Global Talent Visa

The Global Talent Visa is a UK immigration route for individuals with exceptional talent or promise in specific sectors who want to work in the UK. It covers fields such as science, engineering, technology, art and humanities. It is more flexible and less costly than other UK work visas, as it does not require a job offer or sponsorship by an employer.

The Global Talent Visa also offers a fast track to settlement in the UK for eligible individuals. Depending on your field and criteria, you may be able to apply for UK settlement after 3 or 5 years. This means you can live, work and study in the UK indefinitely, and apply for benefits if you qualify. You can also apply for British citizenship after 12 months of settlement.

In this guide, we explain how to apply for a Global Talent Visa and what are the requirements and benefits of this route.

There are four ways to obtain an endorsement under the Global Talent category for different roles:

Peer review – endorsement of applications by The British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering or The Royal Society.

Senior appointments – endorsement for applicants with a job offer as a professor, associate professor, reader, senior group leader or equivalent at any UK higher education institution or eligible research institute, by the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and The Royal Society.

Fellowships – endorsement for those with an individual fellowship (either current or held within the last 12 months), on the list approved by The British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Society.

Endorsed funders – a new visa route for researchers who make critical contributions to work supported by grant funding from a recognised funder. Qualifying applicants will be fast tracked to the Home Office visa application stage with minimal evidential requirements, where they meet the individual eligibility criteria. UKRI will be responsible for assessing endorsed funded applications.

The Global Talent Visa replaced the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa in 2020, as part of the UK Government’s strategy to attract global talent to Britain.

The requirements are less stringent than those of other work visas under the UK’s new points-based immigration system.

To apply for a Global Talent Visa, you must meet some eligibility requirements, and in most cases, you must also obtain an endorsement from one of six Home Office-approved endorsing bodies, unless you have won a prestigious prize in your field, which exempts you from the endorsement requirement.

The endorsing bodies are responsible for assessing your profile and evidence in your professional field, and applying sector-specific criteria and standards. They will then issue an endorsement letter if they approve your application.

This list of endorsing bodies is subject to ongoing review.

Each body has its own endorsement process and criteria, based on the following:

Exceptional Talent criteria: for individuals who can show they have already made a significant contribution as a leader in their field.

Exceptional Promise criteria: for individuals who are at an early stage in their careers and have shown the potential to become leaders in their field.

Application TypeGlobal Talent visa: 70 points
Global talent visa applicationYou are not relying on an endorsement as you have been awarded a prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes OR You have been issued with an endorsement letter by an endorsing body AND at the time when making the application your endorsement is not older than 3 months AND your endorsement was not withdrawn by the endorsing body.
Global talent visa extension applicationYou have met the earned money requirement AND If you were granted your initial application using an endorsement, has not had your endorsement withdrawn by the endorsing body OR If relying on a prize and not endorsement, your prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes must not have been withdrawn

For digital technology professionals, Tech Nation is the appointed endorsing body, at least until 31 March 2023. Tech Nation announced it is closing on 31 March 2023, and details of the impact of the closure on visa endorsements have yet to be confirmed. We will update this guide once this information has been made available.

There is no limit on the number of Global Talent Visas that can be issued to eligible applicants in this sector. To obtain an endorsement by Tech Nation in digital technology, you must either be:

a technical expert who can demonstrate your proficiency in creating technological infrastructure and building, using or exploiting technology stacks; or

a business specialist who can provide evidence of your commercial, investment or product expertise in creating digital products or managing investments in large digital product enterprises.

Tech Nation requires proof to support your endorsement application. For example, you should submit a CV that details your work and publishing history, as well as three letters of recommendation with your application to Tech Nation for a digital technology endorsement.

The letters of recommendation must come from three different reputable organisations that are recognised as authorities in digital technology. They must show how they know you, your achievements in your field, how they think you have exceptional talent or promise and the impact you will make to the UK digital economy.

Talented people in cinema and television who want to work in the UK may qualify for the Global Talent Visa route. There is no cap on the number of applicants who can be endorsed under the film and television subcategory of the Global Talent route.

