Global Talent

Eligibility

Leader or potential leader in academia/research, arts & culture or digital technology, endorsed by an approved body – or holder of an eligible prize. Very competitive for new graduates.

Key facts (checked 31 Oct 2026)

What you can and cannot do, how long you can stay (official)

How long you can stay

You can live and work in the UK for up to 5 years at a time.

If you want to stay longer in the UK

There’s no limit to how long you can stay in the UK in total, but you will need to renew (‘extend’) your visa when it expires. Each extension can last from 1 to 5 years - you choose how long you want the extension to be.

You may be able to get indefinite leave to remain so you can settle in the UK after 3 or 5 years, depending on which field you work in and how you apply. This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.

Source: GOV.UK – Overview

How long it takes

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

• 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
• 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

Source: GOV.UK – Overview

Documents checklist (official)

Documents you'll need to apply

When you apply you’ll need to provide:

• a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality
• your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

If you’ve had an award or scholarship to study in the UK in the last year, you’ll also need written permission to apply from the agency or government that granted it.

If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation.

If you’ve won an eligible prestigious prize, the Home Office will look at publicly available information (such as the prize organisation’s website) to confirm that you’ve won. You’ll only be asked for evidence of your win if they cannot find this.

Source: GOV.UK – Documents you'll need to apply (checked 31 Oct 2026)

How to apply, step by step (official)

Apply from outside the UK

The way you apply for a Global Talent visa depends on your circumstances.

If you’ve won an eligible prestigious prize, you can apply for the visa directly.

If you’ve not won an eligible prestigious prize, you’ll need to get an endorsement first to prove that you’re a leader or potential leader in your field.

If you’re applying for an endorsement

Find out how to apply for an endorsement before you apply for a visa.

When you have an endorsement, you can apply for this visa if:

• you’ve been endorsed by an organisation approved by the Home Office
• you’re applying within 3 months of receiving your endorsement letter
• the organisation that endorsed you has not withdrawn its approval

How to apply for the visa

You can apply online for a Global Talent visa.

Check which documents you’ll need to apply.

You may also be able to apply at a visa application centre. You can apply from any country as long as you’ve been given permission to live there for at least 6 months. Check if there’s a visa application centre that you can travel to that accepts Global Talent visa applications.

If you’re already living in the UK, you and your partner and children may be able to extend a Global Talent visa or switch to a Global Talent visa.

Proving your identity and supplying supporting documents

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

If you do need an appointment:

• you’ll need to take your passport with you to the visa application centre (you’ll be able to collect it on the day)
• you may have to travel to get to your nearest centre (this could be in another country)

Apply for a Global Talent visa

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Start now

Continue your application

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example:

• if you’re applying with a family member who needs an appointment but you do not
• if your supporting documents need to be verified
• if you need to attend an interview
• because of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

You’ll get an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you’ll get to prove your immigration status and what you need to do next.

If you need to change or cancel your application

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

Source: GOV.UK – Apply from outside the UK (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Partner and children (official)

Your partner and children

Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.

If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

• your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
• your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay
• your child over 18 if they currently have permission (‘leave to enter’ or ‘leave to remain’) to be in the UK as your dependant

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship to your dependant when you apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove one of the following:

• you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK
• you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
• you’ve been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply but you cannot live together, for example because you’re working or studying in different places, or it’s not accepted in your culture

If you’re not living together, you’ll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you:

• communicate regularly with each other
• support each other financially
• care for any children you have together
• spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events

Your child

They must:

• live with you, unless they’re living away from home in full-time education - for example, at boarding school or university
• not be married or in a civil partnership

You’ll need to provide evidence of their address, such as:

• a bank statement
• credit card bills
• driving licence
• NHS registration document
• an official letter from their university or college

Fees

For each person applying, you’ll need to pay:

• the £766 application fee
• the healthcare surcharge

They’ll also need to have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken. There’s no fee for this.

If your partner or children are outside the UK

Your partner and children must either:

• apply online as a partner
• apply online as a child

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.

They’ll be asked to provide your application number so the Home Office can link their application to you.

They might need to have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre. They’ll be told if they need to do this when they apply.

If your partner or children are already in the UK (extend or switch their visa)

Your partner or child can apply to switch their visa either:

• at the same time as you apply to extend or switch your own visa
• at any time before their current visa expires

This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Your partner and child cannot apply to switch to your Global Talent visa as your dependants if they are currently in the UK in one of the following circumstances:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• they were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds

If your partner or child is currently in the UK on a Student visa, they can only switch if they have either:

• completed the course they were sponsored to study
• studied for a PhD for at least 24 months

How to apply

Your partner and child must apply online to either:

• extend or switch as a partner
• extend or switch as a child

They’ll need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

As part of their application, they’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken.

They’ll also need to submit their supporting documents. They can:

• upload them into the online service
• have them scanned at their UKVCAS appointment

They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do.

Children born in the UK

If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

You must apply for your child’s dependant visa if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them.

