What matters first
For settlement, the rules ask for a continuous period of 3 years in the UK if you were endorsed by the Royal Society, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering or UKRI.
Source: GOV.UK, Immigration Rules Appendix Global Talent, checked .
The rules ask for a continuous period of 5 years in the UK if you were endorsed under the exceptional promise criteria by Arts Council England or Tech Nation.
Source: GOV.UK, Immigration Rules Appendix Global Talent, checked .
For digital technology, the Home Office sends your application to be reviewed by Tech Nation, a UK organisation with expertise in your field.
Source: GOV.UK, Global Talent digital technology, checked .
- Researchers with a job or grant2 weeks
- Researchers, peer reviewed5 weeks
- Digital technology5 to 8 weeks
- Arts and culture8 weeks
Drawn from the official figures quoted on this page.
Digital technology
You need to show that others have recognised you as a leading talent in the digital technology field in the last 5 years.
Source: GOV.UK, Global Talent digital technology: eligibility, checked .
You must also show that at least 2 of the conditions listed on the eligibility page are true.
Source: GOV.UK, Global Talent digital technology: eligibility, checked .
The documents you send must include at least 2 that show you are recognised as either a leading talent or a potential talent.
Source: GOV.UK, Global Talent digital technology: documents for endorsement, checked .
Arts and culture
For exceptional talent, you show a substantial record of work in at least 2 countries, and one of them can be your country of residence.
Source: GOV.UK, Global Talent arts and culture: combined arts, dance, literature, music, theatre or visual arts, checked .
For exceptional promise, you prove a developing record of work in at least 1 country.
Source: GOV.UK, Global Talent arts and culture: combined arts, dance, literature, music, theatre or visual arts, checked .
People applying on exceptional promise are likely to be earlier in their career, usually with at least 3 years of professional experience.
Source: GOV.UK, Global Talent arts and culture: combined arts, dance, literature, music, theatre or visual arts, checked .
Researchers, academics and prizes
Researchers and academics get a decision in about 2 weeks if they have an eligible academic or research job, an individual fellowship or a research grant.
Source: GOV.UK, Global Talent researcher or academic leader, checked .
If a researcher's or academic's application is peer reviewed instead, the decision takes about 5 weeks.
Source: GOV.UK, Global Talent researcher or academic leader, checked .
If you apply based on an eligible prestigious prize, you pay the full £766 when you apply for the visa.
Source: GOV.UK, Global Talent visa, checked .
Changes and corrections
No changes since it was first published.
Editorial status
Written by Talent Visa Journey from the official pages cited above and approved by an editor. It has not been reviewed by a lawyer or a regulated immigration adviser.
How this page was made
An AI tool wrote the first draft from the official pages linked on this page. Automatic checks then compared each statement with the text of its official source. A person named above read the figures, dates and fees and approved the page before it was published. We check the sources again every week and note every change at the bottom. This page says what the official source says. It is not legal advice and cannot say what applies to your case.