Immigration Lawyers Toolbox Magazine
WHAT ARE THE KEY UK VISA ROUTES FOR GLOBAL TALENT? by VANESSA GANGUIN, Esq.
There are some similarities to the US O-1 and EB-1A visas for talent, however, Global Talent does not cover sports or business figures. Those applicants will have to use the other routes detailed below.
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Vanessa Ganguin, Esq.
Vanessa@VanessaGanguin.com
K immigration was curtailed somewhat after leaving the European Union, which ended free movement across Europe, at the same time as the eruption of a global pandemic. So it is unsurprising that the UK government has been keen to stress its new immigration system will, as the Prime Minister promised: “welcome the best and brightest from around the world.”
The new flagship immigration program is the Global Talent visa, replacing the similar but more limited Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa. This category is the greatest accolade our immigration system can bestow on those who excel in their fields.
There are no caps on Global Talent visas, and this prestigious route offers a path to citizenship without any need for a job offer for those at the top of their game. For those that do not meet the exceptionally high bar for Global Talent visa, Sponsorship is available for other skilled immigrants that have an offer of employment or engagement from a UK entity with a Creative, Sports or Skilled Worker sponsor licence. Global Talent Visa
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The Global Talent visa is a useful immigration path for people recognised in academia or research, arts and culture or digital technology to work in those fields in the UK without having to be sponsored by an employer or having a job offer.
Issue No . 3
Global Talent visas are a route to permanent residence (after five years for those showing exceptional promise, three for exceptional talent) and people can generally apply for citizenship a year after they gain indefinite leave to remain.
Applicants must be over 18 and show either demonstrable talent in their field, or promise, as evidenced by endorsement by recognised bodies, or winning awards of global note. An application, unless you are lucky enough to have won one of the honours on a small list of ‘prestigious prizes’ (such as an Academy Award for a leading role, or a Turing Award or Nobel prize in science), involves applying to one of the recognised endorsing bodies, as well as a subsequent application for entry clearance or permission to stay. Endorsements can take up to eight weeks although it is usually faster. Visa applications can also be made for partners and children under the scheme and there are more costly fast track options for the visa decision.