Global Talent: one visa, four routes to endorsement
There are four routes to obtaining endorsement for a Global Talent visa in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, the social sciences and the humanities.
The workflow below will help you identify which route may be most appropriate. You are encouraged to review all endorsement options before making an application.
Find out which route applies to you
Answer the questions below to determine which Global Talent Visa route is most relevant for your situation.
Q. Have you accepted the offer of a job at an approved higher education institute or research institution where you will be responsible for:
- Academic, research or innovation leadership and development, or
- Directing or leading an individual or team, in a research or innovation project or programme of work
YES ⮞
NO ⮟
ROUTE 1: Academic & Research appointments
You’ll need a job description and a statement of guarantee from the Human Resources Director or equivalent at the employing institution confirming that certain recruitment and role requirements were met to support your application for a fast-track visa.
Q. Have you been awarded an eligible individual fellowship?
You must currently hold - or have held within the past five years - one of the named fellowships listed.
YES ⮞
NO ⮟
ROUTE 2: Individual fellowships
You must submit a copy of the award letter as part of your fast-track visa application.
Please note: Eligibility for the individual fellowships route opens on the date that the award letter is issued and closes five years after the fellowship has ended.
Q. Are you working on a research grant issued by an UKRI-approved endorsed funder?
You, as an individual, or your role is named in a successful grant application from an endorsed funder, and your employing or host institution also appears on UKRI’s approved lists.
YES ⮞
NO ⮟
ROUTE 3: Endorsed funders
Eligibility extends to individuals who fulfil the following criteria:
- Principal investigator (P.I.), co-investigators (Co I.) and team roles stated in the grant application at graduate level and above
- You spend at least 50% of your time fulfilling the grant conditions (principal investigators or co-investigators who hold multiple grants may demonstrate 50% in aggregate)
- You have at least one year left on your employment contract or hosting agreement.
- The grant awarded was £30,000 or more, with a minimum grant duration of 24 months.
You need to submit both the award letter and a statement of guarantee from the employing or host institution as part of your application for a fast-track visa.
Q. Have you answered no to the above questions?
YES ⮞
ROUTE 4: Peer review
If none of the above routes apply then you may be eligible for Route 4.
Check the eligibility and assessment criteria for a standard endorsement and apply for peer review.
'Exceptional talent and promise' applications are reviewed by the British Academy for the humanities and social sciences, the Royal Academy of Engineering for engineering, and the Royal Society for natural and medical sciences.
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Page last updated: 14 May 2024