Global Talent visas

Academic & Research Appointments route (Route 1)

Your job offer needs to involve either:

• being responsible for academic, research or innovation leadership and development
• having research or innovation as the main activities of the role

For both options the person specification must state that a PhD or equivalent research experience to PhD in an academic, industrial or clinical setting is an essential requirement.  PhD or nearing completion is also permitted. 

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 & Research Appointments - 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.

Individual Fellowship (Route 2)

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.

Endorsed Funder (Route 3)

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

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

To be eligible, the grant or award must:

• Be worth at least £30,000
• Cover a minimum period of two years; and
• Be either a one-off grant or award or a 'renewable' award with regular peer review

You must also:

• Have at least one year left on your employment contract at the time of application; and
• Spend at least 50% of your time working on the grant or award.

Additional eligibility requirements apply depending on whether you are leading or contributing to the 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 a Statement of Guarantee and details of the relevant grant/award to support your application.

For more information on the University's internal process, please refer to the Global Talent Visa - Endorsed Funder - Process Flowchart.

Further information is available on the GOV.UK website.

Peer Review (Route 4)

If you are not eligible under another Global Talent 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
• Prove to the endorsing body that you have exceptional talent or promise in your field

The evidence required will depend on whether you are applying under the exceptional talent or exceptional promise criteria. 

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. 

Applicant Information

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 Appointments (Route 1) 
• Endorsed Funder (Route 3)

Global Talent Visa - Applying within the UK - Applicant Guidance 

Global Talent Visa - Applying Outside of UK - Applicant Guidance