The UK Global Talent Visa allows you to move to England and work for an existing company or start your own project. Its purpose is to attract promising specialists in digital technology, arts, and science to the UK. You can live in London, Edinburgh, Manchester, and virtually any other city in the UK.
Prior to 2020, this immigration route was called the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa. With the UK’s exit from the EU and subsequent changes in immigration policy, some changes have occurred. For example, there are now no limits on the number of Global Talent visas issued annually.
Who can move to England under the Global Talent Visa?
The UK’s Talent Visa is open to experienced professionals who can demonstrate exceptional potential and ability to progress in their chosen field in the UK. There are three main areas that qualify:
You must clearly explain how your presence in the UK will benefit the local economy and how you plan to maximize your skills and grow professionally in your field.
You should have achievements in your area. This could be grants for scientists, publications and exhibitions for applicants in the cultural field, or you may be a founder or key employee of a technology company. You can also apply if you are working on projects approved by the UK Research and Innovation Fund to be eligible for this visa.
Arts and Culture Categories:
- Organizers and producers
- Architects
- Artists
- Designers
- Dancers
- Musicians
- Theater workers
- Film workers
- Writers
- Photographers
Digital Technology Categories:
- Fintech company employees
- Cybersecurity professionals
- Artificial intelligence workers
- Gaming industry professionals
Science and Research Categories:
- Researchers
- Medical professionals
- Engineers
- Humanities scholars
What does the process look like?
Step 1. Gather the required documents.
Don’t forget to translate them into English and get them apostilled if necessary (for example, diplomas for a candidate or doctoral degree).
Step 2. Submit an online application to have your achievements and talents assessed.
Provide the necessary documents, submit the application, and wait for the confirmation letter.
Step 3. Apply for the visa.
Do this within three months of receiving the confirmation letter.
Step 4. Obtain the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card.
Step 1. Documents
Most often, you need to provide three letters of recommendation and supporting documents. The package for the Science and Research field is slightly different: you need to provide a CV and one letter from a representative of the scientific community.
More details on the required documents for the Global Talent Visa:
1. A resume that shows you have been an active professional in your field over the past five years.
- Google yourself: the approving authorities look for potential visa candidates online.
- Check all your data and update your LinkedIn profile.
- Your education doesn’t necessarily have to match your chosen field. It will be enough if you work and develop in the chosen area.
- You don’t have to hold high positions in the company. The main thing is your contribution to the business development.
2. A personal statement. This is the moment when you can tell in detail why you are suitable for this visa and how your skills can help the UK economy.
3. Three letters of recommendation. The requirements differ slightly for each field, let’s look at the letters of recommendation in the Arts and Culture field as an example:
- The first letter should be from an organization that fits your field and is located in the UK. Many candidates who have not lived in Britain before have difficulties with this. Our partner lawyers at Sterling Law can help with this.
- The second letter should be from an organization that may be outside the UK. In the letter, we advise you to write how the recommending expert got to know you, and what exactly you did in the company.
- The third letter should be from an organization or individual who has a good reputation in your field.
The receiving authorities contact to clarify some data, so don’t forget to provide all the contacts.
4. Additional documents (usually up to 10 files) – anything that demonstrates your Talent or Promise to become a leader in your field. Don’t be shy about showing achievements outside your main professional activity. What kind of documents can these be?
- Awards or nominations
- Additional letters of recommendation
- Your lectures or articles
- Interviews with you or publications about you (some blogs may not be accepted, for example, Medium are usually not suitable as evidence)
- Exhibitions and portfolio. Indicate any exhibitions or publications with your name
- Employment contracts or financial reports
- Mentorship experience and presentations (especially for applicants in the field of digital technology)
In general, these can be any documents that show you are an expert in your field and that your potential will be beneficial to the UK. In some cases (for example, for applicants in the field of science), you may need to send paper copies of documents at a later stage. For applicants in the field of digital technology, electronic copies of all documents are sufficient.
How to get media publications?
To confirm your talent or expertise, you can use media coverage. Our company PRNEWS.IO can help you get publications in trusted media quickly and efficiently.
We can consult and assist with the timing of media publications – what is better to write about, on which publications to publish, etc. Just write to our support, and our operators will consult you quickly and professionally.
Step 2. Get an assessment of your skills
You can submit an application on the UK Home Office website. After the list of documents and recommendations, you will see the “Apply for endorsement” section with links to pages where you can submit applications.
The processing time for the application is individual, but usually you don’t have to wait more than 8 weeks for a response. When your application is approved, you will receive a notification by email. Now you can apply for the visa.
Step 3. Submitting the visa application
The visa application must be submitted within three months of receiving the confirmation letter (see the first point).
You can submit the visa application at the visa application center in your country of citizenship or residence. You can find out where you can find such an office in your country here.
If you are already in the UK on a resident program, you can convert your current visa to a talent visa (check the types of visas that cannot be converted).
In both cases, the process involves submitting an application form and providing supporting documents, including identification, police certificates, bank statements and others.
Step 4. Obtain the residence permit
Now you can fly to the UK and start a new life in the country of your choice. If your visa application is denied, try applying again. Take a fresh look at your case – maybe it’s worth focusing on other achievements or different professional experience, your own business or project.
With the UK Talent Visa, you can bring your family with you: your spouse/partner and children under the age of 18. Your family members can also work and study in the UK without restrictions.
Although getting approval can be challenging, you won’t need an invitation from a British company, your own active business, or large investments in the country’s economy.
The Global Talent Visa has two main categories: Exceptional Promise and Exceptional Talent.
Exceptional Promise: This category is suitable for those who are at the beginning of their professional or creative careers. In this category, applicants do not necessarily need to have a large number of awards and achievements. It is enough that you have been working and developing in the chosen field for 5 years.
Exceptional Talent: In this category, major awards and achievements are important. Typically, candidates must have at least 5 years of experience in the field.
The advantage of the Exceptional Talent category is that you are issued a visa for only 3 years, after which you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). This is one of the fastest ways to get permanent residency and citizenship in the UK! With the “Exceptional Promise” category, you will have to wait another 2 years before applying for ILR. And you can obtain citizenship after residing in the country for 6 years.
The main differences are in your work experience and achievements. For example, if you have been in your position for more than 5 years, you are considered an experienced specialist, and it will be a bit more difficult to apply under the Promise category. Of course, each experience is individual, and the Global Talent visa is a new format for the UK visa, with rules that are periodically changing.
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