Global Talent Visa Application Guidance UK

There are two stages for a global talent visa, which we have detailed below.

The first stage is that you obtain an endorsement in a relevant field from your relevant awarding body. You need to be in any of the following areas to be eligible for this visa:

• Research or academia
• Digital Technology (including artificial intelligence, financial technology etc)
• in the arts, dance, literature, music, theatre and visual arts
• Architecture
• Fashion design
• Film and Television
• Humanities
• Social sciences
• Engineering
• Science

In addition, to be from any of the above fields, you also need to be over the age of 18 and also meet the suitability requirements. You do not need to be endorsed if a Home Office eligible prize list has been awarded. Receiving any such prize shows exceptional talent. However, in all other cases, you will need an endorsement.

The second stage is to apply for your visa once you have received your endorsement.

For a successful Global Talent visa, you must provide the following documents :

• Provide an endorsement letter from the relevant endorsing authority
• A valid passport (any equivalent valid travel document will also suffice)

A TB test result (Only applies if you are from one of the listed countries that requires this test)

Science, Engineering, Humanities, and Medicine fields have several endorsing bodies. If you apply from any of these fields, you may be endorsed by The Royal Society, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Tech Nation is one of the essential endorsing bodies in the digital sector. Like in previous fields, there is no limit on how many candidates Tech Nation can endorse for the Global Talent visa route. But Tech Nation will thoroughly review your application for endorsement. It checks for the following things:

• You should be technical and have the ability to create, use, and construct technological infrastructure and technology stacks
• If you are in a business position, you must show competence in creating, investing, or managing enterprises.

When applying for an endorsement from Tech Nation, you must also provide your CV. It should have all your accomplishments in the digital sector and publishing history. Moreover, there should be three recommendation letters as well.

There is one key thing to note about the letter of recommendation letters. They cannot be from the same organization. Each needs to be from different recognised authorities. The letter should state how they know you, how they know about your success in your profession, and how they feel about making an impact in the UK economy.

Endorsements for Global Talent visa in the architecture field are done by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). They do it on behalf of the Arts Council England. You need to show that you are professionally employed as an architect.

Not only that. You also need to show that your work has also been recognised as excellent and has been recognised, published, and presented abroad. 

If you are applying under the exceptional talent criteria, you must have a great record of producing fantastic architectural work in multiple countries in the last five years. 

However, if you apply under the exceptional promise criteria, you must show a developing track record in one or more countries. There is no limit to how many candidates the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) can endorse for the Global Talent visa.

Creative workers in the film and television industry will need an endorsement from The Producers’ Alliance for Film and Television (PACT). It is the endorsing body for film and television. And just like the previous fields, there is no cap on how many people the PACT can endorse.

You must demonstrate remarkable skills in film sectors, post-production, visual effects, and animation to get an endorsement. Unlike other bodies, the Producers’ Alliance for Film and Television (PACT) does not provide endorsements for great promise candidates. You must also be able to evidence that you have won or been nominated (during the relevant time limit) for either an Academy Awards, BAFTA, Golden Globes, Emmys.

Those in the fashion industry must apply for endorsement from the British Fashion Council (BFC), who will review and endorse your application on behalf of the Arts Council England.

BFC is endorsing both candidates who are classified as exceptional talent and also show great promise. Whether you are a leader in your field or show great promise, you can apply for an endorsement. And the number of candidates BFC can endorse is unlimited.

To be endorsed for a Global Talent visa in the arts and culture field, you need to be creating exceptional work. The Arts Council England will review your application. In addition, you can get an endorsement whether you are a current leader in your field or have great promise. Your work must be considered `outstanding` and published or performed internationally. 

You must prove that people have engaged with your work through appearances, performances, publications and exhibitions. This must be eligible for an endorsement from the Arts Council England. 

To be considered an exceptionally talented leader you must have been a professional practitioner for at least five years, with a superb track record in at least two countries.

However, if you are applying based on an exceptional promise, you need to show a developing track record in at least two countries.

An endorsement letter is crucial for your Global Talent visa to be accepted by the Home Office. An endorsement letter is necessary unless you have an award from any Home Office eligible prize list. 

The application for this visa is made in two stages. You will first need to apply for an endorsement. However, obtaining an endorsement is not that simple.

You need to secure an endorsement letter from an eligible endorsing body. Here are examples of eligible endorsement bodies for various fields:

• Tech Nation (for digital technology endorsement)
• The British Academy (for humanities and social science endorsements)
• Arts Council England (for arts and culture endorsements)
• The UK Research and Innovation, also known as UKRI (for endorsement in all research fields)
• The Royal Academy (for engineering endorsements)
• The Royal Society (for natural and medical science endorsements)

As you can see, there are a lot of endorsing bodies, and you need to evidence to the relevant endorsing body that you meet their strict requirements. This is where a Global Talent visa lawyer or firm like WestBridge Business Immigration can help. We can review your specific case and suggest which body to apply for an endorsement from and what documents are required.

You will also need to pay a fee of £456 for your endorsement.

