Work in the UK as a researcher or academic leader (Global Talent visa)
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1. Overview
With a Global Talent visa you can work in the UK in academia or research, if you have an endorsement as a leader or potential leader in one of the following fields:
- science
- medicine
- engineering
- humanities
- social science
You can apply for the Global Talent visa without an endorsement if you鈥檝e won an eligible prize.
What you can do with a Global Talent visa
With a Global Talent visa you can:
- choose how long your visa is for, up to 5 years
- be an employee, self-employed and a director of a company
- change or stop doing your job without telling the Home Office
- bring your partner and children with you as your 鈥榙ependants鈥�, if they鈥檙e eligible
- travel abroad and return to the UK
There are no language or minimum salary eligibility requirements.
If you want to stay longer in the UK, you can:
- renew your visa as many times as you like if you meet the eligibility criteria for extending your stay
- apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as 鈥榠ndefinite leave to remain鈥�) if you鈥檝e lived in the UK for 3 years and meet the other eligibility requirements - any time you spend outside the UK doing research counts towards this time
You cannot:
- apply for most benefits (鈥�public funds鈥�)
- work as a sportsperson
If your application is successful, you鈥檒l get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Global Talent visa.
Eligibility
You may be eligible if you have any of the following:
- an eligible job offer as an academic or researcher
- an individual fellowship
- a research grant that is approved by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
- an eligible prize
If you do not, you can apply by having your application peer reviewed, but your application will take longer.
If you鈥檙e not eligible for a Global Talent visa, there are other ways to work in the UK - for example a skilled work visa.
How to apply
To get a Global Talent visa you usually need to apply for an endorsement to prove that you鈥檙e a leader or potential leader, as well as for the visa itself.
You do not need to apply for an endorsement if you鈥檝e won an eligible prize. You can apply for the visa straight away.
Applying for an endorsement
You need to apply for an endorsement to prove you are a leader or potential leader in your field.
The Home Office will send your application to be reviewed by a UK organisation (鈥榚ndorsing body鈥�) with expertise in your field.
How you apply depends on whether you:
- have an eligible job offer as an academic or researcher
- have an individual fellowship
- have a research grant that is approved by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
- are getting your application peer reviewed
You鈥檒l usually get a decision about your endorsement within:
- 2 weeks, if you have an eligible academic or research job, individual fellowship or research grant - this is called 鈥榝ast track鈥� endorsement
- 5 weeks, if you鈥檙e having your application peer reviewed
Applying for the visa
There鈥檚 a separate guide to applying for your Global Talent visa, including how your partner or child can apply.
You usually get a decision about your visa within:
- 3 weeks if you鈥檙e outside the UK
- 8 weeks if you鈥檙e inside the UK
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
When you can apply for the visa
You can apply for the Global Talent visa at the same time as you apply for endorsement, or after you have the endorsement confirmed.
If your permission to stay in the UK is about to expire, applying for the visa will extend it until you鈥檝e been given a decision.
The earliest you can apply for a visa is 3 months before you travel.
Example
You can apply from 16 March if you plan to travel on 15 June.
Fees
It costs 拢716 to apply.
If you鈥檙e applying based on an endorsement, you鈥檒l pay the 拢716 in two parts:
- 拢524 when you apply for the endorsement
- 拢192 when you apply for the visa itself
If you鈥檙e applying based on an eligible prize, you鈥檒l pay the full 拢716 when you apply for the visa.
If you鈥檙e including your partner or children in your application, they鈥檒l each need to pay 拢716.
Healthcare surcharge
You鈥檒l also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application - this is usually 拢1,035 per year for each person applying.
before you apply.
If your endorsement application is refused
If your application is turned down you can request an endorsement review.
2. Academic or researcher
You can get fast track endorsement for the Global Talent visa if you have an eligible job offer:
- as an academic or researcher聽
- at an institution approved by the Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering and British Academy - check the or the list of officially recognised universities and colleges
If you cannot get an endorsement for an eligible job, you may be able to apply another way, for example with an individual fellowship.
You can apply for the Global Talent visa without an endorsement if you鈥檝e won an eligible prize.
Eligible jobs
Your job offer will need to involve either:
- being responsible for academic, research or innovation leadership and development
- directing or leading an individual or team research or innovation project or programme of work
Documents you need to provide
You need to provide both:
- a full job description
- a letter from the director of human resources (or equivalent) at the organisation where you will work
The letter needs to say all of the following:
- the name of the position and department where you will work
- how the job you鈥檝e been offered is eligible for this visa
- that you鈥檝e accepted the job offer
- that the position was advertised and the application process was an open competition (or if it was not, the reasons why)
- that you gave at least 2 references
- that at least 3 academic, research or innovation representatives interviewed you for the role
- that an expert in your field was among the interviewers or consulted about your appointment before you were offered the job
Apply for endorsement
Once you have the documents, you can .
To complete the form, you need to check which endorsing body approves your discipline.
You鈥檒l usually get a decision on your application within 1 week.
