UK Talent Visa
UK Talent (Global Talent) Visa Application Process
The UK talent visa, also known as the Global talent visa, is the UK’s new program to attract exceptional talent to the country and has replaced the UK exceptional talent visa since 20 February 2020.
With the UK talent visa; those who are leaders or potential leaders in the fields of academic and research, arts and culture and digital technology can work in the UK for up to 5 years without a job offer or a sponsor. UK talent visa holders can change jobs without notifying the immigration authorities and can renew their visas as many times as desired.
rsscanadaimmigration.com is an accredited organization that provides up-to-date expert support to UK talent visa applicants within the framework of the UK’s new visa system as of 2025.
Who is Granted the UK Global Talent Visa?
The UK global talent visa is available to people who want to work in the UK in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology, arts and culture. Applicants must be leaders or have leadership potential in their field, as determined by Home Office approved organisations, and must be at least 18 years old.
What are the disciplines that can qualify for a UK Talent Visa?
The disciplines that can be taken with the UK talent visa are shown in the table below.
| Academia and Research | Culture and Art | Digital Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Science | Art | Senior positions in technology companies |
| Medicine | Dance | Innovative digital technology areas |
| Humanities | Literature | Digital technology training |
| Engineering | Theatre | |
| Visual Arts | ||
| Architecture | ||
| Fashion design | ||
| Film and television |
What are the Ways to Get Global Talent Approval from UK?
Global talent approval from the UK is defined as approval received from one of the organizations determined by the UK Home Office, which is required for obtaining a visa.
The 4 application routes for UK global talent approval are listed below.
- Academic and research appointment: Those accepted into a suitable position as a researcher or leader within a programme or project, either individually or in a team, at an approved UK higher education institution or research institute are required to make an appointment for rapid confirmation.
- Individual scholarships: Fast-track approval is one of 4 application routes for individuals awarded a list of individual scholarships approved by the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society.
- Approved funders: Researchers and academics who receive a grant from a funder approved by the UK Research and Innovation Agency and whose name and job title are listed can receive fast-track approval.
- Peer review: Applicants for peer review by the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering or the British Academy are subject to standard approval.
What are the UK Global Talent Approval Bodies?
The UK global talent approval bodies are the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society or the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Applications for science, engineering, medicine, social sciences, humanities or other academic and research fields are referred to the Home Office by the relevant approval bodies based on the evidence provided.
Applications for digital technology, arts and culture fields outside of academic fields are forwarded to Arts Council England or Tech Nation for approval.
Who is Exempt from the UK Global Talent Endorsement Requirement?
The UK global talent endorsement requirement is exempted from those who have won a distinguished award in their field. To be exempt from the endorsement requirement, you must have won a distinguished award such as the Royal Gold Medal for architecture, the Turing Award for digital technology, a lifetime achievement award for the arts or the Nobel Prize for science.
How to Get a UK Global Talent Visa?
The steps to follow to obtain a UK talent visa are listed below.
- Global talent approval application: The global talent approval application form must be completed and the required documents submitted; the online application fee must also be paid.
- Online UK visa application: The visa application form must be filled out online, the visa application fee must be paid and an appointment must be made for the visa from the directed page. The necessary documents for the visa must be prepared by the appointment date.
- Visa appointment: The required documents must be submitted to the visa officer on the visa appointment day.
- Biometric procedures: Biometric procedures such as fingerprints and photographs must be completed on the appointment day.
The UK talent visa process is different from other visa processes. For a talent visa, it is first necessary to get approval from the organizations that approve global talent, and then the visa process can be started.
The application fee for the UK global talent visa is paid in 2 parts. The first part of the fee is paid when applying for approval, while the second part is paid during the UK visa online application process .
For UK global talent visa applications made with the consultancy of rsscanadaimmigration.com, firstly the eligibility conditions and documents of the persons are examined by expert consultants, and for the evaluations that are concluded positively, the application process is initiated with the appointment and document uploading procedures.
What are the Required Documents for the UK Talent Visa?
The documents required for the UK talent visa are listed below.
- Passport: You must have a passport that is valid for 6 months after your return from travel, has been issued for no more than 10 years and has at least 1 blank page.
