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Global Talent Visa

What is a UK Global Talent Visa?

This is a UK work visa base on the individual applicant's talent in a qualifying field and being endorsed by a UK endorsing body confirming that the Applicant is either: 

  • A Recognised Leader

  • or 

  • An Emerging Leader

  • or 

  • An Endorsed funder, under the UK Research and Innovation

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Which are the endorsing bodies?

Your application will be reviewed by an organisation that’s related to your qualifying field, called an ‘endorsing body’.

The endorsing bodies are:

Arts Council England will pass on your application for review to:

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Which endorsing body should I apply to?

You should apply to any of the above endorsing bodies if your qualifying field is considered for endorsement by the relevant endorsing body. 

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Who does not need an endorsement?

Individuals who already has a valid endorsement given under the previous UK Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa rules, can use that endorsement to apply for a UK Global Talent visa.

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If my endorsement application is rejected by the endorsing body, can I reapply?

Yes, even if your application is rejected, you can still re-apply, however, you will have to pay the endorsement application fees every-time you apply. With subsequent applications after the initial application being rejected, we strongly recommend that  you should always submit additional evidence of why you think you should be endorsed and highlight the additional documents that support your case.

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What are the different stages of the Global Talent endorsement application?

There are two stages for the application: 

  1. Endorsement (Stage 1)

  2. Global Talent visa application (Stage 2), either from outside the UK or from within the UK, if you are currently hold a UK visa which allows in-country switching of visa category

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To whom should I make the endorsement application?

Stage 1

You should make the endorsement application to the UK Home Office (except for digital technology field, you apply directly to Tech Nation) and you should not contact the endorsing body after submission of your endorsement application. The endorsing body will confirm their endorsement directly to the UK Home Office. When the endorsement application is successful, the UK Home Office caseworker will send the Endorsement Letter to you.

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How long is the endorsement letter(received from Stage 1) valid for?

The endorsement letter is valid for 3 months from the date of issue, hence, the Global Talent Visa application should be filed within 3 months from the date of issue of the endorsement letter.

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How soon from my proposed date of travel to the UK, can I file the Global Talent Visa Application?

The earliest date that you can file the Global Talent Visa Application is within 3 months from the date of your proposed date of travel to the UK, for example, if you plan to travel to the UK on 1st January, then the earliest date you can file the application is on 

2nd October.

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What is the duration of the Global Talent visa?

In your Global Talent visa application, you can specify for how long you wish to get the visa for, you can select any period between minimum 1 year to maximum 5 years. However, depending on the number of years applied, you will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge which is calculated per year of visa requested.

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Do I have to prove that I have reasonable chances of getting work in the UK?

You are not required to prove that you genuinely intend to undertake and are able to undertake any work or business activity in the UK as stated in your application. 

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Once I get the endorsement from the UK endorsing body in my field of work, can the UK Home Office still refuse my application?

It is a common misconception that once you get the endorsement, you will definitely get a Global Talent Visa, but that is not true. The UK Home Office caseworker who will consider your application will take into account:

  • all the evidence that you submitted to the endorsing body and how credible the evidence is

  • your previous education, work experience and immigration history to any country(including the UK)

  • all your signed declarations to other UK Government departments regarding your employment history/work experience and any other activity in the UK

The caseworker may request additional information and evidence from you or from your endorsing body. If you receive a request for additional documents/information, you will have to send any additional documents/information requested within 20 working days from the date of request.

You may also be asked to attend an interview ( either in-person or by telephone)

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What is the minimum English Language requirement?

There is no minimum English Language ability requirement

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Which countries Citizens can apply for the UK Global Talent Visa?

  • You can be a citizen of any country (other than the UK) to file the UK Global Talent Visa

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What is the maintenance or savings required for the UK Global Talent Visa?

  • There is no minimum savings or maintenance required to file the UK Global Talent Visa

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Can I apply for the UK Global Talent Visa, while I am living in the UK in another category of visa?

  • Yes, you can apply for the UK Global Talent visa if you are in the UK on any of the following category of visas:

    • Tier 1 visa,

    • Tier 2 Visa (General, Intra Company Transfer visa, etc.)

