What is the Global Talent Visa in the UK?

For many people who are wishing to come and work in the UK, the visa can be the biggest hurdle. There are several ways of obtaining a valid work permit in the UK. One is being sponsored by companies or eligible organisations, and the other one is obtaining visas that allow you to work in the UK without a job offer or sponsorship, such as Global Talent Visa.

The Global Talent visa is a UK immigration category for talented and promising individuals in specific sectors wishing to work in the UK. It was introduced in February 2020, replacing the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa, in response to the UK's declining global competitiveness. Since its launch, the visa has been well-received by businesses and individuals.

The Global Talent visa is designed to attract and retain the world's brightest and best talent to the UK. It is open to individuals who are leaders or potential leaders in their field and who can demonstrate that they have made a significant contribution to their field.

There are three main streams of the Global Talent visa:

• Academia and research: This stream is for individuals who are leaders or potential leaders in science, engineering, medicine, the social sciences or the humanities, or for other academic and research roles.
• Arts and culture: This stream is for individuals who are leaders or potential leaders in the arts, culture, or creative industries.
• Digital technology: This stream is for individuals who are leaders or potential leaders in digital technology, for example, in financial technology ('fintech'), gaming, cyber security, or artificial intelligence.

To be eligible for the Global Talent visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a leader or potential leader in your field.
• You must have won an eligible award or have been endorsed by one of the endorsing bodies.
• You must have a valid passport from a country outside the UK.
• You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family while you are in the UK.

The endorsing bodies are:

• The British Academy
• The Royal Academy of Engineering
• The Royal Society
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

If you meet the requirements, you can apply for the Global Talent visa online. The visa application process takes about 8 weeks if you are in the UK or about 3 weeks if you are outside the UK, and the application fee for the Global Talent visa is £623. If you are applying for the visa with your family, the application fee is around £1,300.

In addition to the visa fee, you’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application - this is usually £624 per year for each person applying.

The Global Talent visa is a valuable way for talented individuals to work in the UK. It offers a number of benefits, including:

• The ability to live and work in the UK for up to 5 years.
• The ability to bring your family with you to the UK.
• The right to apply for permanent residence after 3 or 5 years, depending on your circumstances.

If you are a talented individual who is looking to work in the UK, the Global Talent visa is a great option. However, not everyone can meet those requirements. If you do not meet the criteria, there are many other options available, such as a Skilled Worker visa, Health and Care Worker visa, Graduate visa or High Potential Individual visa, among which the Skilled Worker visa and Health and Care Worker visa are the most popular ones.