On 5 May 2021, the UK government announced a new fast track Global Talent route for prestigious award winners.
Individuals who have won prestigious awards from across the science, humanities, engineering, the arts and digital technology will be allowed to sidestep new immigration controls to secure three-year visas.
The new rules, which are part of the Global Talent route, will entitle applicants to live and work in the UK for three years after which they can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain and British Citizenship.
Fast track Global Talent route – eligible prize list
The government has worked with the endorsing bodies to draft the initial list of qualifying prizes, which will be kept under review. The eligible prize winners include:
- Science, technology, engineering and maths: Nobel Prize winners in Physics, Chemistry, Economic Science and Medicine; Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering; Fields Medal; Turing Award
- Music: Brit Award – International Male/Female; Mobo – Best International Act; Grammys – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Film, TV and theatre: Various Academy Award and Golden Globe categories; Bafta – Best Film Actress/Actor/Director; various Tony Awards and Olivier Awards
- Arts & literature: Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize; Hugo Boss Prize; Nobel Prize – Literature
There is no limit on the amount of time an applicant has held their prize for, meaning an applicant could have been awarded their prize at any point in their career and still qualify.
compiled by Judit Adorjan – Immigration Consultant
Eligibility requirements
- The applicant must be at least 18 years old on the date of application.
- The applicant must be a named recipient of the prize.
- The prize issued by the relevant body must not have been withdrawn.
- The applicant must not be liable for grounds for refusal by being in breach of immigration laws or on immigration bail.
How is the fast track Global Talent route different to the previous route?
The Global Talent visa route, launched last year, allows prominent people in areas including science, engineering and mathematics to live and work in the UK for five-year periods.
Thousands of applications have been submitted since it came into force in February 2020.
Currently, applicants on the Global Talent route need an endorsement from one of six professional bodies, including the Arts Council and the Royal Academy.
Under the new fast track route, launched on the 5 May 2021, applicants can instead make a single visa application.
Those who have won one of the prestigious prizes will be able to bypass the endorsement requirement.
Prize winners can directly lodge their visa applications with the Home Office.
Applicants will not be required to have a job offer.
Karen Kaur and Jonathan Beech – Immigration Lawyers
A move towards attracting talent
The new route is part of the government’s new post-Brexit immigration points system designed to attract the ‘best and brightest’ from the world.
It aims to make it easier for skilled workers from around the world to come to the UK while restricting the unskilled.
According to the Home Secretary, Priti Patel: ‘Winners of these awards have reached the pinnacle of their career and they have so much to offer the UK.’
If you are a talented or promising individual in the field of science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology, arts and culture who would like to live and work in the UK but you are unsure if you qualify get in touch with us.