Apply for the Global Talent visa

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Switch to this visa

You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Global Talent visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa.

Your partner or children will need to apply separately to switch their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

You should apply before your current visa expires.

Eligibility

To switch to a Global Talent visa you must be in the UK and have either:

  • won an eligible award
  • proven that you are a leader or potential leader in one of the fields covered by the visa - this is also called getting an endorsement

If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must also have either:

  • completed the course you were sponsored to study
  • studied for a PhD for at least 24 months

If you’re applying for an endorsement

The fields you must prove you’re a leader or potential leader in are:

You must apply to switch to the Global Talent visa within 3 months of getting an endorsement.

You cannot apply for the visa if the organisation that endorsed you has withdrawn its approval.

Who cannot apply to switch to this visa

You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you’re currently in the UK in one of the following circumstances:

You must leave the UK and apply for a Global Talent visa from abroad if you’re in one of these categories.

How long you can stay

You can choose how long you want to apply for, up to 5 years at a time.

After you apply, you can stay in the UK until you get your decision.

If you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you do not need to apply for a visa.

If you want to stay longer in the UK

You may be able to get indefinite leave to remain so you can settle in the UK after 3 or 5 years, depending on which field you work in and how you apply. This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.

Fees

Switching to a Global Talent visa costs £716.

If you’re applying based on an endorsement, you’ll pay the £716 in two parts:

  • £524 when you apply for the endorsement
  • £192 when you apply for the visa itself

If you’re applying based on an eligible award, you’ll pay the full £716 when you apply for the visa.

Your partner and children must pay £716 each if they want to apply to travel with you or join you later in the UK.

You will need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken. There’s no fee for this.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

Proving your identity and giving supporting documents

As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity.

How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Apply to switch to a Global Talent visa

You must apply online.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Start now

Continue your application

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

Decisions are usually made within 8 weeks of your application date.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision - you’ll be told if you can when you apply.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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