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Table of Contents
Introduction to Global Talent Visa
Global Talent Visa promises individuals with a specific skillset to live and work in the United Kingdom. For all researchers, engineers, artists, or tech-savvy individuals, this visa is your ticket to residency in the UK with fewer restrictions than other work visas.
There are two stages to this process. First, you need to secure an endorsement from a recognised authority that backs the validity of your experience. Once this stage is complete, the individual can formally apply to the Home Office for the visa.
In this blog, we will focus on the process to maximise your chance of success, endorsement bodies, who can apply, mistakes to avoid, and the documents required to apply for the procedure.
Who Can Apply for a Global Talent Visa?
This is a niche-based category visa for individuals over 18 years old with smart skills in academia or research, arts and culture, and technology. Candidates applying must be recognised as exceptional leaders in their niche or have the potential to become one.
The number of applications eligible for the Global Talent Visa every year is not limited, and the rule also allows specific prize winners to bypass the endorsement stage.
However, you will need to show high-profile awards (e.g., the Brit Award) to be allowed to bypass the endorsement stage; otherwise, every individual must secure the Global Talent Visa endorsement before applying for the visa.
Endorsement
Endorsements are only acceptable from authentic bodies that can demonstrate that the applicant is a stable leader with great talents or an emerging leader who promises a bright future in the following fields:
- Academia and Research: Endorsements are assessed by authentic bodies like the British Academy, the Royal Society, or the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
- Digital Tech: Renowned body Tech Nation assesses the applications for those who want to contribute to the digital niches like FinTech or Software Development.
- Arts and Culture: The Arts Council England and similar bodies working under legal authority give all endorsements.
Applicants must provide evidence that includes achievements and expertise in their fields.
High Profile Prizes
Applications holding Home Office-specified high-profile prizes like the Booker Prize, Brit Award, or the Fields Medal are qualified to move to the next stage, bypassing the endorsements, and simply applying for the visa. You can check out the official prestigious prizes list of immigration rules for the Global Talent Visa on the UK government website.
Relevant read: UK Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules [2025]
Approved Endorsing Bodies for Global Talent Visa
The approval from endorsing bodies for your promising future talent needs to be obtained before sending your application for Global Talent Visa consideration. The UK government has allocated multiple endorsing organisations for specific sectors, for example:
- UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – For all research-related fields through job offers or fellowships.
- Arts Council England – For the arts and culture, and sub-endorsees:
- British Fashion Council (BFC) – For fashion design
- Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) – For architecture
- Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) – For film and television
- Barclays Eagle Labs – For digital technology-related endorsements
- The Royal Society – For medical science related
- The British Academy – For social and human sciences
- The Royal Academy of Engineering – For engineering endorsements
Every endorsing body has its own criteria and guidelines. You must finalise which endorsing body best suits your niche and the requirements for which you must be endorsed successfully. To check all the requirements listed by the endorsing bodies per the Home Office Global Talent visa guide, visit GOV.UK.
To give you an example, applicants who get endorsement in the field of arts and culture must be professional enough to showcase their work in a way that can be presented globally. They should have been professionally active for the last five years and have a good track record in multiple countries, or even a promising track record in multiple countries.
For academia or research applicants, the endorsement is carried out through peer review, which is provided as evidence of the contributions made in the field. The criteria for endorsement include holding a research grant approved by a UK funder, a fellowship, a job offer in academia, or research that meets UKRI requirements.
If your skillset is not eligible for qualification through an endorsement body, you can still apply and be qualified for other visa types.
How to Apply for Global Talent Visa Endorsement
The process for Global Talent Visa endorsement involves two stages:
- Endorsement application
- Visa application
In stage 1, applicants must get their endorsement from the relevant Home Office endorsing body and verify their talent and skills. All applications are submitted online. The applications for digital technology are also now assessed by the Barclays Eagle Labs.
