Applicants who deem that they may be eligible for the Global Talent route would initially need

to be endorsed by their relevant endorsing bodies, regulated in accordance with their area of expertise or promise of expertise. Applicants who have received any of the Home Office’s eligible prize lists, will be exempt from the endorsement requirements and can proceed with applying for the visa with no delay. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS – VISA APPLICATION

Applicants can be eligible in two primary ways for the global talent visa. The first where they are already established as leaders in their profession, better known as ‘leaders’. The second being that they are expected to become leaders in their field, better known as ‘exceptional promise.’

In the first stage of applying via the Global Talent route, Applicants would need to be endorsed by one of the 6 Home Office-approved endorsing bodies prior to making their visa application. These include the Arts Council England, The Royal Society, The British Academy, The Royal Academy, The UK Research and Innovation.  Applicant are encouraged to decide which endorsing body they are to apply under as it will be a portrayal of the particular skillset and field that is relevant to your exceptional leadership or promise and will need to demonstrate an ability to meet the pre-requisites to receiving endorsement. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS – ENDORSEMENT:

In the second stage of the application, subject to the applicants receiving endorsement, applicants can thereafter apply for their visa, whereby the relevant endorsing body will be responsible for assessing your skills and compatibility with the ‘Code of Practice for Endorsing Bodies.’ 

ultimately however, up to the Home Office to decide on the applicant’s matter, therefore
applications for endorsement and visa thereafter, will need to be presented to
the Home Office.

Applicant’s stage-2 visa application will need to be submitted within three months of
receiving the approved endorsement letter. It must be noted that although in
initial stages, submissions are made to the relevant endorsing bodies, upon
receiving endorsement, the ultimate immigration and visa decision under the
Global Talent Route will lay with the Home Office. 

COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GLOBAL TALENT APPLICATION:

The cost of the Global Talent visa is £608, divisible into two parts. In the first stage of applying, namely the Stage 1 Endorsement application, applicants will be required to make a payment of £456 in Home Office fees. Thereafter upon successful endorsement, applicants will be required to make a payment of £152. 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:

Applicants will be required to provide documents in support of their endorsement and
application which have stringent requirements in order to be successfully considered for endorsement. The evidential requirement differs in accordance to the applicant’s chosen field and whether they are applying on the basis of Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise. For example, for applicants applying to the Arts and Culture Council, they will be required to provide 3 letters of recommendation, 1 of which must be from a UK based organizations who are known to be experts in their field and the other 2 also being experts in their field but without the requirement of being a UK based organization. The applicants
under the Arts and Culture Council will also be required to provide additional evidential requirements such as receiving media recognition by the media for their work as an individual or as a member of a group, evidence of being shortlisted or nominated for an award in their field and evidence of well-accredited exhibitions demonstrating their expertise.