Global Talent Endorsement and visa application process

Information on how to obtain a Global Talent endorsement and the steps of the visa application process

Stage 1: Endorsement

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This criteria supports a fast track endorsement for individual appointed to

  • a Professorship, Associate Professorship or other senior position responsible for academic, research or innovation leadership 
  • a position directing an individual or team in a research or innovation programme of work, who is an emerging leader.

The following requirements must have been met during the recruitment process

  • the position was advertised and an open competition was held
  • at least two references were required and received
  • at least three academic, research or innovation representatives were present on the interview panel
  • at least one expert in the applicant's field was present on the interview panel. This could be one of the academic or research representatives, or at least one relevant expert, independent of the employing institution, was consulted before the job offer was made
  • the job offer has been made and accepted

The employing department, division or college will need to complete a Global Talent internal application form  and return this to the Staff Immigration Team along with the required supporting documentation. It is advised this is submitted no less than twelve weeks before the applicant is due to commence employment.

With the support of the Staff Immigration Team, a simple Stage 1 online application and letter of support to address the above criteria will be submitted. The British Academy, Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering provide assurance that the application will be endorsed in approximately 1 week.

 

 

Individuals who hold, or have held in the last 5 years an individual fellowship from one of the awarding bodies listed below, should refer to the full published list on the Royal Society website to see whether their specific fellowship is eligible for fast track endorsement.

Not all fellowships awarded by these awarding bodies are eligible, so it is important to check the published list carefully.

 

List of Awarding Bodies, accurate of time of publishing - December 2020
Academy of Medical Sciences Human Frontier Science Program

Alzheimer’s Research UK

 Humboldt Foundation
Alzheimer's Society Leverhulme Trust 
Arts and Humanities Research Council Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Individual Fellowships

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Medical Research Council

Breast Cancer Now

Natural Environment Research Council

British Academy

NIHR

British Heart Foundation

Parkinson’s UK

Cancer Research UK

Royal Academy of Engineering
Diabetes UK Royal Commission for the Exhibition 1851

Economic and Social Research Council

 Royal Society
EMBO

Royal Society/British Academy/Academy of Medical Sciences Newton International Fellowship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Science and Technology Facilities Council
ERC UKRI

HEE/NIHR

 Versus Arthritis

 

 Wellcome Trust

 

If the fellowship appears on the published list  a simple Stage 1 online application via the Home Office Global Talent website can be submitted with assurance that the application will be endorsed in approximately 1 week.

The awarding body of your fellowship may provide guidance to support the application, please also contact the Staff Immigration Team for specific questions.

 

The endorsed funder endorsement is tailored for researchers and specialists whose name or job title is specified in a successful grant application from an endorsed funder approved by UKRI.

The criteria is: 

  • The applicant is either named or appointed to a role named on a grant from one of the endorsed funders 
  • The grant was won subject to peer review
  •  The grant award will need to be of a value of at least £30,000   
  • The grant award is at least 2 years in duration
  • The applicant is employed or hosted by, or in receipt of an offer of employment or hosting from, the University of Oxford
  • Have at least 1 year remaining on their employment contract or hosting agreement at the point of application for Stage 1 endorsement
  • Applicant will be spending at least 50% of their working time contributing to the grant
  • A robust recruitment process was undertaken if the applicant was not named on the grant

In addition, on of the following scenarios must apply:

A: Independently conducting unique research or innovation project B: Providing critical contributions to research 
The applicant is independently directing, or direct under the supervision of a Principal Investigator, a unique research or innovation project. The project may be a part of a wider programme of work. The applicant must meet ALL of the following: The applicant must make critical contributions to research through the provision of core technical or domain excellence, or in developing new technologies and methodologies. The applicant will be typically named, or their post listed, on the grant/award under ‘directly incurred’ costs. They must meet BOTH of the following:

 

 

(a) The applicant must have a PhD qualification or equivalent
    
(b) The applicant must actively participate in a relevant field within a university, research institute or industry 
   
(c) The applicant must have their name or post listed on the grant/award as the Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, Researcher Co-Investigator, Post-doctoral Researcher, Research Assistant

 (a) The applicant must hold a UK Bachelors degree (or equivalent overseas research degree or research experience deemed acceptable by UKRI).

    
(b) The applicant must have research experience, typically within a university, research institute or industry.

 

The employing department, division or college will need to complete a Global Talent internal application form and return this to the Staff Immigration Team along with the required supporting documentation. It is advised this is submitted no less than twelve weeks before the applicant is due to commence employment.

