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Work in the UK as a leader in technology
+ Global Talent Visa
+ TechNation Endorsement

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Global Talent Visas and TechNation Endorsements
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The UK's Global Talent Visa

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Work in the UK as a leader in digital technology (Global Talent visa)

Overview

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
  • blockchain

    You can also work in the UK on a Global Talent visa if you’ve won an eligible award.

    If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

    If you or your family member started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.

    The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021 for most people. You can still apply if either:

  • you have a later deadline - for example, you’re joining a family member in the UK who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
  • you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for being unable to apply by 30 June 2021 - for example, you had an illness or were the victim of domestic abuse Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

    Otherwise you need a visa to work in the UK.

    Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

    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.

    You can also get the visa if you’ve won an eligible award. If you’re 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 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 for a faster decision on your visa application. How you do this depends on whether you’re outside the UK or inside the UK.

    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.

    Example You can apply from 16 March if you plan to travel on 15 June.

    Fees

    It costs £608 to apply.

    If you’re applying based on an endorsement, you’ll pay the £608 in two parts:
  • £456 when you apply for the endorsement
  • £152 when you apply for the visa itself

    If you’re applying based on an eligible award, you’ll pay the full £608 when you apply for the visa.

    If you’re including your partner or children in your application, they’ll each need to pay £608.

    Healthcare surcharge

    You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application - this is usually £624 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.


    View a printable version of the whole guide

    How GTVTN Application Advisors can help you:
    GTVTN Application Advisors have a highly trained and experienced team of professionals dealing ONLY with TechNation endorsements and Global Talent visas. Contact us today to arrange a consultation. The firm is knowledgeable and experienced in a wide variety of technology, business, economic sectors and business domains, reflecting our emphasis on examining the most attractive story per application regardless of the applicant's industry segment or geographical location.

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