LS Legal Solicitors

GLOBAL TALENT VISAS

The Global Talent visa is for talented and promising people in specific sectors such as the sciences, humanities, engineering, arts and technology. It replaced the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa. This visa can lead to settlement after three years if you are considered a talented candidate or five years if you are considered a promising candidate. Upon completing your settlement application and the required residency period in the UK, you can apply for British citizenship.

ELIGIBILITY

The Global Talent route is open to established talent - individuals who can demonstrate they are already leaders in their respective field - as well as applicants showing 'promise' and potential to become leaders in their field.

Professionals from the following fields will be able to apply:

• Science
• Research
• Digital technology
• Arts and culture, including film and television, fashion design and architecture
• Engineering
• Humanities
• Medicine

ENDORSEMENT

Global Talent visa applicants must first obtain endorsement from one of six Home Office-approved bodies unless they have been awarded a prestigious prize, as listed in 'Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes', which shows exceptional talent.

If you are applying for endorsement in science, engineering, medicine, social sciences or academic and research roles, your application will be endorsed by the Royal Society, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Royal Academy of Engineering or the British Academy. Their decision will be based on your profile and the evidence you provide.

If you are applying for endorsement in non-academic fields such as the arts, culture and digital technology, your application will be endorsed by Arts Council England or Tech Nation.

It is important to note that each endorsing body follows its own endorsement criteria.

Endorsing bodies consider two sets of criteria when assessing your application:

• Exceptional Talent criteria: if you can demonstrate they have made a significant contribution as a leader to their field; and
• Exceptional Promise criteria: if you are at an early stage in their careers but have already shown the potential to make significant contributions as a future leader in their field

English Language Requirements

You do not need to satisfy any English language requirements to apply for entry or an extension of stay in the UK.

Financial Requirements

You do not need to satisfy any maintenance funds requirements.

Length of Visas

You can apply for between 1 and 5 years leave per application.

Visa Extensions

You may apply for an extension of your Global Talent visa if you cannot meet the criteria for settlement. The main requirement for being granted an extension is to have earned money in the UK during your last grant of leave. These earnings must be linked to the field that led to your Global Talent or Prestigious prize endorsement. You will need to provide the Home Office with evidence from a verifiable, independent source. Your endorsement must also not have been withdrawn at the time of your extension application.

Settlement

Depending on your circumstances, you will be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain after spending a continuous period of 3 or 5 years in the UK.

To qualify for ILR in the Global Talent category, you will need to have spent not more than 180 days outside the UK during any rolling 12 months during the continuous period of leave relied upon in your application. These conditions do not apply if you, or your partner, have undertaken overseas research in science, engineering, humanities or medicine directly related to your visa endorsed work.