The UK Global Talent visa route is open to talented and promising individuals who are active researchers in academic, industry or government research institutions, in a range of disciplines in the areas of science, engineering, humanities, social science and medicine.  

Applicants will be leaders in their field, or have the potential to be leaders, as determined by the Royal Society (for natural and medical science applications), the Royal Academy of Engineering (for engineering applications), the British Academy (for humanities and social science applications) or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) (for science and research applications). 

There is no cap on the number of applicants that can be endorsed in the Science, Engineering, Humanities and Medicine sub-category of the Global Talent route.  

UK Global Talent Visa Science, Engineering, Humanities, Social Science and Medicine Requirements

In order to qualify for a UK Global Talent visa in the field of Science, Engineering, Humanities, Social Science and Medicine, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

• You are aged 18 or over;
• You have been issued with an endorsement letter by the Royal Society (for natural and medical science applications), the Royal Academy of Engineering (for engineering applications), the British Academy (for humanities and social science applications) or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) (for science and research applications) or have been awarded a prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes;
• Your application does not fall under the general grounds for refusal;
• You have provided a valid TB certificate, if required.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances.  You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

Requirements for Endorsement by the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the British Academy and UK Research and Innovation

The criteria you will need to meet for endorsement depend on whether you are applying on the basis of Fast Track or Full Peer Review.

Fast Track Endorsement Criteria 

In order to satisfy the fast track endorsement criteria, you will need to satisfy at least one of the following three criteria:

Peer-reviewed research fellowship or award: You hold, or have held within the 5 years before the date of application, a peer-reviewed research fellowship or award named on the list published by the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering or the British Academy; or

Academic or research position: You have been appointed to an eligible academic or research position at an approved UK Higher Education Institution or research institute named on the list published by the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering or the British Academy; or

Hosted or employed in a UK research organisation: You will be hosted or employed in a UK research organisation named on the UKRI published list and will provide critical contributions to work supported by a substantial research grant or award from an endorsed funder named on the list published by UKRI.

In order to qualify for endorsement on the basis that you will be hosted or employed in a UK research organisation named on the UKRI published list you must either:

1. Direct independently, or under the supervision of a Principal Investigator, a unique research or innovation project and have a PhD qualification or equivalent research experience (including industrial or clinical research), actively participate in a relevant field in a University, research institute or industry and have your name or post listed on the grant or award as the Principal or co-investigator, Researcher Co-investigator, Post-doctoral researcher or Research Assistant, or an equivalent position acceptable to UKRI; or
2. Make critical contributions to research by providing core technical or domain excellence or in developing new technologies and methodologies and have a UK bachelor’s degree or equivalent overseas research degree or equivalent research experience (including industrial or clinical research) and have research experience within a University, Research Institute or Industry.

Full Peer Review Endorsement Criteria

Full peer review applications are considered by either The Royal Society, The Royal Academy of Engineering or The British Academy. UKRI do not consider full peer review applications.

In order to be endorsed on the basis of “Exceptional Talent” under full peer review you will need to satisfy the endorsing body that you have been recognised as an exceptional talent in the field of science, engineering, humanities, social science or medicine and are an active researcher in a relevant field, typically within a university, research institute or within industry.  You will also have PhD equivalent research experience (including industrial or clinical research).

In order to be endorsed on the basis of “Exceptional Promise” under full peer review you will need to satisfy the endorsing body that you have been recognised as having exceptional promise in the field of science, engineering, humanities, social science or medicine and be an active researcher in a relevant field, typically within a university, research institute or within industry.  You will also need to have a PhD or equivalent research experience (including industrial or clinical research) and be at an early stage in your career.  

• Global Talent Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
• Changes to the Global Talent Route in October 2021
• Global Talent & Exceptional Talent Dependants

Evidence Required for Endorsement by the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the British Academy and UK Research and Innovation

Fast Track Endorsement Criteria 

Peer-reviewed research fellowship or award

If applying on the fast track on the basis of having received a peer-reviewed research fellowship or award, you must provide written confirmation from an awarding body named on the list published by the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering or the British Academy that you hold, or have held in the last 5 years, an eligible peer reviewed fellowship or award.

