Global Talent Visa

After you get your endorsement, the earliest you can apply for a visa is 3 months before you travel.

Example:

You can apply from 16 March if you plan to travel on 15 June.

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.

You can stay in the UK for up to:

●     5 years and 4 months if you apply outside the UK

●     5 years if you apply inside the UK

You can choose how long you want to apply for, up to the maximum time allowed. You only have to pay the healthcare surcharge for the amount of time you choose to stay. You can apply to extend this visa for up to another 5 years. You can apply for settlement once you’ve been in the UK for:

●     3 years with an exceptional talent visa

●     5 years with an exceptional promise visa

You can:

●      work – for an employer, as a director of a company or be self-employed

●      change jobs without telling the Home Office

●      do voluntary work

●      travel abroad and return to the UK

●      bring family members with you

You can not:

●      get public funds

●      work as a doctor or dentist in training

●      work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach

To get a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa, you need to be endorsed as a leader (exceptional talent) or emerging leader (exceptional promise) in one of the following:

●     science

●     engineering

●     humanities

●     medicine

●     digital technology

●     the arts

●     fashion

How to get endorsed

You can apply online. If you’re a digital technology specialist you’ll also need to apply for a Tech Nation Visa Scheme endorsement.

How long it takes

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

You may get a faster decision if you’re a digital technology specialist and one of the following applies:

●     you’ve been accepted onto a recognised UK accelerator programme

●     you’re part of a senior management team that has experience in building and expanding a digital technology business

●     you plan to work and live outside of Greater London

You may also get a faster decision if you either:

●     hold an approved peer-reviewed fellowship

●     are a senior academic or senior researcher at a UK university, college or research institute check with your employer whether your role is eligible

What happens next

If you’re successful you’ll receive an email from the Home Office with a copy of your endorsement letter.

You’ll need these for your visa application. 

You will not automatically get a visa if you’ve been endorsed. If your application is turned down you can request an endorsement review.

You must apply for your visa within 3 months of receiving your letter of endorsement from the Home Office.

When you apply for your visa you’ll need to provide:

●     a current passport or other valid travel identification

●     a printed copy of your endorsement letter

●     your if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

You need a page in your passport that’s blank on both sides for your visa.

You need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

You can apply to extend your visa if:

●     the organisation that endorsed you has not withdrawn its approval

●     you can provide evidence that you’re currently working in your expert field – the guidance notes have a full list of acceptable evidence

A Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa can be extended for up to 5 years.

You should get your visa:

●      within 8 weeks if you apply online or by post in the UK

●      usually on the same day if you use the premium service in the UK

●      within 3 weeks if you apply outside the UK

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example:

●      if your supporting documents need to be verified

●      if you need to attend an interview

●      because of your personal circumstances – such as you have a criminal conviction

Once you’ve applied you can stay in the UK until you’ve been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired.

You can apply to switch to a Tier 1
(Exceptional Talent) visa if you’re already in the UK with any of these visa
types:

●      Tier 1

●      Tier 2

● Tier 5 (Temporary worker – Government Authorised Exchange) on an exchange scheme for sponsored researchers

●      as a leader (under the exceptional talent rules)

●      as an emerging leader (under the exceptional promise rules)

●      within 8 weeks if you apply online or by post

●      usually on the same day if you use the premium service

●      if your supporting documents need to be verified

●      if you need to attend an interview

●      because of your personal circumstances – such as you have a criminal conviction

Once you’ve applied you can stay in the UK until you’ve been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired.

Your family members (dependants) must apply to join or remain with you in the UK if they’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

●      your partner

●      your child under 18

●      your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as a dependant

When you apply, send a full UK birth certificate for each child showing the names of both parents.