The UK Government has today (20 February) launched a new Global Talent Visa. This visa introduces new routes for researchers to work and live in the UK.
Many of the existing ways of obtaining a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa will remain the same under the new Global Talent Visa. The main difference is the introduction of a new fast-track route. This allows UKRI to endorse fast-track applicants from the scientific and research community to be hosted or employed at a UKRI-approved UK research organisation.
As a UKRI-approved UK research organisation The Alan Turing Institute will be able to host or employ scientists and researchers under the new route. This will enable the Turing to access world class talent and continue its commitment to be an open, diverse research institute with an international outlook.
A Tier 1 Global Talent Visa means a researcher:
- Can move freely between organisations, locations, jobs and roles
- Does not have to receive a minimum salary to be eligible
- Can take on activities that are more difficult to undertake on other visas, such as collaborating with businesses
- Can apply for settlement once they have been in the UK for three years. Researchers who spend time outside of the UK for research purposes will not be penalised for this
- Can apply without having to pass an official English Test Qualification, although having sufficient knowledge of the English language may be a requirement of the organisation that hosts or employs them
- Can be accompanied by their families (dependents), if they meet the relevant requirements
The Global Talent Visa has four routes to securing a visa – researchers at the Turing are most likely to use the Endorsed Funder route which provides fast-track endorsement for researchers and specialists whose name or job title is specified in a successful grant application from a recognised funder.
Individuals can find out more and apply to the new route on the UK Government website.
