Global Talent Visas

Your job offer needs to involve either:

• being responsible for academic, research or innovation leadership and development
• directing or leading an individual or team research or innovation project or programme of work

As a result, this route is only applicable for Reader appointments (Grade 9) or Senior Academics (Grade 10 and upwards). 

If you and your role are eligible for this route, our team will provide you with a letter confirming details of the job offer and recruitment process for you to submit with your application. 

Check which endorsing body approves your discipline.

Our GTV - Academic or Researcher Job Offer - Process Flowchart shows the University's internal process for Global Talent Visas under this endorsement route. 

You can find more information on the Gov.uk website.

This route is for those who have been awarded a fellowship which is approved by the following: 

• Royal Society, for science and medicine
• British Academy, for humanities
• Royal Academy of Engineering

Check if your fellowship is eligible

Check which endorsing body approves your discipline

You will need a copy of your fellowship award letter to submit with your application. 

You can find more information on the Gov.uk website.

This route is for researchers and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) who are working on a research grant or award from a funder approved by the UKRI in one of the following capacities:

• Leading a unique research or innovation project
• Contributing to research in developing new technology or methodology   

The grant or award you are working on must be worth at least £30,000, covering 2 years and must be either a one off grant or award or a 'renewable' award with regular peer review. 

In addition, you must have at least 1 year left on your employment contract and spend at least half of your time working on the grant.

There are also additional criteria you will need to meet, depending on whether you are leading or contributing to research. 

Our HR Team will be able to confirm whether you and your role are eligible for endorsement under this route.  If you are, they will provide you with a statement of guarantee letter and information on the grant/award for you to submit with your application. 

Our Global Talent Visa - Endorsed Funder - Process Flowchart shows the University's internal process for Global Talent Visas under this endorsement route. 

You can find more information on the Gov.uk website.

If you are not eligible for another route, you may be able to get endorsement by having your application peer reviewed. 

You need to:

• Work in an approved discipline
• Be an active researcher e.g. in a university, research institute or business
• Have a PhD or equivalent research experience, including industrial or clinical research

There are other criteria you must also meet, depending on whether you are applying through exceptional promise or exceptional talent.

You may be required to provide a letter from an eminent person or a respected UK organisation linked to your research.  In either case, HR will not be able to provide this letter as it needs to be provided by someone who knows you and your research well. 

You can find more information on the Gov.uk website.

You may be able to switch to a Global Talent visa if you are already in the UK on a different type of visa.  

You must also either have won an eligible award, or be able to obtain endorsement as a leader or potential leader in one of the fields covered by the visa.  Please take a look at the endorsement options available.

You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you 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
• 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.

Further information can be found on the Gov.uk website. 

Student Visa Holders

From 17 July 2023, Student visa holders applying for this visa route must meet one of the following conditions on the date they make their application to be allowed to switch:

• they must have completed the course of study for which they were being sponsored as a Student
• they must be studying a full-time course of study at degree level or above with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance, and the start date on their CoS must be no earlier than the course completion date
• they must be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance, and the start date on their CoS must be no earlier than 24 months after the start date of their PhD

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 award you won and the award has not been withdrawn. 

You may require a confirmation of employment letter in support of your application.  If so, please send a request by email to your HR Advisor.

Further information on extending a Global Talent visa can be found on the Gov.uk website. 

Please take a look at our guidance documents below.  Please note that these documents are only applicable to applicants who are eligible for a Global Talent Visa under the following endorsement routes: 

• Academic and Research Job Offer
• UKRI Endorsed Funder

Global Talent Visa - Applying within the UK - Applicant Guidance 

Global Talent Visa - Applying Outside of UK - Applicant Guidance