Global Talent Visa: How Hard is it to Apply?
Are you an exceptionally talented American wishing to work without restrictions in the UK? If so, you may be eligible to apply for the Global Talent visa. You will need the help of a UK Immigration lawyer in the US.
The Global Talent visa is the UK’s way of attracting talented individuals to work in the country. It allows world leaders and emerging world leaders in the field of academia/research, arts and culture or digital technology to apply for a visa, independently of any work sponsorship or business idea.
How hard is it to apply for the Global Talent visa? The first step for any Global Talent visa applicant is to make an endorsement application to an approved endorsing body in your relevant field. This is the most difficult part of the process which takes a significant amount of time and work. Once the endorsement is obtained, you will have three months to apply for your UK visa. Eversage Associates has extensive experience with these visas and can help you with both stages of the process.
Global Talent Visa Application Guide
Unlike the Skilled Worker visa or other visa types, the Global Talent visa offers flexibility enabling you to work, change employers, or be self-employed in the UK, without further authorization or additional visa applications. Such advantages make the Global Talent visa highly sought after.
Stage 1 - Obtaining Endorsement
The Global Talent visa is open for both established talent and persons that show potential in their field and the first step is usually to obtain an endorsement from the relevant endorsing body in your field (unless you have a so-called Prestigious Prize):
• The British Academy for humanities or social sciences endorsements
• The Royal Academy of Engineering for an engineering endorsement.
• Arts Council England for an arts and culture endorsement.
• Tech Nation for a digital technology endorsement.
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) for applicants from all research fields who have an eligible job offer.
• Royal Society for natural and medical science endorsements.
Each endorsing body has a unique endorsement criterion for assessing individual applications.
Stage 2 - Applying for a Global Talent visa
After successful endorsement, you have three months to make your visa application. The application process is different depending on whether you are:
• Outside the UK and seeking to move there
• Extending your current visa
• Switching from a different visa
If you are eligible for the Global Talent visa, you can bring your immediate family with you to the UK. You can complete the application process online and schedule a date to submit your biometrics. Consider applying for your family at the same time as your application to avoid delays.
How Much is the Application Fee?
Applying for a Global Talent visa costs a total of £608 (£456 for the endorsement application and £152 for the visa). You will incur extra fees for each dependent family member.
There is also an additional cost for the Immigration Health Surcharge to be paid when applying. It costs £624 for adults and £470 for children, payable for each year of the visa requested.
How Long Will the Application Take?
For the endorsement stage, each body has different processing times but generally most will decide your application in 4-12 weeks (unless the endorsement is fast-tracked).
The visa application processing times depend on where you are applying from. Applicants outside the UK enjoy a faster turnaround of 3–4 weeks. Applications within the UK take longer, around 8–10 weeks. However, priority service may also be available.
How Long Does the Visa Last?
The Global Talent visa lasts anywhere from one year to five years. You can choose to apply for an extension before the Global Talent visa expires, provided your endorsement is intact. If the endorsing organization withdraws its endorsement, you must make a fresh application.
After three to five years (depending on the endorsement) while holding the Global Talent visa, one can apply for permanent settlement in the UK.
Hire a UK Immigration Lawyer in the US
Applying for the Global Talent visa involves many requirements and can be complicated. Working with an expert in the field will simplify the process for you. Hire a UK immigration lawyer in the US to guide you through the process.
Eversage Associates is your trusted UK immigration lawyer in the US, ready to help with your visa application. We take complete ownership of the immigration process to ensure you don’t have to worry. Work with us to create a custom immigration strategy that suits your needs.