The endorsement decision relies on the criteria every assessing body sets, which follows the ‘Code of Practice for Endorsing Bodies’ listed on the Gov website. The applications are usually processed within 8 weeks. The timeline varies depending on the endorsing body and application. Be sure to apply months before your visa expires if you want to switch to this visa.
The next stage is applying for the visa once you are approved by an endorsing body. Applications should be submitted within 3 months of receiving the endorsement. The visa fee is approximately £766, £561 for stage-1, and £205 for stage-2. Applications eligible to bypass the endorsement also pay the same fee.
Supporting Documents Checklist for Endorsement
The supporting documents are required by the endorsing bodies to determine that applicants are internationally recognised as leaders or have exceptional talent to become one. The checklist for the Global Talent visa depends on the applicant’s chosen field.
You will need to assess all the requirements and apply accordingly. For endorsements related to arts and culture, there are three recommendations required:
- Two from arts and culture organisations that acknowledge the applicant as an expert, one from within the UK, and one from a renowned arts and culture organisation or an individual who is recognised in the field.
Applicants who showcase a promising future in their relevant field must provide evidence of their recognition for exceptional work in their own country or another country by showcasing:
- Winnings, nominations, or shortlistings for any international award or excellence.
- Evidence from one country with proof of any appearances, performances, publications, or exhibitions, along with any audience or distribution of the applicant.
Already Have Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Endorsement?
Applicants who already have an endorsement through their previous Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) route and currently work in the UK in a relevant niche can apply to extend their grant of leave as per the Global Talent visa. This applies only if your current endorsement is still active in the list of endorsing bodies.
You will not be required to apply to stage 1, but you will still need to show that you generated enough money from your previous grant of leave in the UK in your relevant field. There is no limit to the earnings if you can provide the evidence from a verified source.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying
To maximise your chances of success, there are multiple points you should avoid:
- Providing incomplete, weak, or disorganised documentation.
- Applying with generic recommendation letters that are not personalised as per the chosen niche.
- Submitting applications without any clarity, consistency, or promise of the future.
- Not following the exact guidelines of the assessing bodies, like UKRI and the Arts Council England, who keep on updating their guidelines.
The applicant is responsible for ensuring and cross-checking the documents with their relevant endorsement bodies.
Benefits of the Global Talent Visa
Applying for the Global Talent visa benefits applicants wishing to use the UK immigration routes. Some of the key benefits include:
- Flexibility to change employers
- No job offer requirement
- Eligibility to apply for an indefinite leave to remain after 3+ years
- Can bring dependants to the UK
- No limitation on the number of issued visas
- Can work in academia and relevant industries and run their start-ups
- Not bound to stay with a sponsor, which increases their target marketing and allows more career offerings
Global Talent Visa Endorsement FAQs
If you meet the eligibility and endorsement criteria, you can change your visa type from any other visa to the Global Talent Visa.
The fee for the endorsement application is non-refundable regardless of your application status.
As of 2025, the application fee for the endorsement visa is £456, whereas the visa application for the healthcare surcharge is charged separately.
The applicants can bring their dependents, including spouses/partners, along with children as dependents.
The applicants are free to work for any employer they choose or even be self-employed.
How to Get Endorsement for Global Talent Visa
Getting your Global Talent Visa endorsement is the most challenging part of the application process. You should review all the eligibility criteria carefully before choosing endorsing bodies for global talent visas and submit quality evidence that helps you stand out.
No matter where you are applying from, endorsements will open the gates to your immigration in the UK. Applicants from science and technology, arts, or other areas can get an indefinite leave to remain and work in the UK.
If you are unsure about the criteria, eligibility, or how to arrange the visa documents and make your application strong, it’s always advisable to consult with a UK immigration lawyer. Book your first free consultation with Legend Consults today!
The UK Home Office introduced the Global Talent Visa in 2020 to attract the best talent globally in fields such as science, engineering, medicine, and technology.
The change was made to simplify the process, increase eligibility, and support the UK’s vision to become the next global hub for talent and innovation, a move specially made post-Brexit. Let’s learn more about how to apply and the requirements for the Global Talent Visa endorsement.