- UK Global Talent approval letter: A letter of approval from an approval body accepted by the UK Home Office is required, taken within the last 3 months.
- UK visa fee: The visa fee must be paid during the online visa application. In addition, the immigration surcharge must be paid.
The documents listed above are the standard documents required for a UK talent visa and in the global talent approval stage, which is the step before the visa application, documents such as employment documents and reference letters may be requested depending on the requirements of the accrediting bodies such as the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the British Academy and the applicant’s field. Any document not written in Welsh or English must be translated by a sworn translation.
How Much Is the UK Global Talent Visa Application Fee?
The UK global talent visa application fee is 623 British pounds and if an approval-based application is made, the payment is made in 2 parts.
When applying for approval, a fee of £456 is required, and when applying for a visa, a fee of £167 is required.
If applying on an award, the full £623 fee is paid when the visa application is made. If a child or partner is included in the application, a further £623 fee is required for each. Healthcare costs must also be paid as part of the application, and are usually £624 per year for each applicant.
The cost of a UK talent visa for 2024 is 3,210 euros per person for all expenses including application fee, immigration health surcharge, checking of required documents, sworn translation, online document upload and consultancy fee.
How Long Does It Take to Get a UK Talent Visa?
The processing time for UK talent visa applications is usually 28 days. The visa assessment process can take up to 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK, and up to 8 weeks if applying from within the UK.
Applicants in the field of digital technology can apply to have their approval applications fast-tracked under certain conditions.
How Many Years Does the UK Global Talent Visa Last?
The UK global talent visa is granted for up to 5 years at a time. There is no specific time that applicants must stay in the UK, however, once the visa expires it must be renewed. Each visa can be extended for a period of 1 to 5 years, and the length of time that the person wishes to extend is up to the individual.
The UK talent visa is a unique visa type, with the option to renew multiple times, granting an initial visa for up to 5 years and allowing you to choose the length of the visa.
How to Apply for a UK Talent Visa Extension?
Applications for a UK talent visa extension can be made on the condition that the approval of the body that approved the global talent visa is not withdrawn or the award won is not taken back.
The application for an extension must be made before the current visa expires. To re-extend a skills visa, the applicant must provide a pay slip showing that they are still earning money from their specialised skill in the UK. The application fee for a skills visa extension is £623.
When to Get Permanent Residence Permit with UK Global Talent Visa?
With the UK global talent visa, permanent residence permit can be obtained after 3 or 5 years, depending on how the application is made and in which field you work.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most frequently asked questions to our center about UK talent visa procedures are listed below with their answers.
Do I Need a Job Offer from the UK for a UK Talent Visa?
No, unlike the UK skilled worker visa, the talent visa is an unsponsored immigration category that allows the holder to change jobs, set up their own business, set up a spin-out company or earn money from other sources without needing permission from the Home Office.
How Much Money Should You Have in Your Account for a UK Global Talent Visa?
Applicants for the UK global talent visa do not need to show financial resources in their accounts.
Is English Proficiency Required for the UK Global Talent Visa?
No, English proficiency is not a requirement for a global talent visa. Individual applicants are not required to meet the English language requirement to extend or obtain a global talent visa. English language requirements must be met when applying for UK indefinite leave to remain.
Can Family Members Go to the UK with a UK Talent Visa?
Yes, family members can travel to the UK with a UK talent visa. According to immigration practices, spouses and legal partners, children under the age of 18, and children over the age of 18 who are dependents in the UK can be included in the talent visa application.
Can I Start a Business in the UK with a UK Global Talent Visa?
Yes, a UK global talent visa allows you to set up a business in the UK. The global talent visa allows those who want to become a shareholder and director and set up their own company.
It is possible for people who come to the UK with a UK global talent visa to subsequently establish a company in the UK without obtaining any permission from the Home Office .
What are the other types of visas that allow you to work in the UK?
Other types of visas that allow you to work in the UK are listed below.
- UK skilled worker visa
- UK startup visa
- UK innovator visa
- UK new graduate visa
- UK sole representative visa
With the start of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union in 2019, some changes have been made to UK visa and immigration practices. Previously known as Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 5, UK visas for business and investment purposes have been defined as new visa types, with updates made to application requirements, eligibility criteria and procedures.