Global Talent Visa

The Global Talent visa route is available for talented and promising academics, researchers and specialists who are working in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, the social sciences or the humanities. Applying for a Global Talent visa is a two-stage process and must be undertaken by the applicant.

Applying for a Global Talent Visa

Applying for a Global Talent Visa is a two-stage process. For the first stage, you must apply to be endorsed by one of the Designated Competent Bodies who have been given authority by the Home Office to determine who meets the visa criteria:

  • British Academy
  • Royal Academy of Engineering
  • Royal Society
  • UKRI
  • Arts Council England

After gaining an endorsement, you are then able to proceed to the second stage, which is the visa application itself. If you gain an endorsement, you are guaranteed a Global Talent visa (subject to normal immigration checks).

There are four different routes through which a Global Talent Visa can be gained:

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Academic and Research Appointments

You will only be considered eligible for the academic and research appointments route if responsibility for academic, research or innovation leadership and development or for directing or leading an individual or team research or innovation project or programme of work is a significant function of the role you have accepted.

The 'academic, research or innovation leadership and development' category is for individuals in senior leadership roles at a departmental, faculty or institutional level. Typical duties may include strategy development and delivery and overseeing the management of staff and resources. Example roles (not exhaustive) include Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor, Reader or Head of School.

The 'directs or leads' category is for individuals whose role requires them to act independently in initiating, planning and managing a research or innovation project or programme of work without supervision. This is likely to make you ineligible if your role is an entry level postdoctoral research position. If your role involves teaching and curriculum development, your endorsement application must confirm that directing or leading a research or innovation project or programme of work is a significant function of the role alongside your teaching and learning responsibilities. If it is not a significant function, you will not be considered eligible for this route.

HR will provide you with a statement of guarantee from the Director of Human Resources if you are able to meet the criteria.

Individual Fellowship

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 Royal Society. The fellowship must be held currently or within the last 12 months.

Endorsed Funders

The third route is for researchers whose name or job title is specified in a successful grant application from an endorsed funder approved by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The funding or award must be at least £30,000 and cover a minimum period of 2 years, researchers must hold or have been offered a contract for at least two years;

HR will provide you with a statement of guarantee from the Director of Human Resources if you are able to meet the criteria.

Peer review

The fourth route is for individuals who wish to be considered for endorsement by peer review undertaken by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering or the Royal Society.

Applicants can choose to be considered under ‘exceptional talent’ (for leaders in their field) or ‘exceptional promise’ (for potential leaders in their field). This route is not fast-track. You can apply with or without a job offer.

The British Academy reviews applications from the humanities and social sciences, the Royal Academy of Engineering covers engineering, and the Royal Society covers the natural and medical sciences. The full list of eligible disciplines and sub-disciplines per endorsing body is available on GOV.UK.

How to Apply

Click here for more information on how to apply or switch to the Global Talent visa.

Students Switching into the Global Talent Visa

Students switching into the Global Talent visa route, can only do so if they have either completed their course or where they are a PHD student and have completed at least 24 months of their current PhD course.

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