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Global Talent Visa

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government.

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Can I apply for the UK Skilled Worker visa?

We can help you. It’s what we do.

Overview

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

International Sportspersons visa

This category is for highly skilled sportspersons who must be recognised by a governing body as an elite sports person or a sports coach. The applicant must demonstrate that their employment in the UK will encourage the sport to become more elite and prominent in the UK.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of 5 years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £35,800.

Indefinite leave to remain

The skilled worker visa lasts for up to five years. If you want to stay longer, you can apply to extend your, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. After five years, you may also be entitled to apply for indefinite leave to remain, which gives you the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like. You must apply to extend or update your skilled work visa UK if you change jobs or employer.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of five years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £25,600 per year.

What is the Global Talent Visa?

The UK Global Talent Visa is a prestigious immigration route designed to attract highly skilled individuals in the fields of science, engineering, technology, art, and humanities to come to the UK, without the need for a job offer.  

This visa provides a unique opportunity for outstanding talents across the world to contribute their expertise and innovation to the vibrant landscape of the United Kingdom. 

Who can apply for the Global Talent Visa?

The Global Talent route is open to established talent – individuals who can demonstrate they are established leaders in their field. Additionally, it can be suitable for applicants that can demonstrate ‘promise’ and potential to become leaders in their field. The applicant does not need to have a job to be eligible for this route, although it should be emphasised that any work should be within the field for which you have been endorsed. Not to mention, studying is also permitted, subject to the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) conditions. 

What are the requirements?

  • You must be at least 18 years old.  
  • Your must be endorsed by an approved endorsing body or have been awarded a prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes 
  • You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents during your stay in the UK. 
  • You have provided a TB Certificate, if this is required. 
  • Your application does not fall for refusal on general grounds for refusal. 

In addition to meeting the business and endorsement criteria, you must show that you have at least £1,270 in personal funds held for a 28-day period prior to your application. This financial requirement demonstrates your ability to support yourself during your stay in the UK. 

Am I eligible for a Global Talent Visa?

Exceptional Talent vs Exceptional Promise 

These are recognised as the two categories of endorsement for the Global Talent Visa, which is a UK immigration route for people who are looking to be leaders or have exceptional potential in the following fields – science, engineering, humanities, social science, medicine, digital technology or arts and culture. 

Exceptional talent is defined as a person who has been recognised as a leader in their respective field. They are typically a uniquely talented and have a track record of achievements. Whereas an exceptional promise is an individual who has been seen as having great potential to become a leader in their field. The criteria for both categories depends on the field and the endorsing body, but generally evidence of the following is deemed acceptable; 

  • Achievements 
  • Awards 
  • Publications 
  • Peer recognition 
  • Impact  
  • Innovation 

Regarding the endorsing bodies, they are responsible for assessing the applications – they will decide based on your profile and the evidence provided. The six Global Talent Visa endorsing bodies currently are: 

  • UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) 
  • Royal Society 
  • The British Academy 
  • The Royal Academy of Engineering 
  • Tech Nation 
  • Arts Council England 

 

A crucial difference between exceptional talent and exceptional promise, is that the former can apply for settlement (also recognised as indefinite leave to remain or settlement) after only three years of living in the UK. While the latter must wait for five years.  

Global Talent Visa Technology

Application Process  

Once you have gained the Tech Nation endorsement, you will have a period of three months from the date of the endorsement letter to submit your application to enter or remain in the UK within the Global Talent Digital Tech category.  

In addition, the Home Office will assess your character and immigration history to ensure that you do not fall for refusal under general grounds. 

There is no English language requirement in this specific category. 

 

Technical Applicant’s vs Business Applicant’s 

If you intend to apply for the Global Talent Visa in digital technology, you will need to decide whether you are a technical or business applicant.  

  • Technical – if you are a programmer for instance, this is the ideal option for you. You are required to demonstrate your expertise and understanding of building technical infrastructure in product-led companies. 
  • Business – this is ideal for those who do not programme themselves but hold senior positions in the IT industry – for example senior sales experts, product managers and C-level executives.  

 

Evidence for a Global Talent endorsement application with Tech Nation 

Within the digital technology sector, Tech Nation is the appointed endorsing body. Despite Tech Nation announcing this April (2023) that they are becoming part of the Founders Forum Group, this does not alter the current process of applying for Global Talent endorsement as a digital technology applicant.  

Currently, there are no restrictions on the number of Global Talent visas that can be issued to eligible applicants within this sector. However, endorsement by Tech Nation must be: 

  • An applicant with technical skills who can establish their proficiency in creating technological infrastructure and constructing, utilising, or exploiting technology stacks. 
  • A candidate for a business position who can offer evidence of their demonstrated commercial, investment, or product competence in creating digital products or managing investments in digital product enterprises.  

Tech Nation requires proof to qualify for endorsement as part of your application – this includes: 

  • A CV that details your work and publishing history 
  • Three letters of recommendation (these must come from different reputable organisations that are recognised in the digital tech field) 

Please note that if you have won a qualifying prestigious award, you may be able to fast-track the endorsement application and thus proceed directly to making a single visa application. The list of prestigious prizes is under review and updated from time to time, so please ensure you check if your award is applicable.  

