Holders of UK Skilled Worker and Innovator visas usually try to switch to a Global Talent route instead of extending their visas. Why? The Global Talent Visa will grant them:
Learn about other Global Talent Visa’s benefits in our blog.
You can apply to switch to the Global Talent Visa if you are on one of the following visa types:
You should apply before your current visa expires.
💬 Immigram notes:
“Investor Visa route was shut down in February 2022. If you have this visa and it hasn’t expired yet, you can still apply to switch to the Global Talent Visa.”
You are not eligible for a visa switch if you’re in one of the following circumstances:
In this case, you must leave the UK and apply for the Global Talent Visa from abroad.
💬 Immigram notes:
“You can apply for the Global Talent Visa from anywhere in the world.”
If you want to switch to the Global Talent Visa, you have to apply for an endorsement first. Tech Nation evaluates applications from specialists in digital technology. The process is similar to getting an endorsement “from scratch”, i.e. outside of the UK.
Read our blogpost to learn more about endorsement applications, necessary documents and approximate waiting times.
📌 Immigram recommends:
“As a person who has already been living and working in the United Kingdom for some time, you will have to explain to Tech Nation why you need the visa switch. In your Personal Statement, you can talk about:
- your achievements and successes in the UK
- what else you are striving to achieve
- how the flexibility the Global Talent Visa grants may help you.
We have compiled a document checklist and specific examples you can include.”
Immigram also assists at this stage of your Global Talent Visa application*. Calculate your chances of getting the visa with our scoring test and get detailed feedback from our team.
* All immigration advice is provided by OISC regulated partner. Ref No. F202100337
After you get the endorsement, you will have 3 months (90 days) to apply for the visa itself.
The process takes up to 2 weeks as of August 2022 (compared to 8 weeks stated by the Home Office). You just switch one BRP (biometric residence permit) to another.
Learn more about this stage of the Global Talent Visa application process here.
You will need to submit:
You can submit your documents and application form online. You can also book an appointment and provide your biometric information and photo through the website.
Switching to a Global Talent Visa costs £623.
If you’re applying based on an endorsement, you will pay the £623 in two parts:
You need to keep in mind your eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). To satisfy the five-year (for an Exceptional Promise) or three-year (for an Exceptional Talent) qualifying time required for ILR , you can combine the time spent on any of the following visa types:
Your partner or children will need to apply separately to switch their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
