Qualifying for a Global Talent visa

For those appointed to an academic or researcher position at the University of Edinburgh, where the applicant is either:

1. Responsible for academic, research or innovation leadership and development; or

2. Directs or leads:

• an individual or team research project or programme of work; or

• an individual or team innovation project or programme of work

This must be a significant function of the role being offered, evidenced by the Job Description.

The following recruitment process must also have been met:

• The job was advertised, and an open competition was held, or where it was not, an explanation as to why not

• At least two references were received

• At least three academic, research or innovation representatives were on the interview panel(s)

• At least one expert in the applicant’s field was on the interview panel(s), or at least one relevant expert, independent of the University of Edinburgh was consulted before the job offer was made

• The individual has been offered and accepted the position

Documents required for stage 1 application:

1. Statement of Guarantee from the University of Edinburgh HR Director.  This should be requested through your School/Department HR or administrator and will be issued centrally.
2. A copy of the Job Description setting out the duties and responsibilities of the position.

For those awarded an individual fellowship from a list approved by the British Academy, Royal Society, and Royal Academy of Engineering.  

• Read the list of eligible awards on the Royal Society website.

The listed fellowships are awarded through stringent peer review processes. 

They can be held currently or in the last 5 years.  

Fellowships are separated into ‘exceptional talent’ and ‘exceptional promise’ categories.

Documents required for stage 1 application:

1. Copy of fellowship award letter, showing name, name of fellowship, start date, duration and confirming individual has been awarded a fellowship. (Not all award letters contain relevant information such as the name of the applicant, in which case supporting information is likely to be required.) 

For researchers and specialists whose name or job title is specified in a successful grant application from a list of approved endorsed funders. 

• View the list of the approved endorsed funders. 

The following requirements must also be met: 

• The grant must be >£30k (not salary), and at least 2 years in duration 

• The employment contract or hosting agreement at the University of Edinburgh must have at least 12 months remaining at the time of the application for endorsement 

• The applicant will be spending at least 50% of their working time contributing to the grant 

• Researchers must hold a PhD; technical support at least a bachelor's degree and research experience within a University, Research Institute, or industry. 

• One of the following (A or B) must apply 

• (A) They must independently direct, or directly under the supervision of an R&D team leader, a unique research or innovation project; OR 

• (B) They must make critical contributions to research through the provision of core technical or domain excellence, or in developing new technologies and methodologies.  They will be typically named, or their post listed, on the grant/award under ‘directly incurred costs’. 

Documents required for stage 1 application: 

1. Statement of Guarantee from the University of Edinburgh HR Director, confirming specific details. 

• The grant holder (UoE staff) must complete a checklist, confirming all the requirements are met 

• The completed checklist with supporting documents is then submitted as a Service Request in People and Money. 

• The Statement of Guarantee will be prepared and issued centrally. 

2. Written confirmation from the funder that the value of the grant is at least £30,000, covers a minimum of two years; and is either funded by a one-off grant or award that has been won in open competition or attributed to a large institutional, renewable award that is subject to periodic peer review.  This can be either: 

• Award/grant letter; or 
• A link to the grant or award on a UKRI-approved database. 

For those who don’t qualify for a ‘fast track’ option (1-3, above), you can submit a peer review application to the British Academy, Royal Society or Royal Academy of Engineering. 

You can choose to be considered under the ‘Exceptional Promise’ or ‘Exceptional Talent’. 

It’s important to note that endorsement is not guaranteed and will depend on your personal circumstances.  

​​​You will go through an initial eligibility check and the endorsing body to which you have applied will conduct an initial eligibility check to verify that you: 

• are an active researcher - for example in a university, a research institute or industry; 
• have a PhD or equivalent research experience, including industrial or clinical research; 
• are at an early stage of your career (exceptional promise only); and 
• have provided the required documents to be considered for assessment under peer review. 

Your application will then be considered by experts in your field who will look at the strength of the evidence to determine whether your application demonstrates exceptional talent or exceptional promise. 

1. A completed Stage 1 (endorsement) application form – this requires a lot of information, including a personal statement. 

2. A short curriculum vitae outlining your career and publication history (no more than three sides of A4 in length); 

3. A mandatory letter of personal recommendation from an eminent person resident in the UK supporting your application. The person must be familiar with your work and your contribution to your field, and qualified to assess your claim for exceptional talent or exceptional promise. Full details of what the letter should include can be found in the link below. 

4. Exceptional talent only: A second letter containing an objective assessment of your talent in the field. The author of this letter must be an additional eminent person who is a senior member of a reputable UK organisation concerned with research or innovation in your field. This person must be qualified to independently assess your claim of exceptional talent in your field and be able to comment independently and authoritatively on your application. Full details of what the letter should include can be found below.

• View the eligibility criteria and guidance for Route 4 Peer review on the Royal Society's website