Overview
The Global Talent Visa is an immigration route for promising individuals in specific sectors intending to work in the UK. The Global Talent Visa enables successful applicants to work in the UK for up to 5 years with least entry requirements such as language test and minimum salary thresholds which are otherwise applicable on other UK immigration categories.
The Difference between Global Talent Visa & Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa
Global Talent Visa is an initiative to attract the brightest talent across the globe and invite them to work in the UK coming up with cutting-edge expertise, creativity, and innovation to maintain the UK’s position of prominence in the global economy. However, this immigration route actually came into existence after replacing Tier 1 (exceptional Talent) visa on 20th February 2020.
The concept of Global Talent streamlined and expanded the existing rules of the predecessor.
Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa used to fall under the PBS Category of Visas whereas Global Talent Visa does not follow Point Based System (PBS).
Under Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa, there were a limited number of “designated competent bodies” which were being assigned under the Immigration Rules. Global Talent Visa renamed these bodies as endorsing bodies, performing the same function with an addition of UKRI i.e. UK Research and Innovation.
These differences have undoubtedly provided a new pathway for the best tech talent to get the UK’s most flexible visa.
Qualifying Criteria for Global Talent Visa
Global Talent Visa Guidance states that the applicant needs to be endorsed as a leader (exceptional leader), or as an emerging promise (exceptional promise), or Under the UK Research and Innovation Endorsed Funder Option. The endorsing bodies are 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 Art and Culture), and UK Research and Innovation (particularly for Research applicants).
Arts Council England will pass on the application for review to British Fashion Council (For Fashion), Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (For Film and Television) if the qualifying field is fashion.
The application will be reviewed by the endorsing body relevant to the qualifying field.
Application Process
The applicant has to undergo two stages to the applications i.e. Endorsement Application and Immigration application.
1. Endorsement Application
The first stage involves submitting an application to obtain endorsement from the relevant endorsing bodies. The application is made to the Home Office, however, the endorsing body is the actual decision maker who will carefully assess whether to issue an endorsement. The endorsement decision is directly sent to the Home Office. The applicant will be straightway notified about the outcome of the Endorsement application.
2. Immigration Application
This stage involves the assessment of the Immigration aspects by the Home Office, whether general grounds for refusal apply, if the correct documents are provided and requirements of the immigration rules and policies have accurately met.
Benefits of Global Talent Visa
1. Global Talent Visa offers flexibility to change the roles without permission from the Home office. The applicant can easily enter self-employment and can also earn additional income from the other sources which may or may not be related to the field of research in which the applicant was initially endorsed.
2. The applicant can seek a permanent residency which is also known as “ Indefinite Leave to Remain” after staying in the country for 3 years in the UK.
3. Dependents can be included in the online application to extend or switch to a Global Talent Visa.
4. There is no minimum salary threshold to apply for a Global Talent Visa.
Processing time for the Global Talent Visa
Global Talent Visa processes faster than Tier-1 Exceptional Talent Visa. The processing time can vary between 4 to 8 weeks.
Global Talent Visa Fees
An applicant needs to pay Global Talent Visa Fees separately for the two stages which include £456 to get an endorsement when applied for the first time. As far as Stage 2 (visa application) is concerned, an applicant has to pay £152. Immigration application also calls for paying healthcare surcharge as a part of the application.
Why A Y & J?
A Y & J is an internationally recognized UK immigration law firm with a wide range of expertise to support immigration needs. Our qualified and multi-lingual team of immigration solicitors are keeping a close eye to the constantly changing immigration policies. We are always ready to provide creative solutions in order to meet clients’ objectives while complying UK immigration rules and policies.