Global Talent Visa Arts and Culture

Application Process 

The application process for this visa is broken down into two stages.  

Stage 1 is where we assess your endorsement application against the criteria and recommend to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) whether you are endorsed or not. Please note that it can take up to 8 weeks to receive a decision. 

Stage 2 involves the application for the visa once you have received your endorsement. It can take a further 8 weeks to receive a decision at this stage.  

Once you have obtained your Arts Council endorsement, you will have a period of three months from the date of the endorsement letter to submit your application to either enter or remain in the UK for the Global Talent category.  

Furthermore, the Home Office will assess your character and immigration history to ensure that you do not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.  

There is no maintenance or English language requirement in the Global Talent visa category.  

 

Evidence for a Global Talent endorsement application with Arts Council England 

To successfully qualify for an Arts and Culture endorsement, you will need to be professionally engaged in producing work of outstanding quality, which has either been performed, exhibited, presented, or distributed internationally.  

The evidence required for endorsement by the Arts Council England include:  

  • Two letters of recommendation from well-established arts and culture organisations that you have worked with, who are recognised as experts in your field (one of these must be based in the UK). 
  • The third letter of recommendation should be from another well-established arts and culture organisation, or an individual that you have worked with.  
  • You must provide a CV to assist the council in understanding what stage you are at in the arts and culture career to date. 

Please note that the letters of recommendation should come from a senior member of the organisation who is familiar with your work and is able to provide a reference on your achievements – detailing how in their opinion, you have demonstrated, or have the potential to become a leader in your field. 

Global Talent Visa Science & Humanities

Application process  

Once you have received endorsement, you will have a period of three months from the date of the endorsement letter to make your application to enter or remain in the UK in the Global Talent category.  

Additionally, the Home Office will assess your character and immigration history to ensure that you do not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.  

Also, there is no maintenance or English language requirement in the UK Global Talent visa category.  

 

Evidence for a Global Talent endorsement application with the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the British Academy and UK Research and Innovation 

 

Whether you are applying under the Fast Track or Full Peer Review criteria will determine what requirements you must fulfil for endorsement. 

Fast Track Endorsement Criteria 

To successfully meet the requirements of the ‘fast track’ route, you will need to prove at least one of the following three criteria: 

  1. Peer-reviewed research fellowship or award – you hold or have held within the 5 years before the date of application, a peer-reviewed research fellowship or award named on the list published by one of the endorsing bodies in this field.  

 

  1. Academic or research position – you have been appointed to an eligible academic or research position at an approved UK Higher Education Institution or research institute named on the list published by the endorsing bodies. 

 

  1. Hosted or employed in a UK research organisation – named on the UKRI published list and will provide critical contributions to work supported by a substantial research grant or award from an endorsed funder named on the list published by UKRI. 

 

Full Peer Endorsement Criteria 

Please note that full peer review applications are considered by either the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, or the British Academy. UKRI do not consider full peer review applications. 

To meet the requirements of this endorsement, you will need to ensure that the endorsing body will be satisfied with your achievements and that you can prove your recognition as an exceptional talent in the field of science, engineering, humanities, social science, or medicine. You will also be able to prove that you have PhD equivalent research experience. 

Global Talent Visa Film & Television

Application process 

Once you have received your PACT endorsement, you are entitled to make your application to enter or remain in the UK in this category, from three months from the date of the endorsement letter.  

In addition to your endorsement, the Home Office will assess your character and immigration history to ensure that you do not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.  

Moreover, there is no maintenance or English language requirement in this specific category/ 

Evidence required for endorsement by PACT 

PACT, acting on behalf of Arts Council England, can endorse applications in the film, television, animation, post-production, and visual effects industries.  

The requirements for endorsement by PACT, are related to recognition by awards – you will need to be able to satisfy at least one of the following: 

  • You have won an Academy Award, a BAFTA award, a Golden Globe, or an Emmy Award; or 
  • In the last 10 years, you have been nominated for, or made a significant contribution to winning, or being nominated for an Academy Award, a BAFTA award, a Golden Globe or an Emmy Award, or;  
  • You have recognition in the film industry through achieving international distribution sales, media recognition and a specified combination of awards from PACT’s Notable Industry List. 

Global Talent Visa Architecture

Application process 

Once you have obtained your endorsement, you will have a period of three months from the date of the endorsement letter to make your application to enter or remain in the UK under this category.  

In addition to proving that you are endorsed, the Home Office will assess your character and immigration history to ensure that you do not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.  

Please note that there is no maintenance or English language requirement in the Global Talent Visa category. 

 

Evidence required for endorsement by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) 

Your application for an endorsement by RIBA will involve three letters of recommendation.  

  • Two letters of recommendation will need to be from well-established architecture organisations acknowledged as experts in your field at least one of these organisations will need to be based in the UK. 
  • The third letter of recommendation of letter must be from another well-established architecture organisation, or an individual, with recognised expertise in your field.  