The process for getting endorsed may seem pretty straightforward. However, the documents and lengthy process can get complicated for some. All applications for endorsements are made on the official UK government website. The endorsing body will then decide whether your contribution, performance, and talent in your field are eligible for endorsement.

The endorsing body relays this information to the UK Home Office. You can click here to learn more about applying for the stage 1 part of the whole process.

Also, remember that you may apply for a visa while applying for the endorsement. Then stage 2 of the process is the actual application for the Global Talent visa.

You only need to apply for an endorsement if you have not received an award from the eligible prize list. Therefore, your application may be processed more quickly if you have received an award which is on the Home Office’s prize list.

The list of awards is very extensive and includes awards such as the booker award, BAFTAs, Brit awards, Gold Medal, Holberg Prize, Olivier awards etc. As long as the prize is on the Home Office’s recognised prize list, you can apply for the Global Talent visa.

You may bring your partner and children to the UK under the Global Talent visa route. They will be classed as your dependents. However, there are specific eligibility criteria for your dependents as well. Any of the following will be classified as your dependent:

• Husband, civil partner, wife or an unmarried partner
• Your child under the age of 18 (even if they were born in the UK during the stay)
• Your child over the age of 18 (if they are currently your dependent inside the UK)

Your dependents (partners and children) must also provide sufficient evidence for their relationship with you. Here are the specific details your partner needs to prove:

• that you are in a marriage or civil partnership that is recognised in the UK; or
• that they have been living with you for at least two years akin to marriage, if you are unmarried

As stated above, Global Talent visas are applied for in two stages, and the fees are paid in two stages as well. 

At stage one, the `endorsement stage`, you will pay £456.

At stage two, the `application stage`, you will pay the following fees

• An application fee of £167
• Dependant application fees of £623 per dependent
• The Immigration Health Surcharge of £624 per person, per year of leave granted.

To apply for the global talent visa inside the UK, you must first apply for an endorsement if you do not currently hold a Global Talent visa. 

If you are extending your visa inside the UK, your endorsement must not have been withdrawn or your award that you based your initial application on must not have been withdrawn.

Typically, the processing times are as follows:

• 15 working days from your appointment date if you apply from outside the UK
• Eight weeks if you apply from inside the UK

Sometimes, you might get a faster decision if you apply from a specific field. For example, applicants in the digital technology field can get their endorsement faster. And that can speed up the Global Talent visa application process as well.

Individuals are allowed to stay in the UK for up to five years at a time. There is no limit to the number of years you can stay under the Global Talent visa, meaning you can apply for a five year visa then extend for five years, meaning your total period of stay is 10 years.

But if your visa is nearing its expiry date, you must apply for an extension. Moreover, you can also apply for leave in whole-year increments. And you can do it for up to 5 years.

Currently, there are no restrictions in the immigration rules stopping you from switching from a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa onto a global mobility visa. There are some visas from which you cannot switch to the Global Talent visa. Here are the visas that do not allow you to switch:

• Visit visa
• Short-term student visa
• Private or domestic worker visa
• Parent of a child's student visa
• Seasonal worker visa
• On immigration bail
• If you were permitted to stay outside the UK immigration law under compassionate grounds

If you hold any of the above visas, you cannot switch. And you need to leave the UK and apply again for the Global Talent visa. 

The Global Talent visa leads to settlement after five years inside the UK. This is called ILR (standing for Indefinite Leave to Remain).

It allows you to stay and work in the UK for as long as you want, and can allow you to meet the requirements for British citizenship. 

The current eligibility criteria,is detailed below:

• You meet the suitability criteria
• You have been living in the UK for three or five consecutive years (depending on your circumstances) and have not broken the residence requirements
• Your endorsement or award you original applied with has not been withdrawn
• You have earned money for the requisite amount of time you have been in the UK
• You have passed the Life in the UK test and also meet the English language requirement

We at WestBridge Business Immigration understand how stressful applying for an ILR can be. Therefore, our expert immigration lawyers are here to help you navigate the legal nuances and provide helpful advice on how to successfully get ILR.

Unless you are exempt, you must meet the English language requirement to level B1 CEFR, by either passing an approved test, being from a majority English speaking country, or having a qualification which was taught in English.

Life in the UK Test for ILR

Since this test is pretty important, you should take sufficient time to prepare for the test. It is a multiple choice exam about British life, history and culture. The official handbook for the Life in the UK test has all the material you need to prepare for the test. Therefore, make sure you study it before taking the test.

At WestBridge Business Immigration, we take full responsibility for your Global Talent visa application. We take care of everything from advising on supporting documents, drafting the application submission/cover letter, working with the Home Office on your behalf, and supporting your application.

We are immigration and visa specialists with years of experience. This means we have in-depth expertise and knowledge regarding the Global Talent visa process.

Our experience means that our lawyers can provide you with the best Global Talent visa guidance. We offer fixed fees, so there are no surprise increases later. Our clients have a dedicated senior associate providing a comprehensive hand-holding service.

In addition, we prioritise our client’s time and provide rapid responses. Our service standard for replying to emails and telephone messages is the next business day.