Home Office to Launch Global Talent Visa!

It is indeed a crucial and exciting time for the United Kingdom. In the lead up to Brexit, the UK Home Office confirms that they are launching a new fast-track immigration offer for talented individuals with skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

This new initiative will be a re-branded Tier 1 Exceptional Talent route to recognise UK’s desire to attract global talent. This initiative will build on the existing Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa route. It will also ensure that those with specialist skills in STEM subjects can come to the UK and make important contributions to the UK’s leading science and research sector while significantly enhancing the intellectual and knowledge base of the UK.

Unlike other current UK immigration categories, this new scheme will provide eligible individuals with a three-year visa, during which they can come and go from the UK at will. (It is worth noting that most UK immigration categories have a 5-year residency requirement to live in the UK legally before migrants can obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).)

At the end of three years, those on the scheme would be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain; giving them a permanent right to reside in the UK and access to the same benefits and healthcare as British citizens.

There will be no minimum salary requirement, and individuals do not need to secure a job before arriving in the UK (unlike the existing Tier 2 route for skilled workers). 

Another exciting fact is that unlike other immigration categories, individuals who successfully migrate to the UK on this scheme will be able to include and bring their adult dependants including other dependants (spouses/partners and children). They will have full access to the labour market.

This is welcome news because currently, a migrant cannot bring their adult dependants to live with them. It’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a settled or UK citizen to bring their adult dependants to live with them to the UK!

Also, this route will not be subject to any salary thresholds, and people coming under this new offer do not need to meet a minimum salary requirement. However, this route will still be subject to the Immigration Health Surcharge (as with all other immigration categories), and it is open to both EU and Non-EU citizens as it is a global offer. For the moment, however, EU citizens will continue to have free movement benefits.

This above initiative is being created as a direct result of the Prime Minister’s vision to cement the UK as a science superpower when he recently said:

“Britain has a proud history of innovation, with home-grown inventions spanning from the humble bicycle to the lightbulb. ……. But to ensure we continue to lead the way in the advancement of knowledge, we have to not only support the talent that we already have here, but also ensure our immigration system attracts the very best minds from around the world.”

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-sets-out-vision-to-cement-uk-as-a-science-superpower

Home Secretary Priti Patel supporting this said:

“We want Britain to be the most prosperous economy in Europe with an immigration system that attracts the brightest and best global talent. Our new fast-track visa route will be a key part of this – encouraging the world’s top scientists and researchers to our shores. These gifted minds will bolster the UK’s standing as a hub for science and innovation as we look to introduce a points-based immigration system centred on what people will contribute to our great country.”

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-sets-out-vision-to-cement-uk-as-a-science-superpower

The Prime Minister has made it clear that the UK’s future immigration system will prioritise people who will add significant value to the UK. And that top priority will be given to those with the highest skills and the most exceptional talents.

He confirms that the focus will be on the skills and talents people possess and not their nationality. He also confirmed that this route would be launched regardless of the terms of the UK leaving the EU.

The UK is opening its doors to Managed Migration once again. This is a comeback of the similar Highly Skilled Migrant Programme/Tier 1 General Visa. It was a hugely successful immigration category, which attracted top talents to the United Kingdom until its closure in 2011, howbeit, with modifications and sole focus on the STEM categories.

The new initiative is anticipated to be equally or more successful; bringing the brightest and the best to the UK.

As a leading Migration Services company, we have walked with and supported migrants to relocate and settle successfully in the UK. Let us walk your journey with you!

To get up-to-date news about this new initiative and to start planning your migration to the UK, contact us today!

resources:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-sets-out-vision-to-cement-uk-as-a-science-superpower
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49282689?ocid=wsnews.chat-apps.in-app-msg.whatsapp.trial.link1_.auin

Peju Ojemuyiwa

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.