What is the Global Talent visa?
The Global Talent visa was created to attract leading professionals and exceptionally talented individuals in the fields of academia and research, digital technology and arts and culture to the UK. This visa enables highly skilled individuals to enter the UK without a job offer. To do so, said individuals must be endorsed by a recognised body as approved by the Home Office or have received an eligible award.
You can apply for a Global Talent visa to work in the UK if you are a leader in one of the following fields:
Academia or research
Arts and culture
Digital technology
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
How to apply for a Global Talent Visa
The visa application process is slightly different for those applying based on an eligible prize and those who are relying on an endorsement. All applications are made online.
Usually, you can only apply for this visa if you have an endorsement which proves your credentials and eligibility for the visa. However, you can apply for the visa without an endorsement if you have won an eligible award.
Applying based on an eligible award
Applicants using an eligible prize to apply do not require a endorsement and can complete their online applications forms straightaway. A list of eligible awards can be found on the official government website.
Applying based on an endorsement
Applications made based on an endorsement are slightly more complicated.
Key things to note:
You can apply for a Global Talent visa before securing your endorsement however, if your endorsement is not approved, your visa application will also be refused.
The endorsement application is separate from the visa application itself.
If your endorsement application has been approved, you will receive an email from the Home Office. After this, you will have three months to make your visa application.
In order for your endorsement application to be approved, you must complete the correct application, pay the correct fee and secure an endorsement from a relevant body in the relevant professional field.
Regardless of whether you are applying based on an award or an endorsement, the immigration health surcharge must have been paid in order for your application to be considered.
For additional guidance on applying for the Global Talent visa contact us for support and book a consultation via our website.
Points Requirement
All Global Talent visa applicants must meet the 70 points requirement under the new points based system in the UK. Applicants can meet the 70 point requirements in one of the following ways:
You have been awarded a prize deemed eligible by the Home Office’s official list of eligible awards.
If your application is reliant on an endorsement, the endorsing body must be approved by the Home Office. The visa application must be made no more than 3 months after the date on the endorsement letter, and the endorsement must not be withdrawn.
If you are applying to extend your visa, you can obtain 70 points by demonstrating that you met the earned money requirement and that if you were issued with an endorsement, this endorsement has not since been withdrawn.
Fees
The standard fee for a Global Talent Visa is £766. This can be lower than other visa categories such as an extended Skilled Worker visa.
If you are applying for the Global Talent visa based on endorsement, you pay the £766 fee in 2 parts:
The endorsement fee and the visa fee.
Those applying based on an eligible award will pay the full amount of £766.
If you are including your partner or children in the application, they’ll each need to pay £766.
Immigration Health Surcharge
Global Talent Visa applicants and holders are still subject to the Immigration Health Surcharge. This costs £1,035 per year for the length of the visa. It must be paid at the same time as the application.
Any dependents you bring with you must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
How long does the application take?
In order to get an outcome on your application, you must submit all of the required documents. You must also ensure that you have paid all of the application fees and the immigration health surcharge.
After this, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
You can fast track the decision making process by paying an additional fee.
What can you do under the Global Talent visa?
The Global Talent visa offers more freedom and flexibility than other visa categories such as the Skilled Worker visa.
Fast track to settlement – Opportunity to apply for settlement after 3 years for the main visa holder as opposed to 5 years for other visa categories.
Freedom of travel – Unlike other visa categories, under this visa, you can travel globally. Your travel will not count towards the maximum time period for absences from the UK if you choose to apply for settlement later on.
Unsponsored visa category – You have the flexibility to change roles or employers and enter self-employment. You can also set up a spinout company or earn money from other avenues such as freelance consultancy without having to seek permission from the Home Office.
Lower visa fees – The standard fee for a 5 year talent visa is £716 compared to £1,500 for the Skilled Worker visa.
Flexibility to choose visa length – Applicants can choose the length of their visa. It initially goes up to 5 years with the option to renew multiple times.
The Global Talent Visa is incredibly attractive. To find out if you qualify, get in touch with Thomas Chase Immigration today and book a consultation via our website.
Call to action
If you have questions or concerns or you would like straightforward immigration advice, or help with applying for a sponsor licence, Thomas Chase Immigration can help. Our processes are tried and tested. We offer an individual touch when assisting you and presenting the matter to UKVI.
Written by Mya Alghali
