Global Talent Endorsement Application and Visa Application Explained

What is the Global Talent Visa (GTV)?

The Global Talent Visa (GTV) is a UK immigration route for individuals who are recognised or emerging leaders in their field. This includes applicants in academia or research, digital technology, and arts and culture. Unlike many other work-based routes, it does not require a job offer or a sponsor, and can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in three or five years. It replaced the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa in February 2020.

Why Choose the Global Talent Route?

The Global Talent route is designed to attract individuals with exceptional talent or exceptional promise. Endorsed applicants are granted significant flexibility:

• No job sponsorship requirement
• Right to work (including self-employment and run your own business)
• Accelerated route to settlement (3 or 5 years depending on endorsement)
• Option to bring dependants
• Lower Visa Application Fees
• Flexible in choosing the length of your visa, initially up to five years

Global Talent Stage I: Endorsement Application or Qualifying Prize 

1. Global Talent: Endorsement-Based Application

Most applicants must first obtain endorsement from a Home Office-approved endorsing body. Each endorsing body applies their distinct criteria. Generally, applicants must demonstrate a strong record of achievement and recognition by peers or industry leaders. Applicants must be endorsed under one of two categories:

• Exceptional Talent: if you are considered an established leader in your industry
• Exceptional Promise: if you are considered as an emerging leader in your industry

There are four endorsing bodies currently accept endorsement applications. Arts Council England accept applications on behalf of the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT), the British Fashion Council (BFC) and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). If your discipline is covered by PACT, BFC or RIBA, your application will be transferred by Arts Council England to the relevant organisation for a specialist assessment.

• Arts Council England – for arts, culture, architecture, fashion, film & TV
• Tech Nation – for digital technology professionals
• The Royal Society, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering – for science, engineering, and humanities
• UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) – for science, engineering, humanities, social science and medicine research posts 

2. Global Talent: Winner of a Prestigious Prize

If you have received an award listed under Global Talent eligible prize lists, you can apply for the Global Talent visa without an endorsement and apply directly for a visa. To be eligible for this route:

• the prize must be named on the list – other prizes awarded by the same institutions are not eligible
• you must be the named winner of the prize

Global Talent Visa Extension Requirements

You may extend your Global Talent Visa an unlimited number of times. To qualify for an extension:

• You must have earned money in your endorsed field (or field of your prestigious prize).
• Your endorsing body must not have withdrawn your endorsement.
• You must not fall for refusal under the General Grounds for Refusal.

ILR Under the Global Talent Visa Route

How does the Accelerated Settlement Work?

The Global Talent Visa offers one of the most flexible and attractive pathways to settlement in the UK. Depending on the type of endorsement or award you hold, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after only 3 years of residence, rather than the standard 5-year period.

When Can Global Talent Visa Holders Apply for ILR After 3 Years?

Global Talent visa holders may be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 3 years if:

• you were endorsed by the Royal Society, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering or UKRI; or
• you were endorsed under the exceptional talent criteria by Arts Council England or Tech Nation; or
• you were granted initial application using a prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes.

Can Time Spent in Other Visa Categories Count?

Yes. Time spent in other eligible visa categories can be combined with time under the Global Talent route to meet the 3-year residence requirement, provided your final year is spent on the Global Talent Visa under a qualifying route. Eligible categories include:

• Global Talent; or
• Innovator Founder; or
• Skilled Worker; or
• T2 Minister of Religion; or
• International Sportsperson; or
• Tier 1, other than Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur); or
• Scale-up; or
• Representative of an Overseas Business

Example: An applicant who held a Skilled Worker visa for two years and then switched to a Global Talent visa endorsed by UKRI could apply for ILR after just one further year on the Global Talent route.

5-Year Route to ILR: Exceptional Promise

Applicants endorsed under the exceptional promise criteria (Arts Council or Tech Nation) are eligible for ILR after 5 years of continuous residence, provided they meet all other requirements.

What is the Global Talent’s Continuous Residence Requirement?

