UK Tier 1 Global Talent Visa

The government has just announced that they will be replacing the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa route with the new Tier 1 Global Talent visa. The new route will be opened on the 20th February and will be the first post-Brexit visa. Applicants are encouraged to get their application sorted as early as possible.

Don’t delay call 020 7118 4546 or email: info@westkin.com

What is the UK Tier 1 Global Talent visa?

The Global Talent visa aims to replace the Exceptional Talent visa and to encourage leading experts and researchers, particularly in the domains of science, engineering, medicine and the humanities. This visa is also eligible for those working in the arts, culture, fashion, or digital technology.

To learn more about the Global Talent visa call 020 7118 4546 or email: info@westkin.com

Why is the UK Tier 1 Global Talent visa better than the Exceptional Talent visa?

The new Global Talent visa is great news for highly talent foreign nationals as well as the British scientific community as the scheme keeps the best aspects of the Exceptional Talent visa and expands upon them.

There is no cap

Unlike the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa, there will no longer be a cap on the number of applicants accepted. Under the Exceptional Talent, scheme, there was a strict cap of 2,000 per year. It is worth noting that throughout the visa’s lifespan, there was never a time when the cap was met, and last year only 600 visas were granted due to the high standards of the Home Office. Despite the difficulties, Westkin Associates was successful in its efforts to gain clients Exceptional Talent and Exceptional Promise visas.

No job offer requirement

Additionally, the new Global Talent visa will be keeping the flexibility of the exceptional talent visa by not requiring applicants to have already obtained a job offer before arriving in the UK.

Accelerated pathway to settlement 

The new visa will also offer participants an accelerated pathway to citizenship akin to the previous scheme.

Under the Global Talent visa, you can apply for settled status just after 3 years if you are working in the fields of science, engineering, humanities or medicine.

In contrast to the previous visa which only offered an accelerated pathway for those identified as having exceptional talent, which required a record of international achievements, this accelerated scheme is available to all working in the fields of science, engineering, humanities or medicine. Under the Global Talent visa, you will be granted up to 5 years leave during which time you can come to work in the UK alongside your family without restriction. After the initial 3 years, participants will be permitted to apply for settled status if you work in the fields of engineering, science, medicine or the humanities. After holding settled status for a year, they may then apply for naturalisation and become a British citizen.

Expanded endorsement bodies

In contrast to the Exceptional Talent visa, which only permitted candidates who were able to gain the endorsement from one of 5 approved endorsement bodies, the new Global Talent visa seeks to expand the pool of approved endorsing bodies to include the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Increased Funding

In a bid to attracted highly skilled foreign nationals and researchers, the government has announced that they would dramatically increase funding. They have stated that they will provide an additional £300 million available for research into advanced maths. In addition, they will double funding for new PhDs and expand the number of fellowships and research projects available.

You are allowed leave for research

The UK Global Talent visa permits researcher to travel abroad for long periods to engage in research without said absences counting against your settled status application. This option is only permitted for those who are working in the science, engineering, humanities and medical fields. The amount of time you are permitted abroad can be quite flexible and will be worked out with your endorser.

Science applications assessed by UK Research and Innovation Agency

Under the Global Talent visa, the UKRI will assess individual applications within the realm of science as opposed to the Home Office. This will allow for a more streamlined application as those applying will be those qualified to understand their research as opposed to simply immigration officials. To see if this visa is right for you, contact us at 020 7118 4546 or email: info@westkin.com

What are the different pathways for the Global Talent visa?

There are four different pathways for the Global Talent visa (Peer reviews, senior appointments, fellowships and endorsed funding). These endorsements are largely administered by an approved body which includes the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the British Academy.

• Peer reviews will require an endorsement from an approved endorsing body.

• Senior appointments are granted by British universities, educational and research institutes and are endorsed by the same bodies as the peer views.

• Fellowships are similarly gained at research institutes or a high education facility which has gained the approval of the endorsing bodies.

• Endorsed funding is assessed by the UKRI and offers a fast track to settlement.

If you are unsure which pathway is right for you, speak to our expert Tier 1 UK Global Visa team via telephone at 020 7118 4546 or email: info@westkin.com

Gaining an endorsement

Whilst you are not required to hold a job offer for your applications, you will need to gain an endorsement. This can be a difficult process, but our skilled legal experts are happy to work with you on your application. We have over 80 years’ worth of experience, and our lawyers have worked with clients from a range of fields including but not limited to the arts, the latest in the technology, medicine and more.

We help you to identify the best endorser and outline their requirements. We tailor your application to meet the demands of the endorsers and to prove your why you are the best the choice. Furthermore, our immigration specialists work with prospective applicants to challenge and learn from refusals to ensure that they are able to secure their visa.

Speak to our endorsement team by calling 020 7118 4546 or email info@westkin.com

What is permitted under the New UK Global Talent visa?

Under the Global Talent visa scheme, you will be able to bring with your immediate family with you, and they will have full access to the labour market.

The visa scheme also permits an exemption from the absence rule allowing you to travel and work abroad so long as it is relevant to your research. This will mean that you can freely travel for research without worrying about the impact on your settlement application.

You can learn more by calling 020 7118 4546 or email: info@westkin.com

Why Westkin Associates?

With over 8 decades of experience, we have developed a keen awareness of the specific criteria of the Home Office and approved endorsing bodies. Our specialist legal team has an acute awareness of different scientific endorsing bodies and has worked with a wide range of clients to get their application approved. We will work tirelessly to tailor your application to meet these demands.

Westkin is also one of the first legal firms to have secured the start-up and innovation visa which fall under Appendix W. This new Global Talent visa will also fall under Appendix W, and we predict that we will have similar success with this visa.

The Home Office is notorious for refusing visas for falling short on any aspect of their criteria or for a perceived lack of clarity. It is, therefore, important to have the best legal advice available.

Call our expert Tier 1 Immigration Lawyers at 020 7118 4546 or email: info@westkin.com