Apply for the Global Talent visa
You can apply for the Global Talent visa at the same time as you apply for endorsement, or after you have the endorsement confirmed.
If your permission to stay in the UK is about to expire, applying for the visa will extend it until you鈥檝e been given a decision.
You鈥檒l get a response within 3 weeks if you鈥檙e outside the UK, and 8 weeks if you鈥檙e inside the UK.
3. Individual fellowship
You can get fast track endorsement if you have held an eligible fellowship in the last 5 years. The fellowship needs to be approved by the following:
- Royal Society, for science and medicine
- British Academy, for humanities
- Royal Academy of Engineering
.
You can apply as either a:
- leader in your field (called 鈥榚xceptional talent鈥�)
- potential leader in your field (called 鈥榚xceptional promise鈥�)
Which one you are depends on the fellowship you have.
If your fellowship is not listed or you have another type of grant, you may be able to get endorsement from UK Research and Innovation.
Apply for endorsement
You need to provide a copy of your fellowship award letter.
Once you have the letter, you can .
To complete the form, you need to check which endorsing body approves your discipline.
You鈥檒l usually get a decision on your application within 1 week.
Apply for the Global Talent visa
You can apply for the Global Talent visa at the same time as you apply for endorsement, or after you have the endorsement confirmed.
If your permission to stay in the UK is about to expire, applying for the visa will extend it until you鈥檝e been given a decision.
You鈥檒l get a response within 3 weeks if you鈥檙e outside the UK, and 8 weeks if you鈥檙e inside the UK.
4. UK Research and Innovation endorsement
You may be eligible for endorsement if you鈥檙e working on a research grant or award from a funder approved by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Eligibility
Your grant must have been awarded by an organisation on the list of endorsed funders.
The organisation employing or hosting you must be approved by UKRI. The organisation must be in the UK, but you can do research abroad.
You must also:
- have at least 1 year left on your employment contract or hosting agreement
- spend at least half of your time working on the grant
- be working on a grant worth at least 拢30,000 that covers at least 2 years
- have either a one-off grant or award or a 鈥榬enewable鈥� award with regular peer review
If you鈥檙e a principal investigator or co-investigator you can work on more than one grant, as long as in total they make up at least half of your time.
Along with your grant or award you must either:
- lead a unique research or innovation project
- contribute to research in developing new technology or methodology
If you鈥檙e leading on research or a project
If you鈥檒l lead a unique research or innovation project either independently or under acceptable supervision, you must:
- have a PhD or equivalent research experience (including clinical and industrial research)
- have actively participated in your relevant field of research within a university, research institution or industrial setting
You must also either:
- be named on the research grant application
- have your job title on the research grant application
If you鈥檙e contributing to research
If you will contribute to research in developing new technology or methodology you must have research experience within a university, research institution or industrial setting.
You must also either:
- have a UK bachelor鈥檚 degree
- have an equivalent overseas research degree
- have equivalent research experience (including clinical and industrial research)
If you鈥檝e had a career break
If you鈥檝e recently taken time away from actively participating in your relevant field of research, for example a career break or parental leave, and you鈥檒l be returning to your employment, you鈥檒l still be eligible for the Global Talent visa.
Documents you need to provide
If your grant or award is on the list of UKRI approved award databases, you must provide a link to it in your endorsement application.
The database must confirm the grant or award:
- is worth at least 拢30,000 and covers at least 2 years
- is either a one-off funding payment or a 鈥榬enewable鈥� award with regular peer review
If your grant or award is not included on the database, you鈥檒l need a letter from your endorsed funder instead.
You also need to provide a letter from the director of human resources (or equivalent) at the organisation where you鈥檙e working. This needs to say all of the following:
- the name of the position and department where you work
- that you have accepted the job offer or hosting agreement
- that you are essential to the grant
- that you will be spending at least half of your agreed working time on the grant
- details of the fair recruitment process, if you were not specifically named on the grant application
You need to provide documents for all grants you鈥檙e using for your endorsement application.
Apply for endorsement
Once you have the documents, you can .
You鈥檒l usually get a decision on your application within 2 weeks.
Apply for the Global Talent visa
You can apply for the Global Talent visa at the same time as you apply for endorsement, or after you have the endorsement confirmed.
If your permission to stay in the UK is about to expire, applying for the visa will extend it until you鈥檝e been given a decision.
You鈥檒l get a response within 3 weeks if you鈥檙e outside the UK, and 8 weeks if you鈥檙e inside the UK.
5. Peer review
If you鈥檙e not eligible for another route, you may be able to get endorsement by having your application peer reviewed.
You can apply for endorsement as either:
- a leader in your field (called 鈥榚xceptional talent鈥�)
- a potential leader in your field (called 鈥榚xceptional promise鈥�)
Peer review is done by the:
- Royal Society, for science and medicine
- British Academy, for humanities and social science
- Royal Academy of Engineering, for engineering and technology
Eligibility
You need to:
- work in an approved research discipline
- be an active researcher - for example in a university, research institute or business
- have a PhD or equivalent research experience, including industrial or clinical research
You do not need a job offer to apply.
