The UK’s Global Talent route for researchers and academics

With the USA imposing huge fees for companies employing skilled foreign workers, the UK is attracting attention as a viable alternative for exceptional candidates, both from the USA, and the world over. Top politicians have suggested scientists in key sectors should relocate from the USA to the UK, and there are rumours of a reduction in visa fees in order to ‘attract the world's best scientists, academics and digital experts to the UK.’

One of the main immigration options available for such experts, is the Global Talent route. We explore this route below in more detail, for researchers and academics in particular.

What is the Global Talent route?

The Global Talent route is for exceptionally talented (world-leading) or exceptionally promising (potentially world-leading) applicants in a number of fields such as science, engineering, and humanities.

What can you do under the Global Talent route?

If granted permission under the Global Talent route, you can:

• Work for any employer
• Work as a director of a company
• Be self-employed
• Change jobs without notifying the Home Office
• Carry out voluntary work
• Study
• Extend your stay in the UK indefinitely, providing you continue to meet the requirements of the scheme

Most applicants can also progress to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settlement, after three years residence in the UK rather than the usual five years, providing they meet the requirements. This accelerated route unfortunately does not apply to dependants.

This route is therefore one of the most flexible and desirable immigration options for moving to, and living in, the UK. 

How do I apply?

There are two ways to apply for the route, either winning a prestigious prize, or obtaining an endorsement from the relevant ‘endorsing body’, confirming you are either exceptionally talented or exceptionally promising in the field.

This endorsing bodies include:

• British Academy – for humanities and social sciences
• Royal Academy of Engineering – for engineering
• Royal Society – for natural sciences and medical science research
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – for science and research

You must normally operate under specific disciplines, or for any discipline if applying under the UKRI option.

We have outlined the main endorsement options for academics and researchers below:

Endorsement route 1: Academic and research appointments
This applies to those who:

• have accepted a position at a UK higher education institution (HEI) or research institute; and
• have responsibility for academic, research, or innovation leadership and development; or
• direct or lead an individual or team:
  • research project or research programme of work; or
  • innovation project or innovation programme of work.

There are specific definitions of leadership and development, research projects, and innovation projects, which must be met, and require you to either hold a senior position or undertake genuinely novel work.

To apply under this option you must provide a job description of the position and a ‘statement of guarantee’ from the Director of Human Resources or equivalent. 

Endorsement route 2: Individual fellowships
This applies to those who hold a specified individual-based fellowship and lists are available on The Royal Society, The British Academy and the Royal Academy of Engineering pages.

You need to have been granted this fellowship in the previous five years and evidence of the fellowship award letter should be provided in support of the application.

Endorsement route 3: Endorsed funders/UKRI
This applies to those who:

• have their name specified or their job title specified in a successful grant application;
• will be hosted or employed in a UK research organisation named on the UKRI published list;
• are essential to the execution of a grant or award;
• the funder is approved by UKRI;
• the grant/award is worth a minimum of £30,000; and
• the grant/award covers a minimum period of two years.

You should ensure that the ‘endorsed funder’ is from the appropriate list and that you will be hosted or employed by one of the applicable organisations, which is a relatively broad list and includes HEIs, NHS Trusts, Hospitals, Boards, and GP Practices.

To apply under this option you must provide the grant award letter as well as a statement of guarantee from the Director of Human Resources, or an equivalent. This needs to meet specified requirements.

Endorsement route 4: Peer review
This option can be used by those who do not meet any of the above options. Applicants can apply as exceptional promise applicants if they are at an early stage of their career, or apply as an exceptional talent applicant if they are already world-leading.

This option applies to those who:

• are active researchers – often in a university, a research institute, or industry;
• have a PhD or equivalent research experience;
• can provide a letter of personal recommendation from an eminent person resident in the UK supporting the application; and
• can provide a second letter containing an objective assessment of the applicant’s talent, if applying under exceptional talent. The author must be an additional eminent person who is a senior member of a reputable UK organisation concerned with research or innovation in the relevant field.

If applying under this option you must provide a CV and a personal statement and list your various qualifications, experiences, and publications.

The endorsing body will consider your track record, career history, and contributions to the field, and the expected benefits of your presence in the UK.

The peer review route can often be the most difficult option to pursue and applicants should consider the evidence they provide and the case they make carefully. We will provide further details about this option in an upcoming article.

How can we help?

The Global Talent visa is one of the most flexible immigration options. You are not tied to a particular role or employer and can pursue your own interests.

The endorsement process can be challenging, as applicants must demonstrate that their work is world-leading or potentially world-leading.

Our team of immigration specialists can:

• Carry out a thorough review of your eligibility
• Offer hands-on support when preparing and submitting both your endorsement and immigration application
• Advise on the documents you need to ensure your application has the best chance of success.

If you would like assistance with a Global Talent application, or any other personal or business immigration matter, please contact a member of the team.