Why the Global Talent Visa?
The Global Talent Visa is a new visa category giving talented and promising individuals in the fields of science, digital technology and arts and culture an opportunity to work in the the UK.
This visa category launches on the 20th of February 2020 and applicants can make visa applications from that date onwards with no limit on how many people can be accepted. This follows the announcement by the Prime Minister on 8 August 2019, setting out the government’s intention to develop a new fast-track immigration offer for the brightest and best within the science and research sector and to ensure the UK is the most attractive country to live in and develop new ideas.
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said:
‘’The UK has a proud history of scientific discovery, but to lead the field and face the challenges of the future we need to continue to invest in talent and cutting-edge research.
That is why as we leave the EU, I want to send a message that the UK is open to the most talented minds in the world and stand ready to support them to turn their ideas into reality.’’
The Main Features of the Global Talent Visa
- There will be no cap on the number of people able to come to the UK
- It will provide for a brand new fast-track scheme where qualifying applicants can be fast tracked to the entry clearance/leave to remain application stage with minimal evidential requirements, as long as they satisfy the individual eligibility criteria.
- It will provide an accelerated 3-year settlement path (compared to the standard 5 years settlement path for most of the other visas types) for all scientists and researchers who are endorsed on the route.
- It will provide for an exemption from our absence’s rules for researchers, and their dependents, where they are required overseas for work-related purposes, ensuring they are not penalized when they apply for settlement.
- Applicants will be able to choose how much leave, in whole years, up to a maximum of 5 years they wish to be granted in a single application. This means that Global Talent applicants who only wish to come to the UK for 2 years in this category will not need to pay the maximum 5-year Immigration Health Surcharge payment.
- The category does not form part of the Points-Based System and does not include points-scoring tables.
- Applicants with a valid Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) endorsement letter will be able to use this to apply for entry clearance or leave under the Global Talent category. The Global Talent category does not impose any additional entry clearance or leave to remain requirements or conditions.
- Applicants who already hold Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) leave and who wish to extend their leave, will be able to do so under the Global Talent category.
- Dependents of migrants under this route will have full access to the labour market.
- Applicants will not be required to hold an offer of employment before arriving or tying them to one specific job.
- Holders of this visa can move freely between organisations, locations, jobs and roles.
- There is no minimum salary to be eligible.
- Visa holders can take on activities that are more difficult to undertake on other visas, such as collaborating with businesses.
The Global Talent Visa has four routes to securing a visa for different roles:
- Senior appointments – fast-track endorsement for individuals who have accepted a job of professor, associate professor, reader, senior group leader or equivalent at any UK higher education institution or eligible research institute provided certain recruitment requirements were met. This path is administered by The British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and The Royal Society.
- Fellowships – fast-track endorsement for applicants who have been awarded an individual fellowship on the list approved by The British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Society. The fellowship must be held currently or within the last 12 months.
- Endorsed funders – fast-track endorsement for researchers and specialists whose name or job title is specified in a successful grant application from a recognised funder. This path is administered by UK Research and Innovation.
- Peer review – standard endorsement for individuals who submit a successful application for review by The British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering or The Royal Society (depending on their field of expertise).
To determine your eligibility or progress your application – book a consultation with us now.
Peju is one of the UK’s leading Immigration Consultants. She is a highly experienced and sought after Immigration and Compliance Consultant with over 12-years’ experience dealing with UK Visas & Immigration.
She is registered by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner at the highest level and has supported businesses to ensure that the migration of staff is compliant with relevant country migration laws, especially the United Kingdom.
