Global Talent Visa

Eligibility and Requirements

The Global Talent visa is a category of UK immigration for bright and promising individuals in particular fields such as science, humanities, engineering, the arts, and technology who want to work in the UK. In February 2020, the Global Talent visa superseded the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa category. The Global Talent visa is an immigration category that allows you to reside in the UK after three years if you are a Talented candidate and five years if you are a Promise candidate. You may also be eligible to apply for British citizenship after completing your settlement application and the necessary residency period in the UK.

Who Is Eligible For a Global Talent Visa?

All applicants must receive an endorsement from one of six authorised endorsing organisations to be eligible for admission under the Global Talent visa.

The Home Office will send your application to the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), or Royal Society if you are applying for endorsement in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, social science or the humanities, or other scholastic roles and research. Depending on your profile and the information you submit, one of these endorsing organisations will make an endorsement decision.

Your application will be forwarded to Tech Nation or Arts Council England if you seek endorsement in non-academic areas such as arts and culture or digital technology. It's important to remember that each endorsing organisation has its own set of criteria for endorsement.

When evaluating an applicant, the endorsing organisations use two sets of criteria:

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Exceptional Talent criteria are for applicants who have already exhibited a major contribution as a leader in their sector. Exceptional Promise criteria are for applicants who are still early in their careers but have already proved the potential of making major contributions as a future leader in their field.

Documents Required For Global Talent Visa Application

The documents you'll need to apply for a visa vary depending on the specifics of your application and the proof needed by one of the six endorsing organisations.

The following are some of the documents you can expect to provide:

Arts and Culture Applications

A detailed CV detailing your professional achievements (not exceeding three A4 pages in length)
Three letters of reference verifying your achievements and describing the value you would bring to the UK if you were granted a Global Talent Visa.

You can submit up to 10 "pieces of evidence" to back up your application and accomplishments (e.g., media recognition, international awards, appearances, or exhibitions)

Digital Technology Applications

Three letters of recommendation from well-known and qualified organisations verifying your status as an industry leader and explaining how you may continue to contribute to the field.
Proof of a digital technology company you founded or had a significant part in.

You may submit up to 10 pieces of evidence to prove your eligibility and educational qualifications.

Academic Researchers and Leaders Applications

Three letters of recommendation from well-known and qualified organisations verifying your status as an industry leader and explaining how you may continue to contribute to the field.
Proof of a digital technology company you founded or had a significant part in.

Research Grant Applications

Confirmation from your funder confirming you have been awarded a grant, receiving at least £30,000, and that your grant will last at least two years.

Peer-Reviewed Applications

Confirmation from an industry leader with globally recognised experience describing how they know you and the nature of your prospective contributions to the UK within your sector.

Additional Documents

Other documents will be needed as part of the application and the ones listed above (which are not exhaustive). This includes your passport, TB test results (if applicable), and authorised translations of documents written in a language other than English (where relevant).

Application Fee and Waiting Time


Application Fee

The application for a Global Talent Visa costs £608. If you're applying for a visa based on an endorsement, the endorsement will set you back £456, and the visa application will cost you £152.

You will have to pay a total of £608 if you are applying primarily on the receipt of an eligible award. It is possible to add dependents on your application, and each person costs £608. In addition, applicants must pay the immigration healthcare fee (about £624 per person each year). The Gov.uk eligibility checker website can help you figure out how much you'll have to pay.


Waiting Time

The majority of Global Talent Visa applications will be processed within three weeks of the application date. You will be asked to provide more information if the Home Office requests it depending on your situation, which may lengthen the waiting time. You must apply for the visa three months before your planned date of travel to work in the United Kingdom. You may be able to apply for a priority service to get a quicker decision on your application for an extra fee.

How To Get an Endorsement For the Global Talent Visa?

If you think you are eligible, the easiest option to get an endorsing body to endorse you for the Global Talent Visa is to thoroughly study each organisation’s requirements and then show how you fulfil the criteria in your application.

You will get a decision on your application after submitting an endorsement application and paying the fee to the appropriate authority. You may then apply for your visa at the Home Office if your application is accepted.

Benefits of Global Talent Visa

The Global Talent visa is popular because it provides more benefits and freedoms while working in the United Kingdom.


The following are some of the benefits:

You may work for a variety of companies or go for self-employment in your field.
You do not require a sponsor licence, and you do not need to apply for a certificate of sponsorship if you work for a company that does.
You are not required to notify the Home Office if you change jobs.
For qualified visa holders, there is no time limit on how long they can stay. The original visa is for five years. However, it may be extended if the holder can show they fulfil the extension criteria.
After five years on the visa, you could be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain. You may be able to apply for British citizenship if you are given and hold British citizenship for one year.

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