Global Talent visa

The Global Talent visa is for people who are leaders, or potential leaders, in one of three fields: academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology. You must be at least 18 years old.

Your route in is either a listed prize or an endorsement, which the next section explains.

There are two routes. If you are the named winner of an eligible prestigious prize on the official list, you can apply for the visa directly without an endorsement. Prizes that are not named on the list do not count, even if the same institutions award them.

If you have not won a listed prize, you first need an endorsement that shows you are a leader or potential leader in your field. After you have the endorsement, you apply for the visa. GOV.UK has a separate page for each field, covering researchers and academic leaders, digital technology and arts and culture, so read the page for yours.

The total cost for one person is £766. How you pay depends on your route:

• Endorsement route: £561 for the endorsement, then £205 for the visa.
• Prize route: the full £766 with the visa application.

Each partner or child included in the application pays £766. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is usually £1,035 per year for each person applying.

After you apply online, prove your identity and provide your documents, you usually get a decision within 3 weeks from outside the UK, or 8 weeks from inside the UK. A faster decision may be available for an extra fee. You may need an appointment to prove your identity, which can add time.

You can stay for up to 5 years at a time. When you extend, you choose the length, from 1 to 5 years, and there is no overall limit on how long you can stay in the UK.

You may be able to apply for settlement, also called indefinite leave to remain, after 3 or 5 years. The timing depends on your field and how you applied, so check the settlement rules for your case on GOV.UK.

Your partner and children can be included in your application. Each of them pays £766, and each pays the healthcare surcharge.

• Check whether you qualify through the prize route or need an endorsement.
• If you need one, apply for the endorsement and pay the £561 fee.
• Apply online for the visa. Pay £205 if you have an endorsement, or £766 on the prize route.
• Prove your identity and upload your documents. Attend an appointment if you are asked to.
• Pay the healthcare surcharge as part of the application.
• Wait for a decision.

You can also apply from outside the UK, extend your visa, or switch from another visa. Choose the option that matches where you are.