Global Talent

The Global Talent visa is the gold standard in visas, replacing – but to a great extent replicating - the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa.

It is available to those who are at the top of their profession and have been endorsed as a recognised leader in their field (exceptional talent), as an emerging leader (exceptional promise), or as a UK Research and Innovation endorsed funder.

Stage 1 of the process to obtain the visa is to make an application to be endorsed as a person of exceptional promise or exceptional talent. The application goes for consideration to the appropriate body for your field or profession:

  • The Royal Society, for science and medicine
  • The Royal Academy of Engineering, for engineering
  • The British Academy, for humanities
  • Tech Nation, for digital technology
  • Arts Council England, for arts and culture
  • UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) for, research applicants

If your qualifying field is fashion, architecture or film and television, Arts Council England will pass on your application for review to:

  • British Fashion Council, for fashion
  • Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), for architecture
  • Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT), for film and television

If your application for endorsement is successful, the second stage is to apply for the visa or permission to enter or remain as a person of Global Talent.

Global Talent or Exceptional Talent visa holders endorsed by one of the four Science bodies above (Royal Society, Royal Academy, British Academy and UKRI) qualify for accelerated settlement after three years instead of the usual five years.  Family members must still complete five years.

We have extensive experience with the predecessor, the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa, particularly in relation to senior academics, and we have assisted numerous talented individuals make successful submissions for endorsement followed by successful applications for residence in the UK.