Global Talent Visa - UK Immigration

Eligibility - Global Talent Visa

The new Global Talent visa system started on 20 February 2020 and is managed by the UK Research and Innovation Agency (UKRI), which funds government research. It is a fast-track visa, with no cap on the number of suitably qualified persons that can apply, and no minimum salary requirements.

To apply for the UK Global Talent visa, you must work in a qualifying field, and meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Endorsed as a recognised leader (exceptional talent) or

2. Endorsed as an emerging leader (exceptional promise) or

3. Under the UK Research and Innovation endorsed funder option.

Benefits - Global Talent Visa

The Global Talent visa offers the following benefits to visa applicants:

• Work in the UK Flexibly - No requirement for employer sponsorship and other conditions.
• Change Roles and Employer - Applicants can change roles and employing organizations without permission from the Home Office.
• Self-Employment and Company Set Up - Applicants can enter self-employment and set up a spin-out company.
• Consultancy Services - Earn additional income from Consultancy or other sources, which may not relate to the field of research, in which the applicant was endorsed.
• Visa Duration - Applicants can select the length of the visa initially up to 5 years, with the option to renew the visa, multiple times.
• Fast-track to Settlement - Fast-track to Settlement after 3 years for the main visa holder.
• Undertake Research Overseas - Applicants can undertake research overseas without it counting towards the maximum time period permitted for absences, in terms of a settlement application.

Endorsing Bodies for a Global Talent Visa

At stage 1, one of the Endorsing Bodies will advise the Home Office whether you meet its eligibility criteria and have reached the appropriate level to be endorsed under the Global Talent visa. The Endorsing Bodies are:

• Arts Council England - designated as an endorsing body by the Home Office to assess applications for endorsement from people who work in the fields of arts and culture. 'Arts and culture' includes the following areas: Combined Arts Dance, Literature, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts - including those working in an artistic context in galleries and museums.
• The British Academy - for humanities and social science applications;
• The Royal Society - for natural sciences and medical science research applications;
• The Royal Academy of Engineering - for engineering applications; and
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) - for research applicants
• British Fashion Council - for fashion applicants
• Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) - for architecture applications
• Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) - for film and television applicants
• Tech Nation - for digital technology specialists

Researchers Applying for a Global Talent Visa

There are four routes for eligible Academics and Researchers to obtain a Global Talent Visa Endorsement:

1. Academic and research appointments - fast-track endorsement for applicants who have accepted a position at an approved UK higher education institution or research institute with responsibility either for academic, research, or innovation leadership and development, or for directing or leading an individual or team in a research or innovation project or programme of work. This route is administered by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society.

2. Individual fellowships - fast-track endorsement for applicants who have been awarded an individual fellowship on the list approved by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society. The fellowship must be currently held or from the last 12 months.

3. Endorsed funders - fast-track endorsement for researchers and specialists whose name or job title is specified in a successful grant application from an endorsed funder approved by UKRI. To be eligible, researchers must be hosted or employed by an eligible institution approved by UKRI.

International academics and researchers wishing to work on COVID-19 related research grants can apply for a Global Talent visa through the endorsed funder route under relaxed criteria until 31 July 2021.

4. Peer review - standard endorsement for applicants who submit an application for full peer review by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering or Royal Society.

Application Process - Global Talent Visa

The Global Talent visa involves a 2-stage application process:

Endorsement - Stage 1 - The endorsing body that you select will send its endorsement decision to the Home Office.

Apply for Entry Clearance or Leave to Remain - Stage 2. Applicants must meet the following conditions: Register with the Police, Not permitted access to Public Funds, Cannot be employed as a Professional Sportsperson, and can only Study pursuant to a number of restrictions.

Government Fees - To apply for the Global Talent Visa UK, it costs £608. If Applicants are applying based on an endorsement, they will pay the £608 in two parts: £456 when applying for the endorsement and £152 when applying for the visa itself. The cost to include a Partner or Dependent children is £608 each.

Healthcare Surcharge - Applicants will have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application - this is usually £624 per year for each person applying.

Visa Processing Time - The visa decision is usually 3 weeks if you are outside the UK and 8 weeks if you are inside the UK. Note that you can get a faster decision if:

• You have been accepted onto a recognised UK accelerator programme, as a digital technology specialist
• You will be hosted or employed in an approved UK research organisation. In addition, you will provide critical contributions to work supported by a research grant or award from an approved endorsed funder
• You hold an approved peer-reviewed fellowship
• You are a senior academic or senior researcher at a UK university, college or research institute

Validity Requirements for an Endorsement

To be valid, an application for Endorsement must meet the following requirements:

• The application must have been made on the correct form, and applicants applying for endorsement by Tech Nation must have also submitted the additional digital technology form to Tech Nation.
• The endorsement application fee must have been paid.
• The application must be for endorsement, by an endorsing body, in the field relevant to the applicant.

Tech Nation - Eligibility Criteria for an Endorsement

From the 1st December 2020, there will be a single mandatory criterion which was previously one of the Qualifying Criteria, regarding an applicant being a Leader or Potential Leader in the digital technology sector. The applicant will also be required to meet two of four optional criteria.

Exceptional Talent

An applicant evidencing Exceptional Talent must:

(a) Show that they have been recognised as a leading talent in the digital technology sector; and

(b) Provide evidence of 2 of the following:

• (I) A proven track record for innovation as a founder or senior executive of a product-led digital technology company or as an employee working on a new digital field or concept; or
• (II) Proof of recognition for work beyond the applicant's occupation that contributes to the advancement of the field; or
• (III) They have made significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the field as a founder, senior executive or employee of a product-led digital technology company; or
• (IV) They have demonstrated exceptional ability in the field by academic contributions, through research published or endorsed by an expert.

Exceptional Promise

An applicant evidencing Exceptional Promise must:

(a) Show they have been recognised as having the potential to be a leading talent in the digital technology field; and

(b) Provide evidence of 2 of the following:

• at least 2 examples of innovation as a founder of a product-led digital technology company or as an employee working on a new digital field or concept; or
• proof of recognition for work beyond the applicant's occupation that contributes to the advancement of the field; or
• they have made significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the field as a founder or employee of a product-led digital technology company; or
• at least 2 examples of exceptional ability in the field by academic contributions, or through research endorsed by an expert.

Document Checklist for Tech Nation Application

The following documents must be provided to Tech Nation:

• Tech Nation visa Application form - including a Personal Statement
• CV
• Three Letters of Recommendation - from three well-established Organizations
• 10 Pieces of Evidence regarding the relevant Eligibility Criteria

Settlement in the UK

• Apply to settle after 3 years, with an exceptional talent visa or exceptional talent endorsement in science or with a UKRI endorsement.
• Apply to settle after 5 years, with an exceptional promise endorsement in either arts and culture or digital technology.

Office Address and Telephone - VisaConnect UK

Contact VisaConnect's Consultants at our London, UK office below:

VisaConnect Immigration Consultants UK
124 City Road
EC1V 2NX
UK

Telephone: (+44) 207 193 2327