Global Talent visa

Work in the UK independently without a job offer

Global Talent visa is for people with achievements – or a promise – in digital technology, science, engineering, architecture, medicine, arts including TV and fashion design. You can work or set up a business, then settle in the UK after 3 to 5 years. If you are successful with an endorsement, it’s a great visa because you can work for any employer (in your field) or work for yourself. You won’t be attached to a Sponsor and can change a place of work anytime, as long as you remain in your endorsed field. If you are already in the UK, you can switch from most categories, such as Student, Graduate Entrepreneur, Youth Mobility Scheme (working holiday), Skilled Worker, Tier 2 ICT and even family visas like a Partner/Spouse, which wasn’t possible until 2020.

You do not need an endorsement if you have won an award from the list the UK Government accepts for this purpose. 

A challenge is, of course, to obtain the endorsement. If you find it difficult, you may consider a sponsored work visa. It is now easier than ever! You need a Sponsor – a UK company – to employ and sponsor you under this visa route. There are rules and points for salary and other components but it is, generally, easier than the Talent endorsement. The downside – you will be tied to your Sponsor, so if you decide to change a job, you will need a new visa.  

We start from a consultation to discuss your situation and how we can help you to obtain endorsement. We work with customers worldwide over Zoom, WhatsApp, email. If you are in the UK, you may prefer a consultation at our office face-to-face with our OISC-accredited and experienced immigration advisers. Our office is conveniently located in the City, close to Liverpool Street Underground station. 

Book a consultation now on the link here.

Endorsements can be from the following designated bodies: 

  • 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 active researches

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

Each designated body has its own criteria for endorsement and evidence they require. They are the ones you need to ’impress’ with your talent or promise. When your endorsement has been granted – and with us it has all the best chances! – it will be either Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise, depending on your previous experience and achievements. 

At 1st 4Immigration we will guide you on obtaining an endorsement and a subsequent visa application! We will explain the criteria, help to prepare and submit your documents. 

Start from booking a consultation now on the link here. 

Once you have an endorsement, you have to apply for a visa within 3 months. You can apply from outside the UK or can switch inside the UK from most categories (but not a visitor or some others). The visa can be granted from 1 to 5 years, as requested by the applicant. Start from booking a consultation now on the link here. 

It is possible to apply for a visa before your Endorsement has been confirmed. For example, if you are switching from a Tier 2 visa (including ICT) or from a Tier 1 visa, and your current visa expires soon. You may be able to apply for a visa before your current visa ends and wait for both Endorsement and a visa decision. For more details, book a consultation now on the link here.

As mentioned above, your initial Talent visa can be issued from 1 to 5 years, as requested by you. The longer duration the higher Government fee and health charge. You can qualify for Settlement after 3 to 5 years in the UK, and can even combine this with some other categories, such as Tier 2 General, Skilled Worker or Tier 1 Entrepreneur. 

The above-mentioned factors decide how long a visa you should request. Plus there are finer details, such as limits on absences from the UK, or criminality (usually, a driving offence), which can prevent you from applying for Settlement for another few years.

So, if you have to extend your stay after initial Talent visa, you can do so, providing your endorsing body has not withdrawn your endorsement (not the same as another endorsement). Also, providing you have earned income from working in your ‘Talent’ field, which can be as an employee, self-employed or a sponsored researcher. 

 

Book a consultation now on the link here.

The qualifying period of residency is minimum 3 years – and can be combined with some other categories before that – in the following scenarios: if you were endorsed as a Talent by Arts Council England or Tech Nation; if you were endorsed (Talent or Promise) by Royal Society, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering or UKRI; if you applied on the basis of winning a prize.

In all other cases, the qualifying period for ILR is minimum 5 years. You can combine with some other eligible visa categories before that, such as Tier 2 General, Skilled Worker or Tier 1 Entrepreneur. If you happened to have lived in the UK legally for 10 years – on any visas – you could qualify for ILR 10 years residence, which may be even sooner, we have a section on it here.

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