recognises your work.
Eligibility for Digital Technology
You must fall into one of the following areas to be deemed an extraordinary talent or exceptional promise in the field of digital technology.:
- You founded or held a leadership position in a tech startup with a cutting-edge product.
- You have experience in a cutting-edge digital industry or idea.
- You have imparted knowledge, served as a mentor, or worked together on initiatives that benefited the digital technology industry.
Other prerequisites include having received honors, learning new skills throughout your career, or having your study published or approved by a professional.
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Eligibility for Fashion Design
To be eligible for a UK Talent Visa in the field of fashion design:
- You must have a remarkable talent or promise in your industry.
- For the past five years, you must have worked continuously in the field of fashion design.
- You must be regarded as a key player in the field.
- You must possess art that is bought, sold, or displayed on catwalk exhibitions abroad.
- Your efforts must be acknowledged by leading in the fashion industry
To get a Global Talent visa, your endorsement application has to satisfy the validity requirements. This includes ensuring that you complete the correct application form(s) and pay the correct endorsement fee. The most important thing is that you must have secured an endorsement from the relevant body in your professional field.
