Visa Application For Global Talent Visa UK: Process & Eligibility

What is the Global Talent Visa UK?

In brief, the UK Global Talent visa is an opportunity to thrive in the UK if you are an exceptional talent or a promising individual in the field of:

• Technology
• Academia and research
• Arts and culture

Unlike other work visas, such as a Skilled Worker visa, the Global Talent visa is not tied to an employer. You would have the freedom to work, switch jobs, freelance, start a business, or even do nothing for a while. 

The Two Stages of the Global Talent Visa UK

Before we explain Stage 2, here is how the whole Global Talent visa process is structured:

Stage 1: Global Talent visa UK Endorsement

You apply to get endorsed from one of the UK government’s approved endorsing bodies (eg, Tech Nation, British Academy, the Royal Society). They give credibility to your claim that you are a big deal in your field. 

Stage 2: Visa Application 

Once you have got your endorsement letter, it is time to apply for the actual visa through UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration). This is another stage where people start to get nervous about what if their application gets rejected. However, with the right documentation and guidance, the process is pretty straightforward. 

UK Global Talent Visa Eligibility: Visa Application Edition

Let us make this clear. This stage is not about proving your talent or potential again; you have already done this in the endorsement stage. This stage is about:

• Providing the right Global Talent visa UK documents.
• Showing that you have a Global Talent visa endorsement.
• Paying the correct fees
• Meeting the Global Talent visa UK requirements.

Who is Eligible at Stage 2?

• You must have received an endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body within the last 3 months of applying for the visa. 
• You must be 18 or over.
• You must meet the standard immigration rules (no criminal record, TB test if required, etc).
• You must apply inside or outside the UK (yes, both are possible). 

Global Talent Visa UK Requirements (Stage 2)

You have to apply for the visa online, but before that, you have to gather these documents:

Global Talent visa UK Documents Checklist

1. Endorsement letter from the endorsing body (sent through email after the first stage approval).
2. A valid passport or another valid document verifying your identity and nationality.
3. Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if you are from a listed country).
4. If you are already in the UK through an award or scholarship to study, you will need written permission from the agency or government that granted it. 
5. A blank page in your passport if you don’t belong to the EU, EEA, or Switzerland (or belong to these regions, but don’t have a biometric passport).
6. Proof of relationship (if you are bringing dependents)
7. Proof of funds for your dependents (if they are applying with you).
8. Your biometric information (photo & fingerprint).

Global Talent Visa UK Fees

It is equally important to know what is going to be the cost of the UK Global Talent visa is. 

• Visa Application fee: GBP 205
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): GBP 1,035 per year.

Let us make it easier for you. Let’s suppose you have applied for the visa as an exceptional promise candidate, and your visa is valid for 3 years. You will have to pay:

Visa fee = GBP 205

IHS = 1,035 x 3 = GBP 3,105

Total = GBP 3,310

If you are going to bring your dependents with you, such as your partner and children, they will pay the same IHS and the additional visa fees of GBP 766 each. 

Processing Time: How Long Does Stage 2 Take?

• If you are applying from outside the UK, then within 3 weeks.
• If you are applying from within the UK, then within 8 weeks.

There is also a priority service if you are in a hurry. But you have to pay extra for this service.

Global Talent Visa UK Success Rate

There is a high chance that you will get your UK Global Talent visa if you have already been endorsed. As per the latest data, the Global Talent visa success rate is around 95%. This is fairly high, mostly because most of the applicants have already crossed the toughest stage (proving their talent or potential) in stage 1. 

If you already have an endorsement or are holding an eligible prestigious prize, then the only things that can stop you from getting a visa are filling up wrong details in your visa application or not submitting the required documents. 

Global Talent Visa UK Age Limit

There is no upper age limit to get this visa. But the lower age limit is 18 years old. No matter whether you are a 22-year-old startup founder or a 55-year-old filmmaker, you will pass the UK Global Talent visa eligibility age requirement. 

What Happens After You Get the Visa?

Once you have been approved for the visa, you will get:

• A  vignette in your passport if you are applying from outside the UK. 
• You will get a digital visa confirmation (eVisa).

Global Talent Visa UK Benefits

Here is why the UK Global Talent visa is so popular among people;

• Work Freedom: No need for any job offer or  employer sponsorship

• Flexibility: Do freelancing, start your own business, or switch roles anytime. 

• Fast-track to ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain): You can get ILR in just 3 years or 5 years, depending upon your endorsement.

• Bring Your Family: Your spouse or children can join you. 

• No Limitation: There is no limit to the number of visas granted.

Wrapping Up

In this blog, we have covered every detail and information you need to know for applying for the UK Global Talent visa. Even after reading this blog, if you are still thinking that this is doable, but I don’t want to mess this up, don’t worry. Let Contentholic’s visa consulting team help you make your UK dream into reality. With us, you don’t have to take the stress, don’t need to have the documentation headache, and get the highest chance of success. We can double-check your application for accuracy, track your visa status, and even help with dependent applications. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)