    • Tier 5 (Government Authorised Exchange) on an exchange scheme for sponsored researchers

    • Start-up visa

    • Innovator visa

  • If you are in any other category of UK visa, then you can file the Global Talent visa from outside the UK, either from your Home Country or from any other country where you have a right to remain for at least 6 months or more, from the date when you attend your Biometric appointment. 

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Can I switch or change to another type of visa while I am in the UK on the Global Talent Visa?

  • Yes, you are able to move/switch/change to another category of UK visa such as Unmarried Partner Visa, Spouse Visa, Tier 2 General Visa, etc.

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Can I bring Family Members (Dependants) on UK Global Talent Visa?

  • You can bring dependants to the UK with you while you are holding a UK Global Talent Visa. 

  • The following family members can apply as Dependants:

    • Your Spouse/Unmarried Partner/Civil Partner

    • Your Child who is under 18 years of age

    • Your child who is over 18 years of age, only if the child is currently in the UK as a dependant

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What is the Cost for the UK Global Talent Visa?

  • Main Applicant

    • Stage 1(Endorsement) costs GBP 456 

    • Stage 2 (Visa application) costs GBP 152

  • Dependant Family Member's visa costs GBP 608

  • The fees usually increases every year around March/April, for the latest fees information please refer to the UKVI fees link at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visa-regulations-revised-table/new-fee-from-4-august-2020

  • You will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your application, which would be calculated @ GBP 400 per year of visa applied for (this will increase to GBP 629 per year from October 2020).

  • If you application is refused for any reason, then the your IHS will be refunded to the same card you used to pay the IHS within 90 days after the date of the refusal of the application. You can read more details about IHS at https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application​

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What are my rights and duties whilst living in the UK Global Talent Visa?

  • You can work as a salaried employee with a UK Employer, you can change jobs anytime

  • You can work as the Director of a Company 

  • You can be Self-employed

  • You can bring family members to the UK (as detailed in Dependants question above)​

  • You are unable to work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach, doctor or dentist in training

  • You cannot take social benefits

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Where can I apply the UK Global Talent Visa from?

  • You will have to apply from outside the UK​, unless you meet any of the switching criteria as described above

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When will I get a decision on my Stage 1 Global Talent Endorsement application?

Usually you will get a decision between 4 to 8 weeks

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When will I get a decision on my Stage 2 application for the UK Visa?

70% of the time, you will get your decision within 10 business days from the date you attend your Biometric enrolment appointment. Only 30% of cases wherein the Entry Clearance Office (ECO) needs any further documents or information or wants to interview you, then the decision on your application may be delayed.

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What documents do I have to provide along with the application for my Stage 2 application for the UK Visa?

  • Current passport with at least one blank page to stick the Visa Vignette

  • Your Tuberculosis test results - Check if this applies to you at : https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa

  • Any documents which are not in English or Welsh, will need to be translated in English and you will have to submit both a copy of the original document and its certified translation

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Can I extend my UK Global Talent Visa?

You can extend your Global Talent Visa from within the UK if:

  • You have earned money in the UK in your expert field, while you were in the UK on your Global Talent visa

  • The endorsing body has not withdrawn your endorsement

You can extend your visa ​for any period between 1 to 5 years

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Can I qualify for Permanent Residence or Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK by being on UK Global Talent Visa?

Yes, you can qualify for Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK after completing the following periods of time on the respective visa category:

 

    

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You continuous period of time spent in the UK can include the following different categories of visas:

  • Global Talent

  • Innovator

  • Tier 1 [excluding Tier 1(Graduate Entrepreneur) and Tier 1(Post-Study Work)]

  • Tier 2 [excluding Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer)]

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visa requirement
dependants
where to apply from
rights/duties
visa processing time
indefinite leave to remain
duration/validity
savings / maintenance
type of endorsing bodies
passport
move FROM another visa
move TO another visa
visa cost
when to apply
documents required
visa extension
which endorsing body to apply
re-apply for endorsement
application stages
validity of endorsement
ability to get work
rejection from home office
english language requirement
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