Global Talent Visa – Post Brexit Changes

The Home Office will launch a new fast-track immigration offer for selected individuals with skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, building on the existing Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa route.

This initiative will ensure that those with specialist skills in STEM subjects can come to the UK and make an important contribution to our leading science and research sector, significantly enhancing the intellectual and knowledge base of the UK.

Benefits of new scheme:

1. Expanding the pool of UK research institutes and universities able to endorse candidates

      2.  Creating criteria that confer automatic endorsement, subject to immigration checks

      3. Abolishing the cap on numbers under the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visas

Home Office will cancel the cap on numbers for candidates who would like to apply on this scheme and gives great opportunity for each applicant to obtain UK visa and contribute their skills into scientific and technological fields.

4. Obtain Settlement at the end of three years of stay in the UK

The new scheme will provide eligible individuals with a three-year visa, during which they can come and go from the UK at will. At the end of three years, those on the scheme would be able apply for indefinite leave to remain/Settlement.

5. No minimum Salary and No Job Offer

There will be no minimum salary requirement and individuals do not need to secure a job before arriving in the UK.

6. Bring your spouse and children

Individuals will be able to bring dependants (spouses/partners and children), with adult dependants having full access to the labour market.

Global Talent Visa – Frequently Asked Questions

 Is this a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent route?

Yes. Home Office will be re-branding the entire Tier 1 Exceptional Talent route to recognise our desire to attract global talent.

What are the key changes?

This new offer will ensure that those with specialist skills in STEM subjects can come to the UK and make an important contribution to our leading science and research sectors, significantly enhancing the intellectual and knowledge base of the UK.

Home Office proposes to do this by substantially and radically expanding the operation of the existing Tier 1 Exceptional Talent route. This will include:

• Reviewing the existing Exceptional Talent selection criteria to open it up to individuals who are integral to scientific / research teams;
• Removing the requirement for those endorsed as Exceptional Promise to have been awarded a prestigious Research Fellowship;
• Opening up the route to those who have received European research funding;
• Re-branding the route to recognise our desire to attract global talent; and
• Uncapping the route, to ensure that those with the required skill-set would be able to secure places

Will individuals have to meet a salary threshold? Will they be exempt from the salary threshold when this is brought in under the future immigration system?

 No, people coming under this new offer do not need to meet a minimum salary threshold.

Home Office do not propose to introduce a minimum salary requirement on this route in the future skills-based immigration system.

What will the fees be for this new route? How will you ensure this cost is obtainable for people wishing to come to the UK?

Fees will reflect the existing fee structure within the immigration system.

Visa fees are set to ensure that those who benefit from the immigration system meet the costs of running that system and to reduce the burden on general taxation.

Home Office will consider the fees in the round as part of our longer-term review of funding the immigration system.

How do these costs compare to other visa costs?

These are comparable to other costs for skilled workers coming to the UK.

Will the costs be borne by the individual or can they be paid for by the institution?

That will be a matter for the migrant and the endorsing body.

Will they have to pay the immigration health surcharge?

All of those coming to the UK for more than six months are required to pay the health surcharge. That gives them full access to the services of the NHS.

Will individuals coming under this route be able to bring dependants and, if so, will those dependants be able to work?

Yes. As is the case currently under this route, individuals can bring dependants – spouses/partners and children under 18. Dependants hold very flexible leave and can work or study while they are here.

Will the new scheme be open to both EU and non-EU nationals?

Yes, this will be a global offer. However, for the moment, EU citizens will continue benefit from free movement.

As the Prime Minister has made clear, our future immigration system will prioritise all those people who can and will add significant value to the UK and we will give top priority to those with the highest skills and the greatest talents. The focus will be on the skills and talents people have and not their nationality.

How long do you envisage this scheme lasting?

We want this to be the start of an ongoing scheme but will ensure that we keep the route and its usage under review – including to monitor uptake.

Will you bring this forward with or without a deal?

Yes, the route will be launched regardless of the terms of the UK leaving the EU.

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