​How to Get an Endorsement for the UK Global Talent Visa? Full Guide

The process of obtaining the UK Global Talent visa consists of two main stages – Stage 1 (Endorsement) and Stage 2 (Visa Application).

Stage 1 – Endorsement Stage involves applying for an endorsement from a designated endorsing body based on your achievements and potential in your field. For applicants in digital technology, this endorsing body is typically Tech Nation. Your Stage 1 application requires demonstrating your leadership, innovation, and impact through various documents, such as letters of recommendation and evidence of your contributions.

Once your Stage 1 endorsement is approved, you move to Stage 2 – Visa Application stage, which is the actual visa application submitted to the UK Home Office. This stage focuses on your immigration paperwork, including biometric data and other supporting documents.

Stage 1 (Endorsement) is where you submit your documents to one of six relevant endorsing bodies (via an online application form). This is the first and crucial step in obtaining the Global Talent Visa, as it determines whether you are eligible for this visa based on your skills, achievements, and potential in your field.

Step 1: Determine Your Endorsing Body

The first step in Stage 1 is identifying which endorsing body is relevant to your field. There are six endorsing bodies in the UK, each covering specific sectors:

• Tech Nation – for professionals in digital technology.
• Arts Council England – for professionals in arts and culture.
• The Royal Society – for professionals in science.
• The Royal Academy of Engineering – for those in engineering.
• The British Academy – for individuals in humanities and social sciences.
• UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – for researchers in science and academia.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

Once you’ve identified the appropriate endorsing body, you will need to prepare the required documents. This typically includes 15 documents all in all, such as:

• 3 Letters of Recommendation: These must come from recognised professionals who are familiar with your work and can speak directly to your achievements and impact. The letters should have distinct voices to avoid suspicion of being written by the same person. Make sure that the dates, roles, and achievements align consistently across your CV, evidence pieces, and recommendation letters.
• A Detailed CV: Focus on quantifiable achievements. A well-structured CV that highlights key contributions and achievements is essential.
• A Personal Statement: This is where you explain why you want to move to the UK, what your career goals are, and how your work will benefit your field and the UK economy. You must be specific about the value you will bring to the UK. Avoid generic statements and clearly define your impact.
• Up to 10 Evidence Pieces: Your evidence documents should back up your claims in the CV and Letters of Recommendation. Grouping projects/information under relevant themes (e.g., panel discussions, conferences, impact at a company, innovation, etc.) can help create a cohesive story that links your achievements.

Step 3: Submit the Online Application

After gathering your documents, you will need to submit your application through the relevant endorsing body’s online portal. Each body has its own set of guidelines for the application process, so be sure to review them carefully before submitting.

Step 4: Await the Endorsement Decision

The endorsing body will review your application and may take up to 8 weeks to make a decision. If endorsed, you will be provided with an endorsement letter (an email, see examples below), which allows you to proceed to Stage 2 (Visa Application) with the UK Home Office.

Your CV is a critical document that ties together your work experience, achievements, and skills in a way that demonstrates your impact and contributions to your field. It must be tailored to highlight the quantifiable outcomes of your career and the leadership roles you’ve taken.

Here’s a structured approach to writing your CV for the Global Talent Visa application:

Summary of Your Experience

Start with a profile section summarising your professional background and most notable skills. Highlight your expertise and how it has contributed to the success of the companies or projects you’ve been involved in.

Example 1: Senior IT & business professional with 16+ years of experience in cybersecurity and data centre transformation. Proven track record in delivering high-impact projects, such as a cybersecurity initiative recognised by the government for improving the security of 13 million citizens. Expertise in business optimisation, team leadership, and creating strategic partnerships with Fortune 500 clients.

Example 2: An academic professor, researcher, and medical innovator with extensive experience in non-invasive neurosurgical treatments. Co-founded the first MRgFUS centre in XYZ country, overseeing the successful treatment of over 11,000 patients while also pioneering the introduction of advanced technologies like Optical Coherence Tomography and TAVI.

Quantifying Your Contributions

In each section of your work experience, focus on quantifiable achievements. Use numbers to show the scale and impact of your work, whether it’s revenue growth, successful product launches, or operational improvements.

Example 1:  Led a global strategy for a cybersecurity company, managing a team of 14 people across EMEA, APAC, and the Americas. Grew annual revenue to $120 million and secured 120+ new clients in Global 2000 companies.

Example 2: Co-founded a game development startup that successfully raised £500,000+ in investment. Released the game ‘XYZ in 2023, achieving sales of 119,637 units with a net revenue of £526,764.

Including Awards and Recognition

Highlight any awards or industry recognition you have received, as these further validate your leadership and expertise. Be sure to mention how they relate to your global impact.