The form you fill in depends on if:

• your child is inside the UK

  Source: GOV.UK – Your partner and children (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Extending, switching and changing job (official)

Extend your visa

You can usually apply to extend your stay in the UK if either:

• you applied for the Global Talent visa based on an endorsement, and the organisation that endorsed you has not withdrawn its approval
• you applied for a Global Talent visa based on an eligible prestigious prize you won, and the prize has not been withdrawn

You must be able to show that you earned money in your expert field during your time in the UK by sending evidence toward your application, for example payslips.

Your partner or children will need to apply separately to extend their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

You should apply before your current visa expires.

Applicants who currently have a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa can extend under the Global Talent category.

How long you can stay

You can apply to extend your visa for up to 5 years at a time. You can renew your visa as many times as you like, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements.

If you want to stay longer in the UK

You may be able to get indefinite leave to remain so you can settle in the UK after 3 or 5 years, depending on which field you work in and how you apply. This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.

Fees

It costs £766 to apply to extend a Global Talent visa from inside or outside the UK.

Your partner and children must pay the visa fee of £766 if they want to apply to travel with you or join you later in the UK.

You will need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken. There’s no fee for this.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

Proving your identity and giving supporting documents

As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity.

How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Apply in the UK

You must apply online.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Start now

Continue your application

Find out how to sign in to your account.

Apply outside the UK

You can apply online to extend a Global Talent visa you’ve had in the last year.

You may also be able to apply at a visa application centre. You can apply from any country as long as you’ve been given permission to live there for at least 6 months. Check if there’s a visa application centre that you can travel to that accepts Global Talent visa applications.

How long it takes

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision - you’ll be told if you can when you apply.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Source: GOV.UK – Extend your visa (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Switch to this visa

You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Global Talent visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa.

Your partner or children will need to apply separately to switch their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

You should apply before your current visa expires.

Eligibility

To switch to a Global Talent visa you must be in the UK.

If you’ve won an eligible prestigious prize, you can apply for the visa directly.

If you’ve not won an eligible prestigious prize, you’ll need to get an endorsement first to prove that you’re a leader or potential leader in your field.

If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, one of the following must also apply:

• you’ve completed the course you were sponsored to study
• you’re studying for a PhD full time, and have been for at least 24 months

If you’re applying for an endorsement

The fields you must prove you’re a leader or potential leader in are:

• academia or research
• arts and culture
• digital technology

You must apply to switch to the Global Talent visa within 3 months of getting an endorsement.

You cannot apply for the visa if the organisation that endorsed you has withdrawn its approval.

Who cannot apply to switch to this visa

You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you’re currently in the UK in one of the following circumstances:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds

You must leave the UK and apply for a Global Talent visa from abroad if you’re in one of these categories.

How long you can stay

You can choose how long you want to apply for, up to 5 years at a time.

After you apply, you can stay in the UK until you get your decision.

If you have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you do not need to apply for a visa.

If you want to stay longer in the UK

You may be able to get indefinite leave to remain so you can settle in the UK after 3 or 5 years, depending on which field you work in and how you apply. This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.

Fees

Switching to a Global Talent visa costs £766.

If you’re applying based on an endorsement, you’ll pay the £766 in two parts:

• £561 when you apply for the endorsement
• £205 when you apply for the visa itself

If you’re applying based on an eligible prestigious prize, you’ll pay the full £766 when you apply for the visa.

Your partner and children must pay £766 each if they want to apply to travel with you or join you later in the UK.

You will need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken. There’s no fee for this.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

Proving your identity and giving supporting documents

As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity.

How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Apply to switch to a Global Talent visa

You must apply online.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Start now

Continue your application

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

Decisions are usually made within 8 weeks of your application date.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision - you’ll be told if you can when you apply.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Source: GOV.UK – Switch to this visa (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Processing times and faster decisions (official)

Standard: Usually 3 weeks (outside UK), 8 weeks (inside UK) (GOV.UK visa processing times).

• Priority service: +£500, usually a decision within 5 working days (settlement, citizenship and family-from-outside-UK: usually 30 working days).
• Super priority service: +£1,000, usually a decision by the end of the next working day after you prove your identity. Not available for citizenship.
• Availability depends on the route, the country and whether you use a UKVCAS centre or the ID Check app; there is a daily limit. You are told at the point of applying whether it is offered.

Source: GOV.UK – Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application (checked 31 Oct 2026)

How the application works (official)

1. Check eligibility and gather documents (sections above). Sponsored routes: get your CoS/CAS reference first; endorsed routes: get your endorsement first.
2. Apply online on GOV.UK and pay the fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (if it applies) – IHS.
3. Prove your identity: either the UK Immigration: ID Check app (if offered) or an appointment at a visa application centre (outside the UK) or UKVCAS service point (inside the UK) for fingerprints and photo.
4. Upload documents and wait for the decision. Do not travel or leave the UK before a decision if applying from inside the UK – it can withdraw your application.
5. Your permission is issued as an eVisa in your UKVI account; physical BRPs are no longer issued. Link your passport to it and use share codes to prove your rights – GOV.UK eVisas.

Path to settlement (ILR) and citizenship

After 3 or 5 years depending on endorsement.

Citizenship normally needs ILR (or settled status) held for 12 months – or immediately if married to a British citizen – plus the residence, absences, good character, Life in the UK test (£50) and English B1 requirements. See GOV.UK – Settle in the UK and GOV.UK – Citizenship if you have ILR.