Global Talent Visa endorsement
To be considered for entry under the Global Talent visa, applicants must normally seek endorsement from one of six endorsing bodies engaged by the UK Home Office.
If you are applying for endorsement in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, the social sciences or the humanities, or for other academic and research roles, the Home Office will refer your application to one of the following bodies who will make an endorsement decision based on the evidence you provide:
- The British Academy
- Royal Academy of Engineering
- The Royal Society
- UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
If you are applying for endorsement in non-academic fields of arts, culture or digital technology, you application will be referred to one of the following bodies who will follow separate endorsement criteria:
If endorsement is granted, the final immigration decision rests with the Home Office.
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How to get endorsed
There are four routes open to obtaining endorsement for a Global Talent visa in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, the social sciences and the humanities:
Academic & Research appointments
For individuals who have been appointed to an eligible academic or research position at an approved UK higher education institution (HEI) or research institute.Individual fellowships
For applicants who have been awarded an individual fellowship on the list approved by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society.Endorsed funders
For researchers and specialists whose name or job title is specified in a successful grant application from an endorsed funder approved by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).Peer review
For individuals who wish to be considered for endorsement by peer review undertaken by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering or the Royal Society.ROUTES OPTION 1
Academic & Research appointments
For individuals appointed to an eligible academic or research position at an approved UK higher education institution (HEI) or research institute.
Individual fellowships
For applicants who have been awarded an individual fellowship on the list approved by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society.
Endorsed funders
For researchers and specialists whose name or job title is specified in a successful grant application from an endorsed funder approved by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Peer review
For individuals who wish to be considered for endorsement by peer review undertaken by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering or the Royal Society.
ROUTES OPTION 2
Academic & Research appointments
For individuals appointed to an eligible academic or research position at an approved UK higher education institution (HEI) or research institute.
Individual fellowships
For applicants who have been awarded an individual fellowship on the list approved by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society.
Endorsed funders
For researchers and specialists whose name or job title is specified in a successful grant application from an endorsed funder approved by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Peer review
For individuals who wish to be considered for endorsement by peer review undertaken by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering or the Royal Society.
ROUTES OPTION 3
ROUTE 1
Academic & Research appointments
For individuals appointed to an eligible academic or research position at an approved UK higher education institution (HEI) or research institute.
ROUTE 2
Individual fellowships
For applicants who have been awarded an individual fellowship on the list approved by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society.
ROUTE 3
Endorsed funders
For researchers and specialists whose name or job title is specified in a successful grant application from an endorsed funder approved by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
ROUTE 4
Peer review
For individuals who wish to be considered for endorsement by peer review undertaken by the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering or the Royal Society.
Holders of certain prestigious prizes can apply for a visa without going through the initial endorsement stage. The list of eligible awards, and further information, can be found at GOV.UK: Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes.
How to apply
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FAQs
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Page last updated: 18 July 2025
Important Notices
The following is essential information for anyone applying for a Global Talent Visa.
These notices set out the standards and expectations of all endorsing bodies and are designed to protect the integrity of the process for every applicant.
Before submitting an application, it is crucial that you read and fully understand these notices to ensure your submission meets the required criteria and avoids unnecessary delays or rejection.
We kindly remind all applicants that the integrity of the Global Talent Visa endorsement process is of utmost importance to the Endorsing Bodies and the submission of false information or documents will not be tolerated.
All Endorsing Bodies conduct thorough due diligence and cross-checks on every application received by the Home Office.
Please ensure that all information you provide is accurate, honest, and verifiable.
If any evidence submitted in your mandatory documents is found to be fraudulent, misleading, or raises serious concerns about its legitimacy, your application may be considered ineligible.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Misrepresentation of professional experience, responsibilities, or job titles (noted in your CV and application form).
- Altered timelines of employment or project involvement.
- Misleading or falsified academic or professional qualifications, degrees or certificates (including altered transcripts or forged diplomas).
- Fabricated certificates or qualifications from unrecognised or non-existent institutions.
- False claims regarding contributions to projects or companies.
- False or exaggerated claims regarding prizes, awards, patents, fellowships, achievements, or publications.
- Fabricated letters of support or references (including falsified letterheads, logos, signatures, doctored images and documents).
If an application includes false, altered, or misleading information or documents, this will be reported to the Home Office. This applies whether or not the application is successful.
The Global Talent visa (GTV) research endorsing bodies have recently noticed a substantial increase in the number of poor-quality applications for GTV endorsement.
You must ensure that you meet all the criteria for a GTV endorsement, as set out by your selected endorsing body, before submitting an application to the Home Office on GOV.UK.
Poor-quality applications are defined as, but are not limited to:
- Submission of extensive evidence that is not relevant to the endorsement decision
- Applications submitted at a premature career stage, without sufficient evidence that the relevant criteria are met
Please consider your application carefully. You will not be reimbursed if your endorsement application is unsuccessful.
The submission of poor-quality applications increases the workload of both Home Office and the GTV endorsing bodies, which increases the time it takes us to endorse suitable applicants.
If you have any questions on the evidence required for endorsement, please discuss this with your employer/ host in the first instance. If you employer/ host is unable to answer your questions, please email [email address of relevant EB].