Overview
The Global Talent visa provides an opportunity for individuals who are leaders or have the potential to become leaders in specific fields to work in the UK. These fields include academia or research, arts and culture, and digital technology. It is essential to be at least 18 years old to be eligible for this visa.
For individuals from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, the option to apply for the free EU Settlement Scheme exists if they or their family member began residing in the UK before 31 December 2020. Although the general deadline to apply was 30 June 2021, there are exceptions for those with later deadlines or reasonable grounds for being unable to apply by the specified date. It is advisable to check eligibility for the EU Settlement Scheme.
If not eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme, obtaining a visa is necessary for working in the UK. Irish citizens, however, do not need to apply for a visa or the EU Settlement Scheme.
Prior to applying for a Global Talent visa, it is typically required to have successfully obtained an endorsement that confirms your status as a leader or potential leader. However, if you have won an eligible award, you may apply for the visa without an endorsement. Details regarding eligible awards can be found. Additionally, it is essential to understand the specific opportunities available and the process for applying for an endorsement based on your field of work, be it academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology. If you are not eligible for a Global Talent visa, there are alternative pathways to work in the UK, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
With a Global Talent visa, you can reside and work in the UK for a duration of up to 5 years at a time.
If you want to stay longer in the UK
There is no overall time limit for how long you can stay in the UK with a Global Talent visa. However, it is necessary to renew or extend your visa when it reaches its expiration date. The duration of each extension can be selected by you and can range from 1 to 5 years.
Depending on the specific field you work in and the manner in which you apply, you may have the opportunity to obtain indefinite leave to remain after 3 or 5 years. This would allow you to settle permanently in the UK, granting you the right to live, work, and study here indefinitely. Additionally, if eligible, you can apply for benefits.
How to apply
To apply for a Global Talent visa, you must complete the application online. The specific application process varies depending on your circumstances, such as whether you are outside the UK and planning to come to the UK, inside the UK and seeking an extension of your current visa, or inside the UK and transitioning from a different visa.
When applying, you will be required to provide supporting documents and verify your identity. If an appointment is necessary for these purposes, it is advisable to allocate additional time. During the application process, you will be informed if an appointment is required.
Once you have submitted your online application, completed the identity verification process, and provided the necessary documents, a decision on your visa is typically issued within the following timeframes: 3 weeks if you are outside the UK, and 8 weeks if you are already inside the UK. If you need a faster decision and are attending an appointment, there may be an option to expedite the process by paying an additional fee. The specific procedure for expediting the decision varies depending on whether you are outside or inside the UK.
Fees
The cost of applying for a Global Talent visa is £623. The payment process varies depending on the basis of your application. If you are applying based on an endorsement, you will need to make two separate payments: £456 when applying for the endorsement and an additional £167 when applying for the visa itself. However, if you are applying based on an eligible award, the full £623 fee is required at the time of visa application.
If you are including your partner or children in your application, each individual will need to pay the £623 fee.
In addition to the application fee, you will also be required to pay the healthcare surcharge. The healthcare surcharge typically amounts to £624 per year for each person included in the application.