The Best in Britain – Global Talent Visa

If you are the best in research and science, have notable achievements in your career and are searching for a new challenge then the new Global Talent visa may be of interest to you.

We have all heard about the Prime Minister’s obsession with the Australian-style points-based system and it is no surprise that he was inspired by Australia’s Global Talent program when he recently announced the Global Talent visa. The Global Talent visa is an extension of the current Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa. However, it is far niche as it focuses on STEM subjects and provides a fast-track process for individuals in these sectors. The STEM sectors are science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The visa will be granted for a period of 3 years and following this the applicant may be able to apply for settlement. The benefit of this visa is that applicants do not need to secure a job offer before coming to the UK and there is no minimum salary threshold under this category. Further to this, dependants can join the applicant to the UK.

Too similar to the Exceptional Talent visa?

There are certain differences between the current Scheme and the new Global Talent Scheme. The Global Talent visa Scheme will not be capped, which differs from the current Exceptional Talent Scheme which has a cap of 2,000 visas annually. Although, the reality is such that the cap has never been reached due to the restrictive endorsement criteria.

More importantly, the new visa will extend the number of UK research institutions and universities that can endorse candidates, which essentially means that some candidates will receive an automatic endorsement once they meet certain criteria.

The Home Office will also change its current criteria for the exceptional promise route by removing the criteria to have been awarded, hold, or have held a prestigious UK-based Research fellowship or an international fellowship (or an advanced research post of equivalent standing) in the previous five years. This will be a relief for many, who have struggled to meet this stringent criterion.

What about the Exceptional Talent visa?

The new visa is likely to be implemented this year. Yet there is not enough information about the new Global Talent visa, and we are eagerly waiting for guidance. Nonetheless, it would be interesting to see whether both visas will run in parallel or whether the Global Talent visa will ultimately replace the Exceptional Talent visa.