How long does it take to get a UK Global Talent visa? A comprehensive guide

Before applying, it’s crucial to gather all necessary documents, including letters of recommendation, evidence pieces, personal statements, and your CV. Based on our experience with over 450 clients, it usually typically takes about three months to prepare all the documents.

Why does it take three months?

• Coordination with referees: Securing signed letters can be time-consuming, as referees may have busy schedules or become unresponsive, forcing you to search for new ones.
• Writing evidence pieces documents: Assembling the case into a compiling story, selecting the right confirmations of your talent, dividing the evidence into correct categories.
• Pending achievements: You might be awaiting outcomes like award announcements or upcoming conference speaking engagements, which are vital to your application.

In some cases, building a comprehensive application can extend to six months, depending on individual circumstances.

Once your documents are ready, the next step is to apply for endorsement from the relevant endorsing body in your field (Stage 1 Endorsement Application). Each body has its own processing timeline, the average endorsement timeline / processing time is around 6 weeks.

• Tech Nation (Digital Technology): Up to 8 weeks.
• Arts Council England (Arts and Culture): Up to 8 weeks.
• The Royal Society (Science and Medicine): Up to 8 weeks.
• The British Academy (Humanities): Up to 8 weeks.
• The Royal Academy of Engineering (Engineering): Up to 8 weeks.
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) (Research Applicants): Up to 8 weeks.

After receiving your endorsement letter (which is technically just an email with a reference number assigned to your case), you have three months to apply for the UK Global Talent Visa. Most of our clients are based outside the UK and apply for the Stage 2 Visa Application as soon as they receive their endorsement. It takes on average around 3 weeks.

The processing times are:

• Applying from outside the UK: Approximately 3 weeks.
• Applying from inside the UK: Approximately 8 weeks.

There are also Premium services available in certain countries, please refer to the visa application centre in your country.

The UK Global Talent Visa offers:

• Flexibility: You don’t need to live permanently in the UK to keep the visa.
• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): To qualify for ILR, you must not exceed:
  • 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months.
  • 450 days outside the UK in five years.

Tip: Business travel doesn’t count toward your absence allowance. For example, if you attend a conference abroad, you can deduct those days from your total time outside the UK.

Considering all stages, obtaining the UK Global Talent Visa typically takes around seven months. However, this can vary based on preparation time, endorsing body processing times, and your personal circumstances.

Key takeaways

• Start early: Begin gathering documents and securing references as soon as possible to avoid delays.
• Stay informed: Regularly check the specific processing times for your endorsing body.
• Plan accordingly: Be mindful of travel plans and commitments, especially if you’re aiming for ILR.

If you want to streamline the process and strengthen your application, working with an expert can make a big difference.