Applying for a Global Talent visa

Before you can apply for a Global Talent visa you must meet the criteria to be granted an endorsement. Once you have been endorsed you can make a visa application.

Applying for a Global Talent visa is a two-stage process: 

Stage one

First, you must qualify for a Global Talent visa by gaining an endorsement from one of the six endorsing bodies approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Stage two 

You can only apply for your visa once you have gained an endorsement.

My endorsement has been approved! How do I apply for the visa?

Once you have received a decision confirming that your endorsement was granted (this is usually by email) or you have been awarded a prestigious prize, you must then apply for your visa.

  • The visa application must be submitted within 3 months of receiving your endorsement. 
  • You can apply to enter or stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years or a minimum of 1 year.
  • You will choose how long you want to apply for in the application form.   

Requirements for the visa application

Suitability requirements

You must not fall for refusal under Part 9 of the Immigration Rules (Grounds for Refusal – eg, on basis of criminality).

View the Immigration rule Part 9:

 

Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules part 9: grounds for refusal

 

If applying from inside the UK, you must not: 

  • Be in breach of immigration laws, except that any period of overstaying will be disregarded in specific circumstances (please seek urgent legal advice if you are an overstayer in the UK) 
  • Be on immigration bail. 

Tuberculosis (TB) test

If you are submitting your application from outside the UK, a TB test may be required:

 

Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants

 

The following are not required:

  • English language - there are no English language requirements
  • No maintenance requirements 
  • ATAS is not required 

Where do I send my application? 

You will need to submit two separate online applications for stage 1 and stage 2.  The stage 1 application will have no impact on your current visa status if you’re already in the UK. 

The stage two application is a visa application.  

There is a single link for the Stage 1 application form regardless of your current residence: 

Stage one application form

There are two different forms for Stage two, depending on where you are applying from:  

You will need to submit this application in your country of nationality or a country where you are legally present:


If you are applying from inside the UK, you must not have, or have last been granted, permission on any of the following visa routes: 

  • Visitor 
  • Short-term student 
  • Parent of a Child Student 
  • Seasonal Worker 
  • Domestic worker in a private household; or 
  • Outside the Immigration Rules 

Student visa holders

If you are on a student visa and have, in the last 12 months before the date of application, received an award from a Government agency or international scholarship agency covering both fees and living costs for study in the UK, you must provide written consent to the application from that Government or agency. 

Additionally you must also have: completed the course you were sponsored to study OR studied for a PhD for at least 24 months.


 

Supporting documents

Read a list of supporting documents 

You should also include the email confirming your endorsement has been granted. 

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