The UK’s new initiative to draw top talent to the nation is called the Global Visa. It has taken the place of the Tier 1 Extraordinary Talent Visa as of February 20, 2020.

You can work in the UK for up to five years without a sponsor or a job offer if you have a Global Talent Visa for the UK and are a “leader or future leader” in the sectors of digital technology, arts and academics.

Additionally, you are permitted to renew your visa as often as you like and to switch occupations without informing the immigration authorities.

Eligibility Criteria For The Global Talent Visa For The UK

If you have extraordinary talent and potential to become a leader in one of the following disciplines, you may be eligible for a Global Talent visa to work in the UK:

• Research or academia
• Arts and Culture
• And digital technologies

Academia Or Research

You must have extraordinary potential or promise in one of the following fields to be eligible for a UK Global Talent Visa in academia or research:

• Humanities
• Science
• Engineering
• Medicine

Additionally, you must fall under one of the following categories:

• You have been offered a position in the UK as a senior scholar or researcher (such as a university professor).
• In the UK, you were awarded a fellowship specifically for you.
• You are a participant in a research grant that UK Research and Innovation has approved (UKRI).

If your application is supported by peer review even if you do not have any of the previous qualifications, you can still register for the Global Talent Visa for the UK. In this situation, a letter of recommendation from a person in a prominent position who has “internationally recognised experience” in your subject is required.

Arts And Culture

You must exhibit extraordinary talent or remarkable promise in one of the following areas to be eligible for a UK Global Talent Visa in the arts and culture fields:

• Integrated arts
• Visual arts
• Music
• Theatre
• Dance
• Literature

Furthermore, you must fall within one of the following headings:

• You have consistently worked in your field for the past five years and produced work that has received international acclaim and been rated as “excellent” by the Arts Council England.
• You can demonstrate that your work is well known in at least two nations if you want to be considered a leader in your profession.

Architecture

To be eligible for an architecture-related Global Talent Visa, you must:

• Have produced work that has been published globally over the past five years as an architect.
• Have produced work that has been deemed “excellent” by the RIBA.

Fashion Design

To be eligible for a Global Talent Visa for fashion design you must meet the following requirements:

• Be viewed as having extraordinary potential or promise in your profession.
• Have spent the past five years working steadily in the field of fashion design.
• You must be recognised as a key player in the field.
• You must have artwork that is sold, displayed or showcased in catwalk exhibitions on a global scale.
• Prominent members of the fashion business must acknowledge your work.

Film And Television

The Producers’ Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) will determine whether you are a leader or an exceptional talent when determining whether you are eligible for a Global Talent Visa in the fields of film and television (which also includes animation, post-production, animation and visual effects).

Digital Technology

You must fall into one of the following categories to be deemed an extraordinary ability or exceptional promise in the area of digital technology:

• You founded or held a senior position in a tech startup with a cutting-edge product.
• You have experience in cutting-edge digital industry or ideas.
• You have imparted knowledge, served as a mentor or worked together on initiatives that benefited the digital technology industry.

Additional prerequisites include having received honours, acquiring new abilities over your career, having your research published or having your work endorsed by an authority figure.

Required Documents To Apply For The Global Talent Programme In The UK

Depending on your area of expertise, you will need to submit different types of paperwork when filing for a Global Talent Visa. This comprises:

• For academic leaders or researchers: A letter from the organization’s head of human resources.
• State your name, title and department in the letter.
• Mention that you won the job after applying through a publicised open competition.
• Mention that four senior academics from the company where you will work interviewed you.
• Mention that you submitted three or more references.
• For work on a research grant: A written statement from the funder confirming the fund was at least £30,000 and it will last for at least two years.
• For peer-reviewed endorsements: A letter from a “recognised international expert” in your field of competence. The letter must include the following information:
• How do they know you
• That they think you have extraordinary potential or promise
• That you would benefit from living in the UK and contribute to it.
• For those in cultural leadership:
  • Your CV
  • Three letters of recommendation that describe how the writers know you, identify your accomplishments and explain why they think you would benefit from this programme and what you could contribute to the UK.
  • Ten or more pieces of proof that support your accomplishments, such as press coverage abroad, accolades abroad, appearances abroad or exhibitions abroad.
• For those in charge of digital technology:
  • Three letters of recommendation from well-known digital technology organisations. Each letter must describe how the individual knows you, provide evidence of their authority, highlight your accomplishments in digital technology and explain why the writer regards you as a leader or potential leader.
  • Proof of any online technology companies you have founded or held senior positions in over the previous five years.
  • A maximum of ten pieces of supporting documentation for your qualification and eligibility.

How To Apply For A Global Talent Visa For The UK?

Two steps make up the registration process for a global visa to the UK:

1. Submitting an application for endorsement from a group regarded as an authority in your field of choice.
2. Submitting a Global Talent Visa application.

Applying For Endorsement

To prove that you are a leader or a potential leader in your profession, you must obtain an endorsement. You must register on the UK Home Office’s Visas and Immigration website using your email address before you can submit your application.

You must pay the endorsement charge and submit the necessary paperwork (see below). You can close the registration and pick up where you left off later if you do not have all the required documentation.

The UK Home Office will next submit your endorsement registration to one of these so-called “endorsements organisations” for evaluation, depending on the industry you plan to work in.

Depending on the entity examining your application, the processing time for the endorsement request can range from one to eight weeks.

Applying For The Global Talent Visa

After receiving your endorsement, you must submit the endorsement letter and any necessary supporting documents in order to apply for a UK visa. Three months before your intended departure for the UK, you must apply. You may submit one application on behalf of yourself and each dependent family member.

Your visa should arrive in three weeks on average.

What Is The Duration Of A Global Visa?

The duration of a Global Talent Visa for the UK is five years, with the option of renewal. After three years of residency, you may apply for settlement in the UK if you qualify as a leader or an outstanding talent. After five years, you can submit a settlement application if you apply as a potential leader.

Global Visa UK Fees

The total cost per person for a Global Visa is £608.

• £152 for the visa (£97 if you’re from Turkey or North Macedonia)
• £456 for the endorsement

Can I Bring My Family To The UK With A Global Talent Visa?

You can bring your entire family to the UK with you if you qualify for a Global Talent Visa and you can all apply at once. Your partner and any minor or dependent children are included in this. You must provide the required documentation and pay an additional £608 application cost for each dependent family member.

Can I Switch To A Global Talent Visa?

You can apply to change to a Global Talent Visa if you are already in the UK on one of the following visas:

• Tier 1 Visa
• Tier 2 Visa
• Tier 5 for temporary workers on a Government Authorised Exchange (exchange scheme for sponsored researchers)
• Start-up visa
• Innovator visa

Ensure that your visa is still valid before applying. You will have overstayed if your visa is expired. You might not be able to wait for your registration to be processed if your visa is about to expire.

You must leave the UK and register for a visa from your home country if you are there on another type of visa.