Despite having secured an amicable trade agreement with the European Union before the New Year, the Conservative’s Brexit is beginning to take its toll on EU citizens based in the UK.
For example, it’s thought that thousands of care workers on these shores risk being criminalized and losing their right to work almost overnight, thanks to a fundamental lack of knowledge about the EU settlement scheme.
The UK government is also looking to amend its immigration policy, with the introduction of a so-called “Global Talent visa” designed to replace the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) category. But what exactly is this, and how can you go about applying for it?
What is the Global Talent Visa?
In simple terms, the Global Talent visa is for talented and promising individuals who wish to live and work in the UK for an extended period of time.
Like the Tier 1 visa that they’ve been designed to replace, the new Global Talent category is available across a finite range of niches and industries; namely science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technologies, arts, and culture.
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The arts and culture field is perhaps the broadest and well-represented on these shores, with this enabling those who work in fashion, architecture, and film and fashion to relocate to the UK. The visa also makes a distinction between ‘talent’ and ‘promise’ applications, with the former available to individuals who are already established as leaders in their field.
In the case of promise applicants, these individuals will need to demonstrate their potential to become leaders in their field, with this best embodied by an endorsement from a relevant and Home Office approved body.
For those of you who work in natural and medical science fields, for example, an endorsement from The Royal Society is required. The Royal Academy of Engineering and the Arts Council England have also approved bodies, while the British Academy approves applicants in the fields of humanities and social science.
Each of these listed agencies has its own unique body of criteria, but at the very least you’ll need a substantial body of work to support your application if you’re to ultimately be successful.
How Long is the Visa Valid For and How Can You Apply for One?
As a Global Talent visa application, you can choose precisely how much leave you to wish to be granted during a single period.
This is up to a maximum of five years, although it’s possible to extend this period and stay longer with a further application.
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You can apply for your new visa from either inside or outside the UK, with the former a viable option if you’ve previously held the necessary documentation to live and work on these shores.
However, if you currently hold leave in shorter-term visa categories, you’ll be required to leave the country before you submit your application for Global Talent documentation.
The good news is that new applicants don’t need to meet minimum earnings or funds requirements in order to be successful, with the only fixed criteria surrounding the definition of exceptional talent and the applicant’s ability to fulfill this.
While the application process is relatively simple in most instances, it’s wise to partner with a seasoned immigration lawyer who can oversee your claim and ensure it’s as accurate as possible.
This will minimize the time taken to complete an application, by eliminating errors and helping you understand your requirements as an applicant.