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Draft:Global Talent visa (UK)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Global Talent visa is a UK immigration route designed for individuals who are leaders or potential leaders in the fields of academia and research, arts and culture, or digital technology. Introduced in February 2020, it replaced the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa with the aim of making the application process smoother, faster, and more attractive for exceptionally talented individuals to live and work in the UK.

Overview

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The Global Talent visa allows successful applicants to live and work in the UK for up to five years, with the possibility of indefinite leave to remain after three or five years, depending on the applicant's field and circumstances. Unlike other visas, it offers significant flexibility, enabling holders to change jobs, work for multiple employers, undertake freelance or contractual work, and engage in roles that may not meet the minimum wage requirements of other visa categories.

Eligibility

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Applicants must demonstrate leadership or potential leadership in one of the following fields:

Additionally, applicants must be at least 18 years old. Most applicants need to obtain an endorsement from a recognized endorsing body relevant to their field. Alternatively, individuals who have won an eligible award can apply without an endorsement.

Endorsement

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Before applying for the visa, candidates typically need an endorsement to prove their status as a leader or potential leader. Endorsing bodies include:

A total of 17,012 endorsement applications were received between April 2020 and April 2023, with 12,243 visas granted during this period.

Application Process

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Applicants must apply online, and the process varies depending on whether they are applying from inside or outside the UK, extending their visa, or switching from a different visa category.

Documents Required

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  • Valid passport or other identification documents
  • Tuberculosis test results (if applicable)
  • Written permission for those who received awards or scholarships to study in the UK within the last year
  • Certified translations for documents not in English or Welsh
  • Blank passport page for the visa (for non-biometric passports)

Fees

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  • Application fee: £716
 * £524 when applying for endorsement
 * £192 when applying for the visa itself
  • Healthcare surcharge: £1,035 per year for each applicant

Dependents (partners and children) must pay the same application fee and healthcare surcharge. Biometric information must be provided at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point.

Processing Time

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  • Outside the UK: Decisions typically within 3 weeks
  • Inside the UK: Decisions typically within 8 weeks

Applicants may pay for faster processing.

Dependents

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Applicants can include their partners and children as dependents. Dependents must demonstrate their relationship to the main applicant and meet specific eligibility criteria. They can work (except as sportspersons or coaches), study, and travel in and out of the UK but cannot access most public funds or the State Pension.

Benefits

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  • Flexibility to work in multiple roles and sectors without additional sponsorship
  • Ability to undertake self-employed, freelance, and contractual work
  • Opportunity to settle permanently in the UK after meeting residency requirements
  • No cap on the number of eligible visas issued

Statistics

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According to the Global Talent visa Evaluation Wave 2 Report, between April 2020 and April 2023:

  • 17,012 endorsement applications were received
  • 12,243 visas were granted
  • The majority of applicants were from academia and research (67%), followed by business and commerce (14%) and creative industries (11%)
  • 81% of visa holders were influenced by the Global Talent visa in their decision to move to the UK
  • 90% of visa holders were satisfied with the application process

Evaluation

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A study commissioned by the Home Office and conducted by Ipsos assessed the effectiveness of the Global Talent visa. Key findings include:

  • The visa has significantly influenced the decision of talented individuals to work and live in the UK, with 81% noting its impact.
  • Flexibility and the opportunity to settle in the UK were the most attractive aspects.
  • High levels of satisfaction with the application process, though some areas for improvement were identified, such as providing more guidance and faster processing times.
  • Visa holders contribute positively to the UK economy and various sectors, particularly in research and technology.

See also

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References

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