With the support of the Staff Immigration Team, a simple Stage 1 online application, letter of support and evidence of the funding award to evidence the above criteria will be submitted. UKRI provides assurance that the application will be endorsed in approximately 1 week.

 

This requires a full application which undergoes a peer-review assessment of an individuals career, achievements and standing in their field, along with assessing future plans and the impact this will have on UK research excellence. This assessment is undertaken by at least two fellows from the Academies who are aligned to your specialism.

The following table details the mandatory eligibility criteria which must be met before your application is put forward for the peer-review assessment.

 

- Be an active researcher in a relevant field, typically within a University, research institute or within industry;

- Have a PhD or equivalent research experience (including industrial or clinical research);

- Provide a dated letter of personal recommendation supporting the Global Talent application from an eminent person resident in the UK who is familiar with your work and your contribution to your field, and is qualified to assess your claim to be a; world leader in your field or have the potential to be a world leader in your field;

- Provide a short curriculum vitae outlining your career and publication history (no more than three sides of A4);

- The submission of an online endorsement application via the Home Office website Global Talent Endorsement (visas-immigration.service.gov.uk).

Additionally for Exceptional Promise

- You must be at an early stage in your career (this includes  being on a steep career trajectory. As a future leader you will need to demonstrate yourself as an outstanding researcher or innovator on a clear path to independence or leadership).

Additionally for Exceptional Talent

- Provide a second dated letter from a senior member of a reputable UK organisation concerned with research or innovation in your field. The person must be qualified to independently and objectively assess your claim of exceptional talent in your field and be able to comment independently and authoritatively on your application. 

  

 

Meeting the qualifying criteria does not guarantee endorsement, please refer to the second page of Global Talent visa overview document for further guidance on the peer-review assessment undertaken.  The Academies also publish detailed information on the eligibility criteria, process and FAQs on their respective websites: the British Academy, the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering.
 

If the department, division or college would like to request the Staff Immigration Team to assist an applicant with the submission of a Stage 1 endorsement application they will need to complete a Global talent internal form  and return this to the Staff Immigration Team. It is advised this is submitted approximately five months before the applicant is due to commence employment. 

With the support of the Staff Immigration Team, a Stage 1 online application, short CV, letters of personal and organisational support to meet the above criteria will be submitted.

Other Global Talent Endorsement options:

Tech Nation UK

Tech Nation UK's endorsement criteria is designed for individuals within digital technology and business skills. 

Full details of the application process, criteria and examples can be found at the Tech Nation Visa Scheme website additionally the Home Office's Policy Guidance provides further details on the application requirements.

 

Arts Council

Arts Council England, liaising with the three national arts bodies covering Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, consider endorsement applications in the fields of arts and culture (encompassing dance, music, theatre, combined arts, literature and visual arts - including museums and galleries).

Full details of the application process and criteria can be found on the Arts Council England website additionally the Home Office's Policy Guidance provides further details on the application requirements.

Stage 2: Visa Application

Once endorsement has been granted, the applicant can proceed with the visa application. The visa application must be submitted within three months from the date the endorsement decision was made. After three months, the endorsement will expire and a new Stage 1 endorsement application would need to be submitted. 

It is possible to apply for Stage 1 endorsement and Stage 2 visa application at the same time, but please contact SIT if you intend to do so. 
 

Applying Outside the UK 

Applicants who are outside the UK, will need to submit the application in their home country or a country where they have the right to reside for 6 months or more. Click the button below for more information and for the application form: 

APPLY FOR GLOBAL TALENT VISA FROM OUTSIDE THE UK 

 

Switching to Global Talent visa within the UK 

Applicants may apply to switch to a Global Talent visa from within the UK, as long as they do not hold permission to stay in the UK under:  

  • Visitor
  • Short-term Student
  • Parent of a Child Student
  • Seasonal Worker
  • Domestic Worker

APPLY FROM WITHIN THE UK (SWITCH) 

Student (Tier 4) Visa Holders

A applicant who has in the last 12 months received an award from a Government or international scholarship agency covering both fees and living costs for study in the UK, must provide written consent to the application being submitted from that Government or agency.

Applying for a Dependant Visa for Family Members
 

For more information about applying for a dependant visa, please see the Global talent dependant page.
 

Who to contact

Lisa Crook

Immigration Officer
Tel: 01865 289919
Email: lisa.crook@admin.ox.ac.uk

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Endorsing Bodies