The Global Talent Visa is the leading immigration category for recruiting talent in the UK tech field due to the flexibility in work positions and undertaking partnerships in the UK, low-cost application, the option of UK visa duration, and no visa number cap.
The UK Global Talent Visa (GTV) has grown in popularity over the last 18 months, despite frequent lockdowns and COVID-19 limitations. According to Tech Nation, between April 2020 and March 2021, applications for the same increased by 28% over the same period the prior year. Improving the UK’s appeal as a destination for the best technical talent globally.
Global Talent Visa: An Overview
The Global Talent Visa UK is a talent-based immigration category that allows internationally recognised experts or future leaders in science, mathematics, engineering, digital technology, and the arts to live and work in the UK. The Global Talent Visa route is accessible to applicants who have previously demonstrated outstanding promise, are likely to become top performers in their respective industries, and maybe recognised worldwide as exceptional talents. This route took effect on January 1, 2021, and superseded the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa route.
What does the Global Talent visa offer?
Ability to change jobs and advance career
Global Talent is a non-sponsored immigration category, unlike the UK’s most favoured Skilled Worker visa. This means you can change jobs or employers, start your own business, form a spin-off, or make money from other sources like consulting without obtaining approval from the Home Office.
Research and Development are recognised globally
If you choose to apply for settlement, the Global Talent visa permits you to travel worldwide for research without counting your absences from the UK against your maximum duration.
Establishing a permanent residence in the United Kingdom
The Global Talent visa has a lot of benefits if you wish to work and live or settle in the UK simply. This provides a three-year fast track to settlement for the principal visa holder and the ability for close family members to work in the UK (if applicable).
Swift Endorsement Approval
Endorsing bodies typically provide decisions to the Home Office within 14 working days for the fast-track endorsement pathways.
Visa Fees are lower
The normal rate for a five-year Global Talent visa, excluding the UK Immigration Health Surcharge, is £608, whilst the Skilled Worker visa is £1,220-£1,408. Employer sponsorship charges, such as the UK Immigration Skills Charge, are not covered by the Global Talent visa.
Flexible Visa Length
The Global Talent visa is unusual because it allows candidates to determine the length of their stay, which can last up to five years and be renewed many times.
The Global Talent visa category contributes to the tech sector’s growth by attracting top talent to major UK locations. Apart from London, other cities have also developed as digital centres. Manchester, for example, has become Europe’s fastest-growing IT hub. With an increase in the number of IT experts accessible in the area, its pool of tech specialists is growing. Bristol is second, with a total sale of £7.9 billion in the IT sector, while Leeds came in third, accounting for about 63 per cent of all UK healthtech ecosystem companies.
In short, the IT industry in the United Kingdom has limitless growth prospects. Even while the world recovers from the pandemic, the country has demonstrated resilience and persevered to overcome technical difficulties. Furthermore, the UK IT sector is fast becoming a world leader, backed by a more robust pool of highly qualified industry specialists and a new era of innovation, thanks to generous UK immigration options like the Global Talent Visa.