Example 1: Recipient of the President’s Club award in 2021 and 2022, achieving 189%-229% of sales quota and delivering $25 million in revenue.

Example 2: Won 1st place at the ‘Colors of Indie Awards’ in 2022 for the game ‘XYZ’ recognised for innovation and creative design.

Listing Public Speaking and Mentorship

If applicable, include a section on public speaking, teaching, or mentorship that demonstrates your contribution to the industry and your leadership beyond your immediate role.

Example 1:  Delivered keynote talks at the Latin America CISO Conference and Digiware Vision Day on the future of cybersecurity and IoT. Regular contributor to industry publications.

Example 2:  Served as a mentor for HOLA Serious Games and Gamecity Hamburg, supporting early-stage game developers in pitching their projects and securing investment.

Here’s a structured approach to writing your personal statement, using anonymised examples from successful applications:

Summarising Your Experience

Begin by summarising your professional background and most notable achievements. This should grab the reader’s attention by highlighting your hard skills and the impact you’ve had on your industry or company.

Example 1: I am a serial entrepreneur and investor with over a decade of experience in the digital field. I have launched and grown several successful start-ups in app and game development, FinTech, Crypto, and Blockchain sectors. My companies have won international awards and serve millions of users globally.

Example 2: I am an experienced academic with a Doctor of Sciences in Medicine and more than 11 years of experience as Chief of Interventional Cardiology at the Republican Cardio Centre. My work helped rank our hospital among the top nationally, discharging over 11,658 patients while training more than 20 fellows.

Quantifying Your Contributions

Quantifying your achievements is essential to show the tangible impact of your work. Be specific about the results of your efforts, using numbers to back up your claims.

Example 1:  At a digital tech company, I introduced several new business directions—gaming, wellness, and education. One project attracted over 200M users, generating over £2M in revenue. Another project grew to 60M downloads and became the top app in its category.”

Example 2: I pioneered the introduction of cutting-edge medical techniques such as Optical Coherence Tomography and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). My research has been published in renowned journals like the Journal of Clinical Medicine and the British Journal of Neurosurgery.

Why the UK?

Explain why you have chosen the UK as the destination for your future work. Be specific about the industry in the UK and how your expertise aligns with the country’s goals. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the UK market and the opportunities available.

Example 1: The UK is a central platform for networking and industry knowledge-sharing collaborations. I would like to anchor entrepreneurs, academia, and business together here. I plan to continue mentoring and sharing my knowledge while fostering collaborations within the UK’s tech ecosystem.

Example 2:  Moving to the UK will provide tremendous opportunities in digital health and AI-powered medicine. I want to collaborate with leading research institutions to advance non-invasive medical treatments, aligning with my vision of humanising healthcare.

What Will You Achieve in the UK?

Detail your long-term goals and how you will contribute to the UK economy and the growth of your industry. This section should align your skills and experience with the needs of the UK market.

Example 1: I plan to network within the international tech community, apply the latest tech know-how to gaming products, build global partnerships, and create jobs in the gaming industry. My startup has the potential to bring cultural and entertainment value to the UK.

Example 2:  I plan to continue my work in non-invasive cardiology and collaborate with top academic institutions such as XYZ on AI-driven medical solutions. I also aim to relocate the headquarters of a major medical conference to the UK, benefiting the British medical community.

Which Region or City in the UK Do You Plan to Live In?

Specifying your desired location in the UK can show endorsing bodies that you’ve considered how your work aligns with specific regional needs or industries.

Example 1: I intend to relocate to Manchester, as its growing startup scene aligns perfectly with my goals. The city offers a collaborative environment for emerging tech companies, making it an ideal place to launch my new venture.

Example 2: Living in Cambridge will allow me to collaborate closely with some of the world’s top research institutions. This city’s proximity to innovative companies and leading academic resources will be essential for the continuation of my scientific research in AI-driven healthcare solutions.

Example 3: I find the countryside near Edinburgh inspiring and plan to live just outside the city. This location will offer the perfect balance between natural beauty and access to a vibrant arts community, allowing me to develop my creative work while engaging with local galleries and exhibitions.

By providing a detailed, well-structured personal statement that ties your past achievements to your future ambitions in the UK, you demonstrate not only your expertise but also your understanding of how you will contribute to the UK’s economy and industry growth. Use specific examples, quantify your impact, and clearly outline your future goals to strengthen your application.

Strong evidence is the backbone of the Global Talent Visa endorsement process. Your evidence pieces must be verifiable and clear, showing how you’ve impacted your field. Make sure your evidence is organised in a way that tells a story, with each piece of evidence complementing the other documents (e.g., letters of recommendation and CV).

You are allowed to usually submit up to 10 evidence pieces as part of your endorsement application.

