Global Talent is the UK Immigration category which has replaced Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1) on 20 February 2020 with the same objective of inviting promising individuals who wish to work or run a business in the area of expertise in the UK. The individual can use the Global Talent Visa if he or she is a leader or potential leader in the qualifying field of arts and culture, academia or research, and digital technology. However, the candidate must get an endorsement from the relevant UK endorsement body. The UK endorsement bodies are The Royal Academy of Engineering-For Engineering, The Royal Society-For Science and Medicine, The British Academy-For Humanities, Tech Nation- for Digital Technology, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – For Research applicants, and Arts Council England-For Arts and Culture.
There are several advantages of Global Talent Visa over Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1) which include flexibility to change roles and employ companies without getting notified to the Home Office, establish a spin-out company, enter self-employment, and earn additional income which may or may not related to the qualifying field in which the applicant was earlier endorsed.
Process of obtaining Global Talent Visa
There are two processes involved in the Global Talent Visa application process:
Stage 1: Application for Endorsement
In this stage, the endorsing body assesses skills, achievements, and advices the Home Office whether the candidate can be endorsed. This stage of endorsement can take up as much as 8 weeks. After getting a successful endorsement from the endorsing body, the candidate can proceed to apply for Visa.
Stage 2: Application for Visa
The endorsing Body is not involved in Stage 2. In this stage, the Home Office considers immigration aspects. The processing time of this stage can take as much as 3 weeks.
Documents checklist during Endorsement
For instance, if the candidate is applying for endorsement from Tech Nation, he or she needs to provide the following documents such as:
- Tech Nation Application Form with a personal statement that validates the candidate’s contribution that he or she will make to the advancement of the UK Digital Technology Sector.
- Curriculum Vitae that clearly defines the candidate’s career as well as relevant publication history.
- Three letters of recommendations validated by three different senior members of different establishments.
- Up to 10 pieces of evidence with respect to key and qualifying criteria.
Documents to be provided during the Visa application
The candidates need to provide the following documents when applying for a visa
- Valid Travel Identification
- A current passport with a blank page for the visa.
- Candidates Tuberculosis Test Results
- The certified translation which includes passports, letters from a government department, credit card statement, council tax bills, or letters from renowned doctors signed by chartered accountant or solicitor.
Switch to Global Talent Visa
Those candidates who are already in the UK under Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 5 (Temporary Worker-Government Authorised Exchange), a Start-up Visa, and an Innovator Visa, can switch to Global Talent Visa. The candidate can apply for a maximum of 5 years. If the candidate is from another category, he or she must leave the UK and make an application of Global Talent Visa from abroad.
Global Talent Visa Extension
The candidate can apply for the Global Talent Visa Extension if the endorsing body continues to endorse and money earned in the area of expertise during the last period of leave to remain in the UK. However, the candidate must apply before the current visa actually expires. Those candidates who are holding Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) can extend under the category of Global Talent.
Fees
The visa application of Global Talent Visa costs £152, or £97 if the candidate is from North Macedonia or Turkey. The candidate can include dependents on the same application form. He or she must pay an additional cost of £608 for each dependent. Also, note that the candidate must pay a health surcharge as a considerable part of the Global Talent Visa application.
Dependents
Global Talent guidance defines dependents to be candidate’s partner, child under 18, or child above 18 if they are already in the UK as dependents.
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