The Global Talent Visa is a UK immigration program with the aim of attracting exceptional individuals, including medical professionals, to come to the UK. It replaced the Exceptional Talent Tier 1 visa in February 2020. International collaboration is fundamental for innovation and research, and the British government places increasing importance on these fields.
President of the Royal Society, Venki Ramakrishnan, welcomed the launch of the Global Talent visa, seeing it as an opportunity for the society to work with highly skilled and talented researchers and specialists from across the globe at all stages in their careers. She commented that it is a positive message that the UK is dedicated to collaborating with overseas talent in the field of science and that developments in science can help us address difficult challenges such as disease or climate change.
Successful applicants are granted the right to work in the UK for up to five years without requiring a sponsor, language tests or minimum salary bands, which other UK immigration categories require. Applicants choose the length of the visa, and it can be renewed multiple times. To apply for the Global Talent Visa in the UK, medical professionals need to secure an endorsement from the Royal Society which will verify the candidate’s expertise. The endorsement is based on the applicant’s exceptional talent, exceptional promise, or significant contribution to the field.
Applicants must select one of four routes to obtain endorsement for the Global Talent visa, although individuals who have won one of the eligible awards, which can be found on the government website [1] do not need to apply for endorsement and can apply for the visa immediately. Where an endorsement is required, the process varies depending on whether the applicant has an eligible job as a researcher or academic, whether they have an individual fellowship, a UKRI-approved research grant or a peer-reviewed application.
Fast-track Endorsement
In order to qualify for fast-track endorsement, applicants must show that they fulfil certain criteria. Candidates who hold a peer-reviewed research fellowship or have held one in the 5 years before the application will be endorsed. Applicants who have won an award on the list which the Royal Society publishes are eligible. Also eligible are applicants who have been appointed to an academic or research position at one of the approved research institutes or Higher Education organisations.
Applicants who are employed by a research organisation which is on the list published by the UKRI must be able to show that they will be directing a unique research project and that they have a PhD or other equivalent experience in research. They must be able to show they will participate in a relevant field in a UK University or research institute and their post title or name must be on the award or grant as Principal investigator, co-investigator, Post-doctoral researcher, Researcher Co-investigator, Research Assistant or another equivalent position recognised by UKRI.
Applicants who can demonstrate they will make vital contributions to research through their excellence or will develop new methodologies and technologies and hold a UK bachelor’s degree or an equivalent research degree or research experience are also eligible.
Full Peer Review Endorsement
Applicants looking for “Exceptional Talent” endorsement will need to satisfy the Royal Society that they are recognised as exceptional in the medical field and are actively conducting research in a relevant area. They also need to have PhD level research experience. Candidates looking for endorsement as “Exceptional Promise” need to satisfy the Royal Society that they are actively researching a relevant field and have experience in research at PhD level. They must also be early on in their career.
One of the main benefits of the Global Talent Visa is the ability to change roles and organisations without needing to seek permission from the Home Office. It is also possible to enter self-employment, set up a business and earn extra income through consultancy or other routes that do not have to be related to the field in which the applicant gained endorsement. The Global Talent visa has many other advantages for individuals and their families. It allows spouses and dependents of the main applicant to join them in the UK and they can live, work, and study here, subject to certain conditions. Successful applicants can also carry out research overseas without this being counted as an absence when applying for settlement.
The Global Talent Visa provides medical professionals with the opportunity to enhance their professional development. They will have opportunities to work with renowned experts, gain exposure to advanced medical techniques, and broaden their skill set through collaboration with leading healthcare institutions in the UK. The granting of a Global Talent Visa signifies that the medical professional has been recognised as a leader or emerging leader in their field and this recognition can enhance their professional reputation globally and open doors to future career opportunities.
Resources:
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/global-talent-eligible-prize-list/global-talent-science-engineering-humanities-and-medicine-prizes
[2] https://royalsociety.org/news/2020/01/response-to-global-talent-visa/