What Is The New Fast-Track Global Talent Visa?
The Global Talent visa aims to attract the brightest and best individuals to the UK. This move will aid the recovery of the UK economy in the wake of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. The Global Talent visa is part of the UK’s new points-based immigration system. The applicant of a Global Talent visa must be a leader or a potential leader in academia and research, arts and culture or digital technology. The Global Talent visa requires the applicant to apply to one of six Home Office approved endorsing bodies. For instance, the Arts Council, Tech Nation, the British Academy and the Royal Academy. Each endorsing body has its own criteria and all applicants are required to produce a substantial body of work. The endorsing body must provide evidence of the applicant’s status as a leader or potential leader. This can be quite a lengthy process. Once endorsed, the applicant can apply for a Global Talent visa.
The Fast-Track Process
The fast-track process launched on 5 May 2021. The fast-track process allows prestigious award winners to skip the requirement for the applicant to apply to one of six Home Office approved endorsing bodies. Priti Patel, Home Secretary, attests “Winners of these awards have reached the pinnacle of their career and they have so much to offer the UK.” This provides a streamlined route to work and live in the UK. However, only specific prestigious awards will qualify for the fast-track process. For example, Nobel Prizes, Oscars, the Golden Globe awards and the Turning Award. The Home Office has published a comprehensive list of all the eligible prestigious awards. Once the prestigious award has been awarded, the applicant can apply directly for the fast-track Global Talent visa.
Our Thoughts
The fast-track Global Talent visa is likely to only impact a small number of applicants who are at the top of their career. The applicants eligible for the fast-track Global Talent visa will benefit from being able to avoid the administrative process of applying to one of six Home Office approved endorsing bodies. It is difficult to assess how impactful the fast-track Global Talent visa will be because the process of applying to one of six Home Office approved endorsing bodies usually takes less than 28 days. It will be interesting to observe how the fast-track Global Talent visa will work in practice.
How can NA Law Solicitors help?
Our team of expert immigration solicitors are here to advise and assist you with your fast-track Global Talent visa application. Contact us to arrange a consultation with us today to start the fast-track process.