The Global Talent visa is for talented individuals from specific sectors who wish to work in the UK. Applicants must normally seek endorsement from one of six endorsing bodies engaged by the Home Office.

Applications for endorsement in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, the social sciences or the humanities, or for other academic and research roles, must be submitted to the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Applications for endorsement in non-academic fields of arts and culture and digital technology will be referred to Arts Council England or Tech Nation, which follow separate endorsement criteria.

Academic and research endorsement

Academics and researchers applying for endorsement must determine which of the following four routes is most suitable for their circumstances.

The Royal Society also offers a handy guide to selecting the right endorsement route.

Academic and research appointments

You can get fast-track endorsement if you have an eligible job offer as an academic or researcher at an approved UK higher education institution or research institute. King’s College is an approved institution. This route is administered by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society.

There are two categories of academic and research appointment:
- Academic, research or innovation leadership and development category
  
  This is for senior leadership roles. Typical duties may include strategy development and delivery and overseeing the management of staff and resources. Example roles include vice-chancellor/principal, pro vice-chancellor/vice-principal, dean/associate dean, head of school and research institute director.
- Direct or lead category
  
  This is for roles requiring the individual to act independently in initiating, planning and managing a research or innovation project or a programme of work without supervision. Entry level postdoctoral research positions are unlikely to be eligible.
Evidence of these criteria being met must be present in the post’s job description.
Individual fellowships

You can get fast-track endorsement if you have been awarded an individual fellowship on the list approved by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society. The fellowship must be held currently or within the last 12 months.
Endorsed funders

You can get fast-track endorsement if your name or job title is specified in a successful grant application from an endorsed funder approved by UKRI. To be eligible, you must be hosted or employed by an eligible institution approved by UKRI.

The grant must be worth a minimum of £30k and run for at least two years. You must have at least 12 months remaining on your employment contract at the point of application.
Peer review

This standard endorsement is for individuals who submit an application for full peer review by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering or Royal Society.

Application process

Once you have selected the appropriate route you should submit your stage 1 endorsement application, along with the relevant supporting documentation. Before you submit your application, please contact King’s immigration team (ukvi@kcl.ac.uk), who will advise you on your application.

Applications within the academic and research appointments route and the endorsed funders route require a letter of support from King’s HR Director. You can request this by emailing us at ukvi@kcl.ac.uk.

If your endorsement application is successful you’ll be notified via the email address you provided in your application form. You must then apply for the Global Talent Visa within three months of notification.

Applications for the Global Talent visa can be made inside and outside the UK.

Apply within the UK for the Global Talent visa.

Apply from outside the UK for the Global Talent visa.

Timelines

Endorsement applications are currently being processed within 1–2 weeks, barring any issues with the application.

Applications for the Global Talent visa are currently being processed within 3–4 weeks for applications made within the UK; and around 8 weeks for applications made outside the UK.

More information on Home Office processing times.

Fees

If you’re applying for the visa based on an endorsement, you’ll pay the visa fee in two parts. If you’re applying based on an eligible award, you’ll pay the full fee when you apply for the visa. The same fee applies to partners or children included in your application. You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

See the latest fees for applying for a Global Talent visa.

Calculate your immigration health surcharge.

Travel

Successful applicants coming from outside the UK will be granted a 30-day travel vignette in their passport. Given the current delays to Home Office processing times, applicants are strongly advised not to book any travel until they have been granted the travel vignette.

Please note that you should not enter the UK as a visitor or apply for entry clearance in any other category while the Global Talent visa application is in process, as this would invalidate and cancel the Global Talent application.

After your arrival in the UK, you should collect your BRP and arrange a ‘right to work’ check with your King’s HR contact.

Relocating to London

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Securing your visa

Accommodation

Money

Relocating with family

Health and wellbeing

Transport