The  Global Talent Visa Scheme is available for talented and promising non-UK nationals from the fields of science, engineering, medicine and humanities, digital technology and arts and culture, who wish to continue their professional career in the UK. The visa allows you to live and work in the UK for up to five years, and you can extend the visa after this period, or apply for settlement.

There are two routes available for people with different levels of experience. You must choose which of these routes is most appropriate for your current stage of career when you apply:

Exceptional Talent is for people who have a substantial track record of working regularly as a professional in the last five years, and who are widely recognised as being current leaders or experts in their field
Exceptional Promise is for people at the stage of their career where they are developing a track record of working as a professional in the last five years, and who are recognised as having the potential of being future leaders or experts in their field

You can find out more information about the visa conditions here 

The Global Talent visa allows you to work in the UK on a flexible basis with fewer restrictions and costs than other visa routes.

Freedom to switch jobs and grow your career
Unlike the UK’s main Skilled Worker visa, Global Talent is an unsponsored immigration category. This means you have the flexibility to change roles or employers, enter self-employment, set up a spin-out company or earn money from other sources such as consultancy without seeking permission from the Home Office.

Recognition that research and innovation is global
The Global Talent visa allows you to travel anywhere in the world for research purposes without it counting towards the maximum time period for absences from the UK if you choose to apply for settlement*.

Make a home in the UK
The Global Talent visa comes with considerable advantages if you wish to establish a long-term connection to the UK. This includes a fast-track to settlement after three years for the main visa holder and (if applicable) the opportunity for close family members** to work in the UK.

Lower visa fees
Excluding the UK Immigration Health Surcharge, the standard fee for a five-year Global Talent visa is £766, compared to £1,751 for the Skilled Worker visa where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued. The Global Talent visa is also exempt from employer sponsorship costs, including the UK Immigration Skills Charge.

Flexibility to choose visa length
The Global Talent visa is unique in allowing applicants to choose the length of their visa, initially up to five years, with the option to renew multiple times

As part of the visa application, you must receive an endorsement of your talent or promise from an ‘endorsing body’ and satisfy them that you are currently at an appropriate stage of your professional career to be recognised as a leader, or future leader, otherwise your endorsement application may be refused.

The Arts Council is the chosen endorsing body for arts and culture applications and they contract out to the British Fashion Council for assessment.

Applying for this visa route is time-consuming & complex, with a high rejection rate. This is often due to insufficient forward planning, lack of understanding of the evidence required and providing letters of support either in the incorrect format or from organisations that are not on the British Fashion Council approved list.

Letter of Support
Fashion design applicants must provide three letters of support from separate well-established organisations that have a national or international reputation, and recognised expertise in the fashion industry to support your endorsement application. You will also need 10 pieces of physical evidence of your work and recognition of your talent or promise, and an artistic CV or résumé.

Please note: If accepted on our programmes the programme will help ensure you meet the endorsement criteria, but does not guarantee endorsement.