Global Talent Visa extension

When applying for a visa, all global talent visa applicants may select a period of up to five years. There is no maximum length of stay in the United Kingdom; a visa holder only makes an extension for an additional stay before BRP expires.

Extension Requirement

The applicant can apply for an extension if they satisfy the following conditions.

• The endorsing body has not withdrawn its approval in case the application was processed based on an endorsement. Although Global Talent applicants must show that they have not had their endorsement withdrawn by their endorsing body, there are no documentary requirements to demonstrate that applicants for settlement on the Global Talent route are still endorsed by the relevant endorsing body. The Home Office will have been notified by the endorsing body if an applicant was no longer endorsed, and the Home Office will therefore conduct their own internal checks.
• The award has not been withdrawn in case the application was processed based on an eligible award.
• An applicant must demonstrate that they have earned money in the UK during their last period of permission in the field in which they were previously endorsed on the Global Talent route. Applicants may have been employed or self-employed, and they need not have been for the entirety of their grant of leave, provided they can show that money was earned.

When can global talent visa holders apply for ILR?

Consider applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if you hold a Global Talent visa and have lived in the United Kingdom continuously for three or five years. The quantity of time you must have spent in the United Kingdom depends on how your visa was endorsed. The earliest time you can apply for ILR from a Global Talent visa is 28 days before you meet the 3 or 5-year residence requirement. While Global Talent ILR applicants must still be endorsed, there is no need to provide evidence of this fact. Where endorsement is withdrawn for any reason, the Home Office will automatically be informed by the endorsing body.

The amount of time you must have spent in the United Kingdom under the Global Talent visa category depends on your specific circumstances. If you have been endorsed under the 'exceptional talent' criteria for an endorsing body, under the 'exceptional promise' criteria for the endorsing bodies for science, engineering, humanities, and medicine, or under the UKRI "endorsed funder" fast-track criteria, you may settle in this category after three years.

If you were previously endorsed under the "exceptional promise" criteria for Arts Council England or Tech Nation, you must spend five years continuously in the United Kingdom before you are eligible to apply for settlement.

Global Talent Visa ILR requirement

The applicant can apply for ILR if they satisfy the following conditions.

Still, be endorsed by the approved endorsing body

Similar to the terms of the extension, an endorsement must not be withdrawn by the endorsing body and, if a global talent visa has been granted on the basis of an eligible award, the award must not be withdrawn.

Have met the 3 or 5-year UK continuous residence requirements

The continuous residence requirement is met if the applicant has spent the qualifying unbroken continuous residence period required by their route lawfully in the UK. To meet the continuous residence requirement you must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period.

The Immigration Rules state:

“Where the applicant was endorsed by The Royal Society, The Royal Academy of Engineering, The British Academy of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), any absence linked to their permission to stay (such as a scientist undertaking research overseas), does not count as an absence, regardless of its length.”

Therefore, Global Talent migrants who hold leave following endorsement by one of the endorsing bodies for science, engineering, humanities, and medicine and who have conducted overseas research directly related to their grant of leave will not be counted for such absences when they apply for settlement.

Have earned money in the UK in a relevant field

As a Global Talent visa holder, you must demonstrate that you have earned income in the United Kingdom in order to qualify for ILR. Importantly, you must demonstrate that the money you earned was related to the field for which you were previously endorsed or to an eligible prize you won (depending on how you initially qualified for your visa). In this regard, there is no minimum income requirement, and there is no specific evidence to support this. Examples of acceptable evidence include pay slips, a letter from your employer confirming your income, and funding information from a research institution.

Meet the English language requirements

Although there is no English language requirement to enter or extend in the Global Talent visa category, for settlement on the Global Talent route you must show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in speaking and listening to at least level B1.

It is possible to rely on an English language test from a Secure English Language Test provider, on a degree awarded in the UK, or on a degree taught in English from an overseas institution if this is accompanied by a proven confirmation from UK NARIC. The confirmation must confirm that the qualification meets or exceeds the recognised degree standard awarded in the UK and, if not taught in a majority English-speaking country, that the degree was taught or researched in English.

Pass the Life in the UK test

Applicants who wish to settle in the UK under the Global Talent category will also need to complete the Life in the UK test.

For expert advice regarding the requirements for extension or settlement in the UK as a Global Talent visa category, contact us at 0203 865 6219 or leave a message.