Academic or research position

If applying on the fast track on the basis that you have been appointed to an eligible academic or research position at an approved UK Higher Education Institution or research institute named on the list published by the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering or the British Academy you will need to provide a job description setting out the duties and responsibilities of the position and a statement of guarantee from the Director of Human Resources, or equivalent, which confirms that:

• The job was advertised and an open competition was held, or where it was not, an explanation as to why not;
• You have accepted the job offer;
• The job title and department in which you will be based;
• You have responsibility for academic, research or innovation leadership and development; or will direct or lead an individual or team research project or programme of work; or will direct or lead an individual or team innovation project or programme of work;
• At least two references were received;
• At least three academic, research or innovation representatives were on the interview panel(s); and
• At least one expert in your field was on the interview panel(s), or at least one relevant expert, independent of the employing institution, was consulted before the job offer was made.

Hosted or employed in a UK research organisation

If applying on the fast track on the basis that you will be hosted or employed in a UK research organisation named on the UKRI published list you must provide a declaration from the Director of Human Resources, or equivalent at the UKRI-approved UK research organisation which confirms all the following:

• You have accepted the job offer or hosting agreement;
• The job title and department in which you will be based;
• That there is at least one year remaining on your employment contract or hosting agreement;
• That you will provide critical contributions to work supported by a substantial research grant or award from an endorsed funder;
• That you are essential to the execution of the grant or award;
• That at least 50% of your time will be spent working on the grant or award by the endorsed funder (Principal investigators and co-investigators can aggregate time spent on multiple eligible awards or grants to demonstrate this requirement);
• That a robust recruitment process has been completed where you were not named on the grant application.

Additionally, if applying on the fast track on the basis that you will be hosted or employed in a UK research organisation named on the UKRI published list you must show that the grant or award from an endorsed funder is worth at least £30,000, covers a minimum of two years; and is either funded by a one-off grant or award that has been won in open competition or attributed to a large institutional, renewable award that is subject to periodic peer review, by either providing a link to the grant or award on a UKRI-approved database the details on which will be checked by UKRI against the above requirements or by providing written confirmation of the grant or award from the endorsed funder that the above requirements are met.

Full Peer Review

If applying for endorsement on the basis of full peer view you will need to provide a CV which sets out your career and publication history, together with a letter of personal recommendation from an eminent person resident in the UK supporting your Global Talent application which includes all of the following: (i) how the author knows you;  (ii) your achievements in the relevant field; (iii) how the author considers you shows exceptional talent or promise; and (iv) the contribution you would be expected to make to UK research and innovation excellence.

If evidencing exceptional talent, you will need to provide a letter from an additional eminent person in your field, which include all of the following:

• a statement confirming that the author is a senior member of a reputable UK organisation concerned with research or innovation in your field; and
• how the author considers your work to show exceptional talent; and
• the contribution you would be expected to make to UK research or innovation excellence and wider society; and
• a statement confirming that the author’s assessment is provided on the basis of their capacity as an objective expert in their field and is an objective assessment of your reputation in the field, notwithstanding any personal knowledge they may have of you or any direct involvement they may have (or previously have had) in your work.

UK Global Talent Visa Application Following Endorsement

Once you have your endorsement, you will have a period of three months from the date of the endorsement letter to make your application to enter or remain in the UK in the Global Talent category.

An application to switch into the Global Talent route may be made from within the UK provided you do not currently have, or were not last granted, permission to stay as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic worker in a private household or outside the Immigration Rules.

If you hold, or were last granted, leave in any of the above categories then you will be required to leave the UK and submit your application for a Global Talent visa from your home country.

In addition to showing that you have been endorsed, the Home Office will assess your character and immigration history to ensure that you do not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.

There is no maintenance or English language requirement in the UK Global Talent visa category.

Leave will be granted for the period that you request (in full year periods) up to five years. The amount of time that you request makes no difference to the application but will affect the amount that you need to pay for the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Science, Engineering, Humanities, Social Science and Medicine Prestigious Prizes Route

If you have won a qualifying prestigious award, you will be able to fast-track the endorsement application and instead proceed directly to making a single visa application.

The list of prestigious prizes is set out in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes.  This list is kept under review and updated from time-to-time.

How Our Immigration solicitors Can Help Your UK Global Talent Visa Application

Our immigration solicitors have a wide range of experience assisting researchers in academic, industry or government research institutions to work in the UK.  Our solicitors are experts in the immigration options for individuals in Science, Engineering, Humanities, Social Science and Medicine and will guide you through the complex Home Office rules and policies.

We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting our clients’ needs. We are a highly driven team, dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice to clients as part of a professional and friendly service.