To qualify for ILR, Global Talent visa holders must satisfy the continuous residence requirement. This means you must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period. However, absences related to international research activities (for those endorsed in science, engineering, or research roles) may be exempt.

Applying for the Global Talent Visa from Outside the UK

If you are currently based outside the UK, you may submit your Global Talent Visa application through the nearest UK Visa Application Centre after receiving a valid endorsement or holding an eligible prestigious prize. You can choose a visa duration of 1 to 5 years, depending on your plans and budget. This flexibility also reduces your Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) if you are not intending to stay long term.

Switching to the Global Talent Visa from Inside the UK

You can also apply to switch into the Global Talent route from within the UK, provided you are not currently in the UK under one of the following ineligible categories:

• Visitor
• Short-term Student
• Parent of a Child Student
• Seasonal Worker
• Domestic Worker in a Private Household
• Leave Outside the Immigration Rules

If you are in a different visa category (e.g. Skilled Worker, Student, Graduate, Spouse/Partner), you may switch into the Global Talent route without needing to leave the UK.

Can I Bring My Family Members on Global Talent Visa?

Global Talent visa holders can bring their Spouse, Civil Partner or Unmarried Partner.  They can also bring children under 18, or if their children were under 18 when they were last granted entry clearance or permission to stay as the dependent child of their parent(s) and meet other independent life, care and relationship requirements under Appendix Children.

Global Talent Visa (GTV) Application Processing Time 

Endorsement applications usually take up to 8 weeks. Visa applications from inside the UK may be processed within 8 weeks or 3 weeks if you are outside the UK. You may opt for using the ‘priority service’ to get a decision within 5 working days subject to availability.

It is important to note that the visa application must be made within 3 months of receiving the endorsement letter.

How Can Angelov Solicitors Help With Your Global Talent Application?

At Angelov Solicitors, our support for Global Talent Visa applicants is comprehensive, strategically tailored, and rooted in a deep understanding of the Immigration Rules, endorsement policies, and Home Office practice.

Step 1. Personalised Eligibility Assessment & Endorsement Route Mapping

We begin with a detailed consultation to understand your background, career achievements, and future plans in the UK. We advise you on:

• Whether you should apply as Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise
• Which endorsing body best aligns with your profile
• Whether you may be eligible to apply directly under the Prestigious Prizes route

• The most efficient timeline to ILR and how to structure your application accordingly

Step 2.Legal Interpretation of Immigration Rules & Endorsing Body Guidance

We interpret the Immigration Rules, the Home Office guidance, and endorsing body criteria relevant to your field. We translate this legal and technical framework into actionable requirements so you fully understand:

• What is expected of you,
• What documentary evidence will be required, and
• How to tailor your case to meet the published guidance.

Step 3.Evidence Preparation & Document Strategy

This is where your narrative and evidence are shaped into a coherent, persuasive application. We:

• Advise in detail on every required document – including letters of recommendation, evidence of work and impact on your industry;
• Review each document to ensure consistency with the endorsement criteria and eliminate technical weaknesses;
• Provide detailed feedback, editorial commentary, and guidance on necessary amendments to bring each piece of evidence to the required legal standard.

Your application materials will be curated, structured, and prepared to reflect both sufficiency and credibility.

Step 4. Endorsement Application Submission

We assemble a well-organised, sectioned application bundle, presenting your case in a format aligned with the expectations of the endorsing body. We then act as your agent for correspondence throughout the endorsement stage – managing all communications, responding to any further information requests, and proactively liaising with the endorsing body to ensure procedural transparency.

Our goal is to position your application for success and remain engaged until a decision is issued.

Step 5. Visa Stage & Ongoing Support

Following a successful endorsement, we prepare and assist with submitting your Stage 2 visa application, ensuring consistency between your visa forms and endorsement content, advising on the scope of permission sought (1-5 years), and supporting any dependant applications. We also ensure the application meets technical formatting, eligibility, and submission requirements to prevent avoidable refusals or delays.

You will also receive full guidance on biometric enrolment, eVisa access, and next steps after grant of leave.