Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent Visa route replaced the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa route on 20th February 2020. There are no changes to visa conditions for existing Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa holders.
The Global Talent visa (GTV) route is available for those who have been endorsed as an internationally recognised leader (“exceptional talent”) or potential leader (“exceptional promise”) in their field of science, humanities, engineering, medicine, digital technology or the arts. The visa comes with many benefits over the Skilled Worker visa route, including lower cost and greater flexibility. You can choose how long you want to apply for, up to 5 years at a time and you may be able to get indefinite leave to remain after 3 years, depending on the endorsement path you are applying under.
Applying for a Global Talent visa is a two stage process. You can only apply for a Global Talent visa once you have successfully applied for an endorsement to prove that you are a leader or potential leader, assessed by one of the Designated Competent Bodies:
- The Royal Society – for natural sciences and medical sciences applications
- The British Academy – for social scienes and humanities applications
- The Royal Academy of Engineering – for engineering applications
- Arts Council England – for arts, culture, fashion, architecture, film and television applications
- UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – for endorsed funder applications
- Tech Nation – for digital technology applications
There are four different routes under which you may obtain endorsement for the Global Talent Visa:
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Academic and research appointments – fast-track endorsement for individuals who have accepted a position with Queen’s University in which the primary function is to have responsibility for either academic, research or innovation leadership and development, or for directing or leading an individual or team in a research or innovation project or programme of work. Please contact International Staff Support for more information and to obtain your statement of guarantee which will form the basis of your endorsement application. This route is administered by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society but you will submit your endorsement application as “exceptional talent” through the government website and the Home Office will forward the application to the relevant endorsing body. You should receive your endorsement confirmation via email within 14 days of this referral.
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Individual fellowships – fast-track endorsement for individuals who have been awarded an individual fellowship on the list approved by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society. The fellowship must be held currently or within the last 12 months. You are eligible for this route whether you are a current or prospective employee of the University. Once you have received the award letter, you can apply for endorsement online as “exceptional talent” or “exceptional promise” (depending on your fellowship) through the government website. The Home Office will forward the application to the Royal Society/British Academy/Royal Academy of Engineering as applicable and you should receive your endorsement confirmation via email within 14 days of this referral.
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Endorsed funders – fast-track endorsement for researchers and specialists whose name or job title is specified in a successful grant application from an endorsed funder approved by UKRI and who are hosted or employed by Queen’s University. Eligibility extends to the principal investigator (Pls), co-investigators (Co-ls) and team roles stated in the grant application at graduate level and above - for example, postdoctoral researchers, research assistants, technologists and methodologists – who spend at least 50% of their work time on fulfilling the grant conditions (Pls and Co-ls holding multiple grants must demonstrate 50% in aggregate). A minimum award threshold of £30,000 applies and the minimum grant duration is 24 months. If currently employed, you must have at least two years left on your employment contract to be eligible. Please contact International Staff Support for more information and to obtain your statement of guarantee which will form the basis of your endorsement application along with the award letter. Once you have submitted your endorsement application through the government website, listing your “field of talent” (research field), the Home Office will forward the application to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and you should receive your endorsement confirmation by email within 14 days of this referral.
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Peer review – standard endorsement for individuals who submit an application for full peer review by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering or Royal Society. This route is not fast-track, but you can apply with or without a job offer. To evidence your eligibility you must provide your most recent CV, a letter of personal recommendation from an eminent person resident in the UK and (for exceptional talent) evidence in relation to at least one of the qualifying criteria (please see table below). Once you have submitted your endorsement application through the peer review section of the government website, the Home Office will forward the application to the relevant endorsing body and you should receive your endorsement confirmation by email within 4-8 weeks of this referral.
| EXCEPTIONAL TALENT (PEER REVIEW) | EXCEPTIONAL PROMISE (PEER REVIEW) |
|---|---|
| You must have a PhD or equivalent research experience (including industrial or clinical research) | You must have a PhD or equivalent research experience (including industrial or clinical research) |
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AND You must be a member of your national academy or a foreign member of an academy of another country; or You must have been awarded a prestigious internationally recognised prize; or You must provide a letter of recommendation from a senior member of a reputable UK organisation concerned with research in your field. |
AND You must be at an early stage in your career. You must have been awarded, or have held in the last five years, a prestigious UK‐based research fellowship, an international fellowship or advanced post judged by the endorsing body to be equivalent to such a fellowship (such as a job offer at the University in a post-doc role). |
| You must be an active researcher in a relevant field, typically in a university, research institute or in industry | You must be an active researcher in a relevant field, typically in a university, research institute or in industry |
If your endorsement is successful you’ll receive an email from the Home Office with a copy of the endorsement letter, which you will need for your visa application. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of receiving your letter of endorsement from the Home Office. If you submitted your endorsement and visa applications at the same time, your endorsement letter will be automatically linked to your visa application. You do not need to do anything. However, should your endorsement be refused, your visa application will also be refused and you will not be refunded for either application. You do not need to apply for your visa at the same time as the endorsement. This is primarily beneficial if you are currently in the UK and your current visa is about to expire. Please contact International Staff Support if you need further advice.
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DEPENDANTS
Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your dependants if they’re eligible. A dependant partner or child is any of the following:
- your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
- your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay
- your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant
You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.
A dependant can apply at the same time as the main applicant to enter the UK. Alternatively, they can wait until you have entered the UK and started work before they apply. Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee.
- IMMIGRATION HEALTH SURCHARGE
As part of your Global Talent visa application you must pay a healthcare surcharge (called the ‘immigration health surcharge’ or IHS) which will enable you to access the National Health Service (NHS) throughout your stay in the UK. When making your immigration application online, you pay the surcharge as part of your application or when you book an appointment.