Applying for a Global Talent Visa Based on Prizes

If you have received one of the identified prizes you can apply for a Global Talent visa without an endorsement

The U.K.’s Global Talent visa is tailored for talented individuals in the fields of science, engineering, technology, art and humanities and allows you to live in the country even without a job.

If you are a leader or a potential leader in either academia, research, arts and culture or digital technology and at least 18 years old, you can apply for a Global Talent visa to work in the U.K.

Since March 2021, applicants who have received one of the identified prestigious prizes are eligible to apply for a Global Talent visa without obtaining an endorsement. These prizes have been identified by the Global Talent endorsing bodies as demonstrating exceptional talent and are listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes of the Immigration Rules.

The prize There are no stipulations as to when you must have received the prize. You could rely on a prize that is recent or was awarded several years ago, provided your award has not since been withdrawn.

Applying for a Global Talent visa

It is possible to apply for your visa before securing endorsement, however, should your endorsement not be approved, your visa application will also be refused.

If you have successfully been endorsed, you will receive an email from the Home Office with a copy of the endorsement letter, at which point you have three months to make your visa application.

If your application is refused, you may be able to request an endorsement review.

Global Talent visa applications can be made from either within the U.K. or outside.

If you are outside the U.K., you can apply for ‘entry clearance’ at the nearest visa appointment centre in your country of residence.

If you are in the U.K., you can apply online to switch to the Global Talent visa if you currently hold lawful status under any of the following visa categories — Start Up, Innovator, Tier 1, Skilled Worker, Tier 2, Tier 5, Student, Tier 4 with the exception of Short-Term Student Visa.

Global Talent visa requirements

The endorsement application has to satisfy the validity requirements. This includes ensuring you complete the correct application form(s), pay the correct endorsement fee and endorsement must have been secured from the relevant body in the relevant professional field.

To be granted a Global Talent visa, you have to meet the suitability requirements, and not be liable for refusal by being in breach of immigration laws or on immigration bail.

You will also have to show you meet the eligibility requirements, i.e. you will either already be internationally recognised at the highest level as a leader in your particular field or have already demonstrated exceptional promise and are likely to become leaders in their particular field.

You also have to prove you have attained the required 70 points.

Global Talent visa application

You will be awarded 70 points if you are not relying on an endorsement as you have been awarded a prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes. OR

You must have been issued with an endorsement letter by an endorsing body AND at the time when making the application your endorsement is not older than 3 months AND your endorsement was not withdrawn by the endorsing body.

Global Talent visa extension application

You will be awarded 70 points if you have met the earned money requirement and if you were granted your initial application using an endorsement, has not had your endorsement withdrawn by the endorsing body. OR If you are relying on a prize and not endorsement, your prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes must not have been withdrawn.

Supporting documents

As part of your visa application to the Home Office, you will need to submit your current passport or other valid travel documentation, your endorsement letter and if applicable the result of your tuberculosis test.

Application fee

It costs £623 to apply for the Global Talent visa from either overseas or in the U.K.

Applicants applying based on endorsement will pay this in two parts: £456 when applying for endorsement, and £167 when applying to the Home Office for the visa.

Applicants applying based on a prestigious award have to pay the full £623 with their visa application.

Dependant applications cost £623 each.

Applications will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, of £624 per year for adults, and £470 per year for children. The full amount needs to be paid when applying.

Global Talent visa processing times

The endorsement stage typically takes a month, although digital technology applicants may be able to apply to have their endorsement fast-tracked.Visa processing times vary depending on where you are applying from.

If you are applying from outside the U.K., processing currently takes 3 months or more, while applications from within the U.K. usually take 3 months.

Duration of the Global Talent visa

Further flexibility is available to applicants regarding the duration of their grant of leave. Global Talent applicants can choose to apply for leave in whole year increments of up to five years. The benefit to applicants is that they will have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge only for the period of leave they require, e.g. three years as opposed to five years.

Extending the Global Talent visa

It is possible to apply to extend your visa if you retain your endorsement. If your endorsement has been withdrawn, you will be required to make a completely new application.

This is the third of four articles on how to apply for a global talent visa.