- Global Talent Visa - Academics & Research
The Global Talent visa is an opportunity for leave to enter or remain in the UK on the basis of exceptional talent or exceptional promise in the fields of science, engineering, humanities, social science, medicine, digital technology or arts and culture.
Applying for the Global Talent visa can be difficult without legal support. Our solicitors at Latitude Law are on hand to guide you through the process of a successful Global Talent visa application.
The global talent visa recognises exceptional talent or achievement as a route to enter or remain in the UK. This visa can be attained through two main pathways; winning an eligible award, or receiving endorsement from a recognised body.
If you haven’t received an eligible reward, you’ll need to apply for an endorsement for a global talent visa. This endorsement needs to be from the recognised body in your field, and you’ll need to prove that you are a leader, or a potential leader in your industry.
Once you’ve received your endorsement, you can begin the application process.
If you’ve won an eligible award, you’ll be able to make an application for a global talent visa directly, without needing to seek an endorsement. This makes the process much quicker and simpler in most cases.
View the list of eligible awards for a global talent visa.
A global talent visa is a form of work visa. Its purpose is to allow promising workers in certain fields to come to the UK and work, providing valuable skills and expertise.
The main benefit of a global talent visa is that it is not a sponsored visa type. What this means is that applicants are not tied to a certain employer, allowing for greater flexibility in career choice.
Anyone who is regarded as an exceptional talent in the following fields can apply for a Global Talent Visa:
You need to demonstrate that you are either:
Note: To succeed in an application, you’ll need to have been given an eligible award, or received an endorsement from a recognised leader in your field.
Find out more about who can apply for a global talent visa.
As the global talent visa is an unsponsored route to settlement in the UK, you do not need a job to secure this visa type. The focus of this visa is on the talent or skills you have as an individual in certain fields, as opposed to having a specific job lined up.
If you haven’t received an eligible award, the Global Talent visa can be thought of as a two-stage application process.
Applying for this type of visa can be tricky and confusing though, and seeing success the first time is rare. Working with immigration specialists to optimise your application can save you a lot of time and money.
We Can Help with Applying for a Global Talent Visa
If applying for an endorsement first, you’ll need the following documents:
If you’ve got an award already which makes you eligible for the global talent route, you’ll need evidence of that award, and the following:
The Global Talent visa costs £766 to apply for. If you’re applying for an endorsement first, this will be a cost in two stages, the first being a £561 payment for the endorsement application, then a further £205 for the visa application itself. If you have an eligible award, it will just be the full £766 in one go.
On top of this, you’ll need to be prepared to pay an immigration health surcharge of £1035 per year, and any dependents will also have to pay the same visa fee and health surcharge.
Failing to achieve a visa first time can mean lots of wasted money and time, which is why seeking the help of Latitude Law can be a great way to keep costs down.
Applying for a visa to live and work in the UK can be a long, complicated process. Our team of solicitors has vast experience in immigration law and can offer help and support at every stage of the process.
Whether you need assistance compiling documents for your application or require legal help with the judicial review, administrative review or appeals system, Latitude Law will ensure you get the best possible chance of successfully securing a UK visa. Contact us today to make sure you get expert legal guidance.
As the requirements for a Global Talent visa are complex, to ensure success, you should seek specialist advice from an immigration solicitor before you proceed with an application. Latitude Law’s specialist lawyers can advise you about your individual requirements and ensure that your application has the very best chance of being granted.
Get in touch with our legal team today on 0300 131 6767 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you. Face your future knowing you have the dedicated support of one of our expert lawyers.
As a boutique law firm specialising in UK-inbound immigration, our experts understand the complexity and uncertainty that constantly shifting visa and residence policies create for individuals demonstrating global talent. Our lawyers can provide up-to-the-minute legal advice on how any changes will impact your application.
We have connections with the Home Office and other immigration authorities so we can advise you with confidence, and ensure the entire immigration procedure runs smoothly and efficiently for you.
Latitude Law is proud to be consistently recognised by globally respected legal directories for our expertise in both corporate and personal immigration. We are featured in The Times Best 250 Law Firms in England & Wales 2025, Chambers & Partners UK & High Net Worth 2025, Legal 500 2025, and Lexology 2025 - each highlighting firms that demonstrate exceptional professionalism, specialist knowledge, and success in complex immigration matters. These independent endorsements distinguish us from other law firms and act as a kitemark of our integrity, quality, and commitment to outstanding client service.
Our commitment to client care is reflected in over 200 five-star Google reviews, showcasing the trust and satisfaction of those we've helped. Whether you're navigating a challenging immigration matter or seeking strategic legal advice, you can be confident you're in expert hands.
The Global Talent can be granted for a period of up to 5 years, depending on how long you apply for.
Yes, you are able to extend your leave under the Global Talent visa route. You can extend for a maximum of 5 years. There is no limit to the total period of permission held under this route.
If the application or endorsement is refused, you may have an option to request a review of this decision from the endorsing body. Reviews may take some time to be decided, so it is worth contacting an immigration expert to discuss your options.
The Global Talent visa is a route to settlement. A person is able to apply for settlement after holding leave under the Global Talent visa for 3 or 5 years. This depends on the endorsing body, and whether endorsed on the basis of exceptional promise or exceptional talent.
The Global Talent visa permits an applicant to bring their dependent partner and children as part of this visa.
It is possible to switch to another visa category from the Global Talent route. This is already a route to settlement, and so moving to a new visa would start your route to settlement over.
Unlike the skilled worker visa, there is no salary threshold requirement for the global talent visa.
Content Correct as of September 2025
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Are you looking to work in the UK? Getting a visa to work in the UK can be a complicated process. Some employment routes are governed by the Points-Based System (PBS). The rules can be complex and it is, therefore, vital that you consult a specialist immigration solicitor for legal advice and information before applying to work in the UK.
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