To apply through exceptional promise you must also be at an early stage of your career.
If you鈥檙e not eligible for peer review
If you鈥檙e not eligible for peer review, you may be able to work in the UK another way, for example with a Skilled Worker visa.
Documents you need to provide
You need to provide a copy of your CV. It must:
- outline your career and any publication history, if applicable
- be typed
- be up to 3 single sides of A4 paper
You must include a letter of recommendation from an 鈥榚minent person鈥� living in the UK who knows you and your work. The endorsing body must judge that the person has 鈥榠nternationally recognised expertise鈥� in your field.
The letter must be about your Global Talent application, you cannot use a letter that was written for another reason.
It must say how:
- the eminent person knows you
- they think you show exceptional talent or promise
- you would benefit from being in the UK
- you would contribute to the UK
It must also explain what plans you have for work in the future.
The letter must:
- be typed and dated
- be up to 3 single sides of A4 paper, excluding the author鈥檚 credentials and contact details
- be signed by the author, or by someone on behalf of the organisation recommending you
- include a telephone number and email address, and the organisation鈥檚 logo and registered address, if applicable
- come with the author鈥檚 CV (or other proof of their credentials that the endorsing body will accept)
Exceptional talent
If you鈥檙e applying through exceptional talent, you must also include a letter from an eminent person who is a senior member of a UK organisation. This must be someone who can give an objective assessment of your work based on their expert knowledge. They do not need to know you personally.
The letter must be about your Global Talent application, you cannot use a letter that was written for another reason.
It must:
- say how they think your work shows exceptional talent
- say how you would contribute to research and innovation in the UK
- include a statement saying which organisation they鈥檙e a senior member of
The letter must:
- be written by a different person to the one who wrote your letter of recommendation
- be typed and dated
- be up to 3 sides of A4 paper, excluding the author鈥檚 credentials and contact details
- be signed by the author
- include a telephone number and email address
- come with the author鈥檚 CV (or other proof of their credentials that the endorsing body will accept)
- include a statement saying it鈥檚 not influenced by any personal knowledge of you, although the author can be someone who knows you
How your application will be assessed
When making a decision on your application, the endorsing body will assess that you meet the eligibility criteria. It will also consider the following factors:
- your career history - for example the international reputation and impact of your work
- the strength of the statements in your recommendation letter and of the evidence in support of your application
- how you鈥檒l contribute to UK research excellence and to wider society, including to the economy, by being based in the UK
There are other factors they鈥檒l consider, depending on if you鈥檙e applying through exceptional promise or exceptional talent.
Exceptional promise
The endorsing body will consider:
- whether you鈥檝e given enough evidence to show you have the potential to be a future leader in your field
- how much extra funding you鈥檝e secured during, or after, a relevant fellowship
- whether you can give evidence of a relevant prize or award for early career researchers
- how significant your contribution to your field is, in relation to the career stage you鈥檙e in
Exceptional talent
The endorsing body will consider:
- whether you鈥檝e won what they consider to be a 鈥榩restigious鈥� prize or award
- whether you鈥檝e secured significant funding for your work in the past 10 years
- whether you鈥檙e regarded to be a leader in your field
Apply for endorsement
Once you have the documents, you can .
To complete the form, you need to check which endorsing body approves your discipline.
Peer review endorsement applications usually take 5 weeks.
Apply for the Global Talent visa
You can apply for the Global Talent visa at the same time as you apply for endorsement, or after you have the endorsement confirmed.
If your permission to stay in the UK is about to expire, applying for the visa will extend it until you鈥檝e been given a decision.
You鈥檒l get a response within 3 weeks if you鈥檙e outside the UK, and 8 weeks if you鈥檙e inside the UK.
6. If your endorsement application is refused
You can ask for a review if you do not think your endorsement application was judged correctly.
The review will be done by the endorsing body that looked at your original application.
There鈥檚 no fee.
What the review will look at
You can ask the review to look at specific areas, for example if you think:
- a piece of evidence was not properly looked at
- there was a mistake in how your application was processed
If there was nothing wrong with the way the process was followed, your application will not be reconsidered.
You cannot give new evidence as part of the review.
When you can ask for a review
You need to request the review within 28 days after you get the decision.
If your permission to stay in the UK is about to expire, applying for an endorsement review will not extend it.
How to ask for a review
Fill in the Global Talent endorsement review form and email it to the Home Office.
Home Office
[email protected]
When you鈥檒l get a decision
You鈥檒l be told by email within 28 days if your review has been successful.
If your endorsement application is still refused
If the endorsing body refuses your application for the same reasons as before you鈥檒l:
- get an email
- need to pay the fee again if you make a new application
You cannot ask for another review.
If the endorsing body refuses your application for new reasons:
- you鈥檒l get a letter - you can ask for another review based on the new reasons only