It is possible to go to the UK in search of work without a work visa. How? With the help of the UK Global Talent Visa, allowing talented expats to work legally in the country for five years! Such a visa can be obtained by a foreigner who is a professional in one of the following areas:
- Scientific industry, including research activities,
- IT technologies and the digital industry,
- Pedagogy in universities and institutions for secondary education,
- Development of innovative technologies and production,
- Workers in the cultural sector, including actors, musicians, designers.
What are the advantages of this visa?
The UK Global Talent Visa opens doors to different fields for a foreign guest. When a specialist from another country comes to the UK on a work visa, he must work in the country only in his professional field, but holders of the UK Global Talent Visa can change jobs at any time, work for themselves and even develop their business in the UK.
The starting conditions simplify the collection of documents: you do not need confirmation of maintenance from a foreign employer, there are no requirements for the level of a certain salary. Also for specialists working with artificial intelligence and for experts in the field of cybersecurity, there is a simplified and accelerated processing of visa documents.
UK Global Talent Visa holders can bring their spouse and children under 18 years of age, as well as dependent children of any age. Applications for family member visas can be submitted at the same time as the main applicant for the UK Global Talent Visa.
After 3 or 5 years, you can apply for other residence permits.
What are the requirements for applicants in 2025?
- An applicant for a UK Global Talent Visa must first obtain approval from one of the official UK structures that are responsible for different professional areas. IT professionals must verify their identity through Tech Nation, engineers through the Royal Academy of Engineering, arts and culture through Arts Council England, and educators and academics through UKRI and the British Academy.
- Next, potential visa holders must provide the commission with their portfolio with awards and achievements that prove that they are truly outstanding representatives of their field. These can be diplomas, medals, publications in prestigious thematic editions, indicators of influence on the industry, documents on the creation of public projects, etc.
- Along with the existing merits, foreigners must describe their future prospects in relation to the UK: what they plan to do in the country as holders of the UK Global Talent Visa.
- And, of course, candidates must provide certificates of no criminal record.
- In some cases, the commission additionally requests confirmation of basic knowledge of the English language.
During the visa application process, a foreigner must pay fees such as:
- Applying – £524,
- Visa fee – £192,
- Medical annual service – £1035,
- Registration of applications for spouses and children – £716 per person.
2 main stages of applying for a visa
Stage No1:
- Confirm their qualifications through an official British structure that matches the applicant's profile,
- Submit a package of documents, including achievements, plans and certificates, to the commission,
- Pay the application fee,
- Wait for approval in two to eight weeks or less.
Stage No2:
- Submit an online application through the UK Home Office,
- Pay the visa fee and immigration fee for the year,
- Submit biometric data.
What changes have appeared in 2025?
- From this year, UK Global Talent Visa holders must obtain Electronic Travel Authorization or ETA status before entering the country. You can undergo the procedure online.
- The procedure for considering applications from employees in the fields of cybersecurity and AI has been accelerated - their documents are considered no longer than three weeks.
- Commissions related to employees of the IT sector and the cultural sphere have become more thorough and meticulous in considering candidates' applications: the requirements for documents and awards that confirm the uniqueness of candidates in their professional areas have increased, the presence of international awards, patents and significant research results is welcome.
- The price of the visa fee has increased by 10%, and the fee for medical care for expats has also increased.