Global Talent Visa Fashion Design

Application process 

Once you have obtained your endorsement, you will have a period of three months from the date of the endorsement letter to make your application to enter or remain in the UK in the Global Talent category.  

In addition to proving that you are endorsed, the Home Office will assess your character and immigration history to ensure that you do not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.  

Please note that there is no maintenance or English language requirement in the Global Talent Visa category. 

 

Evidence required for endorsement by the British Fashion Council (BFC) 

Your application for an endorsement by BFC will involve three letters of recommendation.  

It is crucial that the letters of recommendation are from established organisations with nationally or internationally recognised expertise in this field. 

The letters must come from a senior member of the organisation who is familiar with your work and able to comment on your achievements – they will need to detail your accomplishments and provide a reason for how, in their opinion, you have demonstrated that you are or have the potential to become a leader in this field.  

What is the Global Talent visa processing time?

If you intend to arrive in the UK as quickly as possible, you can use priority services are most application services to get a quick decision on your application. Please note that the Home Office processing will take around a month, but with priority services it may take around a week to receive a decision. Some application centres there will be a 24-hour processing service available. Also, depending on where you are applying from could determine the visa processing time – if you are applying from outside the UK, this can take 3 months or more, while applications from within the UK can usually take 3 months.

How long does a Global Talent Visa last?

Applicants who decide on this category can choose how much leave, in whole years, up to a maximum of 5 years they wish to be granted in a single application.  

This is an attractive feature of this specific visa, as it allows applicants to be flexible to minimise their Immigration Health Surcharge payment, for example if they only wish to come to the UK for 2 years. 

How much does it cost to get a Global Talent Visa?

To apply for a Global Talent Visa from either overseas or in the UK, it costs £623. Please note that applicants applying based on endorsement will pay this into two segments – £456 when submitting their application for endorsement, and £167 when applying to the Home Office for the visa. Additionally, applicants will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for each year of leave.  

Can my dependants be included as part of my Innovator visa?

Global Talent visa holders can bring their spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner. They can also bring their children, providing they are under the age of 18 when they make their first visa application to enter this category.  

How can I apply to include my dependants as part of my Global Talent Visa?

Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if eligible, via an online application. There will need to be certain requirements that need to be met, depending on who your dependents are.  

For instance, if it is your partner, they will need to prove that you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK. Additionally, you will need show that you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years.  

On the other hand, if your child is 16 years or over and lives with you, you’ll need to provide two valid forms of documents to help confirm their address. For instance, a bank statement or a driving licence. 

How can Bridge Partners Immigration help?

Our advisors are experts on the Global Talent Visa immigration rules. We can help assist talented and promising individuals in the fields of technology, arts and culture, science, and engineering. Given the complexities and varied guidelines involved with the Global Talent categories, we are confident that we can provide reliable advice that will give you the best possible outcome for your application. As a highly driven and approachable team, we are dedicated to guiding you throughout the process with a friendly yet professional service. For further enquiries please do not hesitate to contact us today. 

Frequently Asked Skilled Worker visa​ Application Questions

Someone can be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa if they have a job offer from a sponsoring company in the UK for a job that is on the list of skilled worker occupations. In addition, the skilled worker must have the required skills and experience to undergo the role in the company and have the required level of English language ability.   

The minimum salary for the Skilled Worker visa is either £25,600 per year, £10.10 per hour or the “going rate” for the particular occupation code, whichever is highest. For each job on the Home Office occupation list, there is a “going rate” which details the recommended annual and hourly salary that an individual must earn for the role. The rates are based on a 39-hour week of work. Those applying for the Skilled Worker visa need 50 points to do so. These are gained from sponsorship, skill level and English language requirements. However, 20 further tradable points can be given to those that meet the minimum salary requirement. 

You cannot move to the UK without a job offer from a company that has a UK sponsor licence, unless you apply for the Global Talent visa where this is not a requirement. When you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa you must provide a certificate of sponsorship reference number which proves that you have a job offer and therefore permission to work in the UK with a registered sponsor.  

The general Skilled Worker visa requirements are that you must have a job offer from a company that is a UK-registered sponsor and have a certificate of sponsorship that confirms that you have permission to work in the UK within a specific job role. You must be paid the required minimum salary for the occupation, have the required skill level and English language ability to do the job and have enough funds to support yourself in the UK.   

Once all the correct documentation has been submitted, it takes around 3 weeks for an application for a Skilled Worker visa to be processed by the Home Office when applying outside of the UK. For applications within the UK, the standard processing time is 8 weeks, although this can take around 9 weeks on average.  

For the Skilled Worker visa, you will need to provide a valid passport and proof that you have a job in the UK with details about your job role, salary, and employer information. You will also need the reference number for your certificate of sponsorship which proves that you have an approved job offer with a registered UK sponsor. In addition, you will need to provide bank statements that show you are able to support yourself in the UK and proof of the required qualifications needed for the role such as an English language test and degree certificate.

Yes, you can study whilst on a Skilled Worker visa. There is no restriction on the number of hours you can study as long as it does not interfere with your work. Another requirement is that workers who study must first get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for their studies and present it to the education provider.  

Skilled Workers are not allowed to run their own businesses.