The Producers’ Alliance for Film and Television (PACT) will assess applicants’ eligibility for endorsement in film, television, animation, post-production and visual effects sectors on behalf of Arts Council England. However, those who work in animation, post-production, visual effects and film sectors must show “extraordinary ability”. PACT does not support applications with “exceptional promise”.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) (on behalf of Arts Council England) will determine whether applicants are leaders or potential leaders in their fields.

There is no limit on the number of applicants who can be endorsed under the architecture subcategory of the Global Talent route.

To be endorsed by the Royal Institute of British Architects you must be professionally employed as an architect producing work of outstanding quality that has been published, presented or exhibited internationally.

You must have been regularly engaged as a professional architect in the last 5 years and be able to show a substantial track record in more than one country (if applying under exceptional talent criteria) or a developing track record in one or more countries if applying under exceptional promise criteria.

There is no limit on the number of applicants who can be endorsed under the science, engineering, humanities, social science and medicine fields subcategory of the Global Talent route.

The Royal Society (for applications in natural and medical sciences), the Royal Academy of Engineering (for applications in engineering), the British Academy (for applications in humanities and social sciences), or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will assess whether applicants are leaders or potential leaders in their fields for science and research applications.

The criteria and process for endorsement will depend on whether you are applying under the fast track or full peer review route.

Global Talent

Applications in the fields of combined arts, dance, literature, music, theatre and visual arts are assessed by Arts Council England, including those working in an artistic context in galleries and museums. Applicants must be leaders or potential leaders in their fields.

There is no limit on the number of applicants who can be endorsed under the arts and culture subcategory of the Global Talent route.

You must be professionally producing work of outstanding quality that has been performed, presented, distributed or exhibited internationally to be eligible for an arts and culture endorsement from Arts Council England.

If you are applying on the basis of exceptional talent, you must have consistently worked as a professional practitioner in your field for the last 5 years and be able to demonstrate a significant track record in more than one country (if applying under exceptional talent criteria) or a developing track record in one or more countries if applying under exceptional promise criteria.

The British Fashion Council (BFC), on behalf of Arts Council England, will assess whether applicants are leaders or potential leaders in their fields.

The British Fashion Council can endorse applications from people working in the fashion design sector who play key roles in the industry.

There is no limit on the number of applicants who can be endorsed under the fashion sector subcategory of the Global Talent route.

Following a change to the rules in March 2021, Global Talent applicants who hold one of the specified prestigious prizes are eligible to apply for a Global Talent Visa without the need to obtain an endorsement. These prizes have been identified by the Global Talent endorsing bodies as demonstrating exceptional talent.

Global Talent applications are also open to individuals who hold one of the prestigious prizes as listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes of the Immigration Rules. These prizes have been identified by the Global Talent endorsing bodies as demonstrating exceptional talent.

If you are the named recipient of one of the qualifying prestigious prize, you would be eligible to apply for a Global Talent Visa without the need to obtain endorsement.

This means you benefit from a fast-tracked application process as you are exempt from having to secure endorsement and can proceed straight to the visa application stage.

The prize There are no stipulations as to when you must have received the prize. This means you could rely on a prize that is recent or was awarded several years ago, provided your award has not since been withdrawn.

It is possible to apply for your visa before securing endorsement, however, should your endorsement not be approved, your visa application will also be refused.

If you have successfully been endorsed, you will receive an email from the Home Office with a copy of the endorsement letter, at which point you have three months to make your visa application.

If your application is refused, you may be able to request an endorsement review.

You can apply for a Global Talent visa from either inside or outside the UK.

If you are outside the UK, you can apply for entry clearance at the nearest visa application centre in your country of residence.

If you are already in the UK, you can apply online to switch to the Global Talent visa if you currently have lawful status under one of the following visa categories: Student or Tier 4 (except for Short Term Student Visa).

To apply for an endorsement, you must meet the validity requirements. This means that you must complete the correct application form(s), pay the correct endorsement fee, and obtain an endorsement from the relevant endorsing body in your professional field.

Once you have obtained an endorsement, you must ensure that your visa application is also valid. You must use the correct form, pay all relevant fees (including the Immigration Health Charge), submit any required biometrics, and provide all required supporting documents (including the endorsement letter from a Home Office-approved endorsing body).