Tips for writing strong evidence pieces:

• Use the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for clarity. Start with a brief context of the project, describe your role, outline the steps you took, and finish with the results.
• Group related projects under themes like innovation, awards, patents, impact, media recognition, etc.
• Ensure consistency across your CV, evidence, and recommendation letters. This creates a cohesive narrative for the endorsing body.

No, you do not need a job offer to apply for the Global Talent Visa. This visa offers significant flexibility for professionals, allowing you to:

• Work for any employer, or multiple employers.
• Start your own business or venture.
• Freelance or take on projects across various industries.

A Home Office endorsement is the same as the Stage 1 (Endorsement) UK Global Talent application. It is the formal confirmation that you have met the criteria for the Global Talent Visa, as determined by the endorsing body (such as Tech Nation, Arts Council England, or UKRI).

The endorsing body evaluates your letters of recommendation, CV, personal statement, and evidence pieces. If the body finds that you meet the requirements, you will be sent an email, confirming that you “meet the criteria for Exceptional Talent (or Promise)” and therefore “can be endorsed under Global Talent”.

Tech Nation (Digital Technology):

• Processing Time: Typically 3 to 8 weeks. Sometimes up to 12 weeks.
• Factors: Time may vary depending on the complexity of the application and the volume of applicants they receive.

Elizaveta: we have had cases when we would receive a positive decision from Tech Nation within 9 days. However, we have also had cases when we havent heard from Tech Nation for 12 weeks and then had to follow up to receive the positive response. 

Arts Council England (Arts and Culture):

• Processing Time: Usually up to 8 weeks.
• Factors: Delays can occur depending on the thoroughness of the provided evidence and any additional information requested by the endorsing body.

The Royal Society (Science):

• Processing Time: Typically 8 weeks.
• Factors: The Royal Society often relies on a peer review process, which can influence the timeline depending on the availability of experts in the applicant’s field.

The Royal Academy of Engineering (Engineering):

• Processing Time: Generally up to 8 weeks.
• Factors: The peer review system similar to the Royal Society’s may extend the processing time if additional expertise is required to assess technical projects.

The British Academy (Humanities and Social Sciences):

• Processing Time: Around 8 weeks.
• Factors: As with other academies, the peer review process may take time depending on the nature of the research or contributions being assessed.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI):

• Processing Time: Typically 8 weeks.
• Factors: UKRI evaluates research-based applications, and processing times may vary if peer reviews or external assessments are needed for specialised fields.

Once endorsed, Stage 2 involves applying for the visa itself through the UK Home Office. This stage requires the submission of your biometric data, passport, and other necessary documents.

Stage 2 Documents:

• Endorsement Letter: This confirms that you’ve been endorsed by one of the designated endorsing bodies. 
• Passport and Biometric Information: This includes your fingerprints and a photograph.

There is no need to prove your English language skills or have a valid job offer. Depending on which country you apply from, you might need to obtain a tuberculosis test (TB test) to enter the UK. See the list of countries where you would need a TB test for your UK visa application

Stage 2 Processing Time:

Stage 2 typically takes 3 to 8 weeks. During this time, the Home Office reviews your endorsement and other supporting documents before issuing the visa.

The Global Talent Visa endorsement fee is £524 (2024). After securing the endorsement, you will need to pay an additional visa fee for either a 3-year or 5-year visa. You’ll also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to cover healthcare costs while living in the UK. See how much IHS you would pay here.

We work closely with our legal partners at Sterling Law to maintain the excellent success rate for our clients (93%). We take over document writing whilst Sterling Law check everything from the legal perspective, put their stamp of approval and submit the application for you. 

There are three types of services depending on how much support you need:

60-min consultation: Get personalised guidance with a 60-minute consultation from our expert career consultant. We’ll assess your case, offer feedback on your chances, and help you plan evidence collection. We’ll dive into your CV, LinkedIn, and more to uncover ways to enhance your application. Expect advice on awards, mentorship, and outside achievements too.

PRO package: Experience a range of services in one package – an assessment of your case, consultation, and hands-on document support. We’ll craft your CV, LinkedIn, and an outstanding personal statement. Our expert letters of support (3-5, as needed) will be signed by your referees. We guide you through evidence preparation and offer a document review before submission. Count on us for a draft of your Stage 1 application too.

FULL SUPPORT package: Dive into comprehensive assistance – from start to finish. Begin with our assessment and consultation. Let us create your CV, LinkedIn, personal statement, and reference letters. We’ll handcraft all evidence pieces, assemble your documents, and submit your applications for both stages. In case of a refusal, our legal team’s expertise will guide you toward turning it around.

Read more about our services here. If you’re interested in the Global Talent visa, try our short test and find out if you are eligible.