Apply for the Global Talent visa
Switch to this visa
You might be able to apply to change (鈥榮witch鈥�) to a Global Talent visa if you鈥檙e already in the UK on a different type of visa.
Your partner or children will need to apply separately to switch their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
You should apply before your current visa expires.
Eligibility
To switch to a Global Talent visa you must be in the UK.
If you鈥檝e won an eligible prestigious prize, you can apply for the visa directly.
If you鈥檝e not won an eligible prestigious prize, you鈥檒l need to get an endorsement first to prove that you鈥檙e a leader or potential leader in your field.
If you鈥檙e currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must also have either:
- completed the course you were sponsored to study
- studied for a PhD for at least 24 months
If you鈥檙e applying for an endorsement
The fields you must prove you鈥檙e a leader or potential leader in are:
You must apply to switch to the Global Talent visa within 3 months of getting an endorsement.
You cannot apply for the visa if the organisation that endorsed you has withdrawn its approval.
Who cannot apply to switch to this visa
You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you鈥檙e currently in the UK in one of the following circumstances:
- on a visit visa
- on a short-term student visa
- on a Parent of a Child Student visa
- on a seasonal worker visa
- on a domestic worker in a private household visa
- on immigration bail
- you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds
You must leave the UK and apply for a Global Talent visa from abroad if you鈥檙e in one of these categories.
How long you can stay
You can choose how long you want to apply for, up to 5 years at a time.
After you apply, you can stay in the UK until you get your decision.
If you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you do not need to apply for a visa.
If you want to stay longer in the UK
You may be able to get indefinite leave to remain so you can settle in the UK after 3 or 5 years, depending on which field you work in and how you apply. This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you鈥檙e eligible.
Fees
Switching to a Global Talent visa costs 拢716.
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 prestigious prize, you鈥檒l pay the full 拢716 when you apply for the visa.
Your partner and children must pay 拢716 each if they want to apply to travel with you or join you later in the UK.
You will need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken. There鈥檚 no fee for this.
Healthcare surcharge
You鈥檒l also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.
before you apply.
Proving your identity and giving supporting documents
As part of your application you鈥檒l need to prove your identity.
How you do this depends on where you鈥檙e from and the type of passport you have.
You鈥檒l either:
- use the 鈥楿K Immigration: ID Check鈥� app to scan your identity document - you鈥檒l also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
- have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point
You鈥檒l be told what you need to do when you apply.
Apply to switch to a Global Talent visa
You must apply online.
Once you鈥檝e started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
Continue your application
Find out how to sign in to your account.
How long it takes to get a decision
Decisions are usually made within 8 weeks of your application date.
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision - you鈥檒l be told if you can when you apply.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
After you apply
If you need to change something in your application after you鈥檝e sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
You can ask to cancel your application. You鈥檒l only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.
You鈥檒l get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.