- Prepare evidence and lettersUsually the longest partWeeks to months
- Apply online to the Home OfficeEndorsement fee£561
- Endorsing body decidesDepends on the endorsing body2 to 8+ weeks
- Apply for the visa£205 visa fee plus healthcare surchargeWithin 3 months
| Endorsing body | Who it is for | Main test | Letters | Usual decision time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tech Nation | Digital technology: founders, engineers, product and commercial leaders | 1 mandatory criterion plus 2 of 4 optional criteria, shown in the last 5 years | 3 letters from 3 different experts who have known your work for at least 12 months | Usually 5 to 8 weeks |
| Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, British Academy | Researchers in science, medicine, engineering, humanities and social sciences | An active researcher with a PhD or equivalent experience; fast track (eligible post or fellowship) or peer review | Peer review: 2 for Exceptional Talent, 1 for Exceptional Promise; fast track: none | Fast track usually 14 working days; peer review usually 5 weeks, up to 8 |
| UKRI | Researchers working on a grant from an endorsed funder | Grant of at least £30,000 over at least 2 years, an approved UK host, and at least half your time on the grant | No recommendation letters; the grant and host details are checked | Usually 14 working days |
| Arts Council England (with Pact, the British Fashion Council, RIBA and the Design Business Association) | Arts and culture, film and television, fashion, architecture and design | Outstanding work presented internationally in the last 5 years, with up to 10 pieces of evidence | 3 letters of support | Target of 8 weeks, no fast track |
Every route
What every Global Talent endorsement route has in common
Whichever endorsing body assesses you, Stage 1 works the same way. You apply online to the Home Office, which passes your application to the endorsing body for your field. The endorsing body decides whether you meet its published criteria, as Exceptional Talent (already a leader) or Exceptional Promise (a potential leader).
- You must be 18 or over
- The endorsement application fee is £561, the same for every endorsing body
- Winners of an eligible prestigious prize skip endorsement and apply for the visa directly
- If you are refused, you can ask for a review within 28 days, but you cannot add new evidence
Digital technology
Tech Nation: 1 mandatory criterion and 2 of 4 optional criteria
You must show recognition as an exceptional talent, or as someone with exceptional promise, in digital technology within the last 5 years. Technical applicants show hands-on expertise with current technology; business applicants show commercial, investment or product expertise in digital products. Consultancies and outsourcers are excluded. Business applicants need a product-led company; technical applicants at other employers are eligible, but criteria 1 and 3 need a product-led company.
- Innovation as a founder, senior executive or employee in a new digital field
- Recognition for work beyond your occupation
- A significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contribution to a product-led company
- Academic contribution through research
Research
The research endorsing bodies: an active researcher with a PhD or equivalent
The Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering and British Academy all require you to be an active researcher in an academic, industry or government research institution. That means a sustained track record of research production in your field. You also need a PhD or equivalent research experience.
- Equivalent experience means at least 3 years of research where you were the intellectual drive, with strong outputs
- Industry research and clinical posts with dedicated research time can count
- Clinical practice without research achievements does not count
- The final stages of a PhD, or work done during it, do not count
Reading the rules is one thing. Knowing how they apply to your own evidence is another.
Book a free 30-minute callPeer review
On peer review, assessors look for originality and leadership
Peer review is the standard route for researchers without a qualifying job, fellowship or grant. You choose Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise. Promise applicants must be at an early stage of their career. Assessors look for originality, creativity, independence and intellectual leadership, and a credible plan for your work in the UK.
- Exceptional Talent: a personal recommendation letter plus a second letter of objective assessment
- Exceptional Promise: one personal recommendation letter
- The personal recommendation comes from an eminent person resident in the UK; the Talent second letter comes from a senior member of a reputable UK organisation in your field
Funded research
UKRI: the grant, the host and your role must all qualify
UKRI endorses researchers working on a grant from an endorsed funder. It does not review your whole career. It checks the grant, your UK host organisation and your role on the grant.
- The funder must be on the endorsed funders list
- The grant must be worth at least £30,000 and cover at least 2 years
- Your UK employer or host must be approved by UKRI
- You, or your job title, must be named on the grant application, unless you contribute rather than lead and were appointed through a fair recruitment process
- You must spend at least half your time on the grant, with at least 1 year left on your contract or hosting agreement
Arts and culture
Arts Council England: outstanding work presented internationally
You must have produced outstanding work in the last 5 years that has been published, performed, presented, distributed or exhibited internationally. Talent applicants need a substantial track record and demand for their work in more than one country. Promise applicants need a developing track record over at least the last 3 years.
- Up to 10 pieces of evidence, drawn from media recognition, awards and proof of appearances
- At least one combination: 2 media and 2 appearances, 2 media and 1 award, or 2 appearances and 1 award
- 3 letters of support: 2 from well-established cultural organisations (at least one in the UK), and a third from an organisation or an eminent individual
- A detailed artistic CV; without one, the application fails even if the other evidence is strong
Job offers
Do you need a UK job offer? For most routes, no
You do not need a job offer for Tech Nation. Research peer review and the individual fellowships route do not need a job offer. Two research routes are tied to a UK post or grant.
- Academic and research appointments: you must have accepted an eligible post at an approved UK institution
- Endorsed funders (UKRI): you must be employed or hosted by a UKRI-approved UK organisation
- For appointments, the job description must list a PhD or equivalent research experience as essential
Related guides
Keep reading
Guides applicants usually read next on this topic.
How to apply for Global Talent endorsement (Stage 1), step by step
The Stage 1 endorsement application in eight steps, with the documents, letters and decision time for each endorsing body side by side.
Read related guideGlobal Talent endorsement documents: a checklist for each endorsing body
Each endorsing body has its own document rules, from page limits to who can write your letters.
Read related guideAm I eligible for the Global Talent visa? Check before you apply
Find out which endorsing body covers you, whether you need endorsement at all, and the signs that you are ready to apply or not ready yet.
Read related guideApplying from outside the UK. Assessors look for recognition beyond your own employer, so if your track record is outside the UK, show how your companies, awards or venues compare in size and standing.
Article FAQ
Questions to settle before you spend time or money.
Use these answers to check the practical risks, documents, and decisions connected to this topic.
Can a founder claim and an employee claim count as two Tech Nation criteria?
No. Innovation as a founder, senior executive or employee is one criterion, so you still need one other optional criterion.
Do I need a PhD for the research endorsing bodies?
You need a PhD or equivalent research experience. Equivalent means at least 3 years of research that you led, with strong outputs.
Can industry research count?
Yes. Research in industry can count, but practice without research achievements does not.
Can consultancy experience count for Tech Nation?
Generally not. Consultancies and outsourcers are excluded. Technical applicants at other employers are eligible, but business applicants need a product-led company.
Can I include both theatre and film in an arts application?
No. Your evidence and letters must focus on one area of practice so one endorsing body can assess the whole application.
Requirements check
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