UK Global Talent visa: Work as a leader in digital technology

The Global Talent Visa is a highly sought-after immigration category for non-British nationals who wish to work or seek employment in particular industries within the UK. With a Global Talent visa you can work in the UK if you are a leader or potential leader in digital technology, for example in:

• financial technology (‘fintech’)
• gaming
• cyber security
• artificial intelligence

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 ‘dependants’, if they’re 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 - you’ll have to meet the eligibility criteria for extending your stay. You can also apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) after:

• 3 years if you’re applying as a leader
• 5 years if you’re applying as a potential leader

You cannot:

• apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
• work as a sportsperson

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Global Talent visa.

Eligibility

You do not need a job offer to get the visa. Your background can be either:

• technical, for example you’re a developer, engineer or data scientist
• business, for example you have commercial, investment or digital product expertise in a technology company that creates software, hardware or that processes data

Check the full list of eligible digital technology roles.

How to apply

To get a Global Talent visa you need to apply for an ‘endorsement’, as well as for the visa itself. You do not need to apply for an endorsement if you’ve won an eligible award. 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 Tech Nation. You will usually get a decision about your endorsement within 5 to 8 weeks. If your application is considered to be ‘fast track’, you’ll get a decision in 3 weeks.

Applying for the visa

There’s 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’re outside the UK
• 8 weeks if you’re 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’ve been given a decision. The earliest you can apply for a visa is 3 months before you travel.

Fees

It costs £716 to apply. If you’re applying based on an endorsement, you’ll pay the £716 in two parts:

• £524 when you apply for the endorsement
• £192 when you apply for the visa itself

If you’re applying based on an eligible award, you’ll pay the full £716 when you apply for the visa. If you’re including your partner or children in your application, they’ll each need to pay £716.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application - this is usually £1,035 per year for each person applying. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

If your endorsement application is refused

If your application is turned down you can request an endorsement review.