To be granted a Global Talent visa, you must meet the suitability requirements and not be subject to grounds for refusal (such as being in breach of immigration laws).

The application fee for the Global Talent Visa is £623, whether you apply from inside or outside the UK.

If you are applying based on an endorsement, you will pay this fee in two instalments: £456 for the endorsement stage, and £167 for the visa stage.

If you are applying based on a prestigious prize, you will pay the full fee of £623 with your visa application.

Each dependant who applies with you will also pay £623.

In addition, you will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is £624 per year for adults and £470 per year for children. You will have to pay the full amount for the duration of your visa when you apply.

The Global Talent Visa is valid for up to 5 years. You can choose how long you want your visa to last, in increments of one year. You can apply to extend your visa for another 5 years if you still meet the eligibility requirements. You can also apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) after 3 or 5 years, depending on your field and criteria.

Yes, you can apply to extend your Global Talent Visa, as long as you have not lost your endorsement. If your endorsement has been withdrawn, you will have to make a new application from scratch.

If you already have a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa, you can apply to extend it under the Global Talent category.

If you have a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa, you can also apply for settlement without having to switch to the Global Talent category. There is no deadline for applying for settlement under this category.

Global Talent Visa

Yes, you can apply for UK ILR with a Global Talent Visa, if you meet all the requirements. You do not need to show that you still have your endorsement when you apply for settlement.

This means that, among other things, you will have to show that you meet the residence requirement and that you have earned money from work related to your endorsement field during your stay in the UK. You do not have to be employed to show this; you can also earn money through self-employment. You do not have to work for the whole duration of your visa; you just need to show that you have earned money during that time.

The Home Office guidance allows a lot of flexibility in terms of the evidence you can provide to show your earnings. The guidance states “Applicants can provide any evidence as long as it is from an independent source which can be verified if required. The Global Talent website guidance gives a list of potential forms of evidence they may choose to provide, but this is not exhaustive.” It is advisable to seek professional guidance to ensure that you submit enough evidence for your specific situation.

You will also have to meet the English language requirement as part of your settlement application. The required level is B1 in speaking and listening according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

You can meet this requirement by:

Passing an English language test from a Secure English Language Test provider, or

Having a degree taught in English overseas, certified by UK ENIC.

Additionally, you will have to pass the Life in the UK test if you are aged between 18 and 64.

You can apply for UK settlement after either 3 or 5 years with a Global Talent Visa: 

One of the benefits of the Global Talent Visa over other work visa categories is that time spent in the UK under some other immigration categories can count towards your residence requirement for settlement.

You can include time spent in the UK with lawful status under any of the following visas in your qualifying residence:

Global talent visaSettlement qualifying period
Applicants endorsed by the endorsing bodies responsible for science, engineering, humanities and medicine granted under “promise” criteria, “talent” criteria or the new endorsed funder option.Eligible for UK settlement after 3 years
Digital technology and arts and culture applicants under “promise” criteriaEligible for UK settlement after 5 years

At Oxbridge Content, our consultants can help you navigate the Global Talent Visa application process and provide expert advice on how to meet the eligibility requirements and obtain an endorsement from one of the Home Office-approved endorsing bodies. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your goals in the UK.

  • If applying from inside the UK, you should get a decision within 3 weeks of submitting your documentation. If you are applying from outside the UK, processing is currently taking longer than the 3 week standard.

  • Once endorsed, applicants have three months to apply to the Home Office for permission to enter the UK or remain under a new grant of leave.

  • Global Talent applicants will be permitted to bring dependants who qualify under the UK immigration rules.

  • You do not necessarily need a job or to be sponsored by an employer to qualify for the Global Talent Visa. You will, however, need to meet the criteria of the endorsing body relevant to your professional field to demonstrate your exceptional talent or promise.

  • The Global Talent Visa opened in February 2020 as part of the UK Government's drive to attract global best talent to Britain.

  • Yes, with a Global Talent Visa, you can work in the UK in the fields of arts, sciences or digital technology without having to be sponsored by an employers.

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