Eligibility Quiz
Are you 18 years or older?
Application Process
The Global Talent visa is a two-stage process. First, you must be "endorsed" by a UK body that verifies your expertise. Once you have that endorsement, you apply for the visa itself. If you have won a major award from the official Prestigious Prizes list, you can skip Stage 1 and apply for the visa immediately.
Stage 1: Endorsement
You must apply for endorsement through the official UK Government portal. The Home Office will collect your fee and then forward your evidence to the relevant Endorsing Body (the organization that evaluates your skills).
- Identify your Endorsing Body:
- Science and Research: The Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, British Academy, or UKRI.
- Arts and Culture: Arts Council England (including film, fashion, and architecture).
- Digital Technology: Tech Nation.
- Prepare your evidence: You generally need a CV (maximum 3 pages), three letters of recommendation from recognized experts or organizations, and up to 10 pieces of supporting evidence (such as media coverage, proof of high salary, or patents).
- Submit the online application: Pay the endorsement fee and upload your documents.
- Wait for the decision: The body will review your application to determine if you are a leader (Exceptional Talent) or a potential leader (Exceptional Promise).
Stage 2: Visa Application
Once you receive your endorsement letter via email, you have 3 months to submit your visa application.
- Apply Online: Use the Global Talent visa portal to start the immigration stage.
- Choose your duration: You can request a visa for any length of time between 1 and 5 years.
- Verify your identity:
- Via App: If you have a biometric passport from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, you can use the "UK Immigration: ID Check" smartphone app.
- In-Person: If you cannot use the app, you must book an appointment at a visa application centre (VFS Global or TLScontact if outside the UK; UKVCAS if inside the UK) to provide your fingerprints and a photo.
- Submit Health Documents: If you are applying from a country on the tuberculosis (TB) test list, you must upload a valid TB certificate.
Fees
The costs are split between the endorsement stage and the visa stage. You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which grants you access to the UK's National Health Service.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stage 1: Endorsement Fee | £524 |
| Stage 2: Visa Application Fee | £192 |
| Total Fee (if applying with endorsement) | £716 |
| Total Fee (if you have a Prestigious Prize) | £716 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £1,035 per year |
| Dependant Application Fee | £716 per person |
Total Estimate: For a single applicant requesting a 5-year visa, the total cost is approximately £5,891 (£716 fees + £5,175 IHS).
Note: This does not include costs for document translation, TB testing, or priority processing services at visa centers.
Processing Time
Processing times vary depending on whether you are applying from within the UK or from abroad.
- Stage 1 (Endorsement): Usually takes 4 to 8 weeks. Fast-track routes (such as the UKRI "Endorsed Funder" route) can take as little as 1 to 2 weeks.
- Stage 2 (Visa) - Outside the UK: Standard processing is 3 weeks.
- Stage 2 (Visa) - Inside the UK: Standard processing is 8 weeks.
Document Validity:
- Your Endorsement Letter is valid for 3 months. You must apply for your visa before it expires.
- Your TB Test Certificate (if required) is typically valid for 6 months.
- Your Passport must be valid at the time of application and have at least one blank page for the visa sticker (if you are not using the ID Check app).