Each dependant, partner or child<\/td> \u00a3766<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe fees were left unchanged in the April 2026 update. They are the same whether you apply from inside or outside the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Immigration Health Surcharge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The IHS gives you access to the NHS on the same terms as a person settled in the UK. It is a compulsory payment, charged per person, per year. It is paid upfront for the full length of the visa you are granted.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWho<\/th> Per year<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Adults<\/td> \u00a31,035<\/td><\/tr> Children under 18 at the date of application<\/td> \u00a3776<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor a five year permission, the surcharge for one adult is \u00a35,175<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow long the process takes<\/h2>\n\n\n\nStage<\/th> Route<\/th> Time<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Endorsement<\/td> Academia, individual fellowship<\/td> About 1 week<\/td><\/tr> Endorsement<\/td> Academia, job offer or UKRI funding<\/td> About 2 weeks<\/td><\/tr> Endorsement<\/td> Academia, peer review<\/td> About 5 weeks<\/td><\/tr> Endorsement<\/td> Digital technology (Tech Nation)<\/td> 5 to 8 weeks<\/td><\/tr> Endorsement<\/td> Arts, culture, design, architecture, fashion, film<\/td> 8 to 12 weeks (target)<\/td><\/tr> Visa decision (stage 2)<\/td> Applying from outside the UK<\/td> 3 weeks<\/td><\/tr> Visa decision (stage 2)<\/td> Applying from inside the UK<\/td> 8 weeks<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nA warning about the arts routes<\/strong>: Arts Council England currently states publicly that it is receiving a high volume of applications and that decisions are taking longer than the eight week target, around 12 weeks. It is worth planning accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow long the visa lasts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n You choose the length of the permission you are granted: one, two, three, four or five years<\/strong>. As long as you continue to meet the requirements, you can extend as many times as you like, by one to five years each time.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBecause the health surcharge is paid upfront for the whole period, asking for a shorter grant reduces your initial cost but can be more expensive overall, because if you want to extend you pay the \u00a3766 visa application fee again with each extension. If your type of endorsement qualifies you for settlement after three years, asking for exactly three years is usually the most efficient choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Settling in the UK<\/h2>\n\n\n\n This is where the Global Talent visa is at its most generous, and where the detail really matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEndorsing body<\/th> Type of endorsement<\/th> Time to settlement<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> The Royal Society<\/td> Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise<\/td> After 3 years<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>The British Academy<\/td> Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise<\/td> After 3 years<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>Royal Academy of Engineering<\/td> Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise<\/td> After 3 years<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>UKRI<\/td> Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise<\/td> After 3 years<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>Tech Nation<\/td> Exceptional Talent<\/td> After 3 years<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>Arts Council England (and RIBA, BFC, PACT, DBA)<\/td> Exceptional Talent<\/td> After 3 years<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>Prize winners<\/td> Direct to visa<\/td> After 3 years<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>Tech Nation<\/td> Exceptional Promise<\/td> After 5 years<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>Arts Council England (and RIBA, BFC, DBA)<\/td> Exceptional Promise<\/td> After 5 years<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe pattern to notice is this: with the academia and research bodies, Exceptional Promise leads to settlement just as fast as Exceptional Talent.<\/strong> An early career researcher endorsed as Exceptional Promise by the Royal Society settles in three years. An early career technologist endorsed as Exceptional Promise by Tech Nation waits five. For people whose profile could reasonably go either way, that is a two year difference, and it should shape the decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThere is one further concession for researchers: time spent doing research outside the UK counts towards the qualifying period.<\/strong> The usual rule limiting time abroad to 180 days in any twelve month period does not apply. At the settlement stage, you must show that you have earned money in your field in the UK during the qualifying period.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat settlement itself requires<\/h3>\n\n\n\n There is no English language requirement for the visa, but there is one for settlement<\/strong>. You need English at CEFR level B1, or level B2 for applications made on or after 26 March 2027<\/strong>, plus the Life in the UK test. Family members applying for settlement face the same requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBritish citizenship may follow settlement if you meet the conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dependants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Your spouse or unmarried partner and your children under 18 can apply as dependants. Each pays \u00a3766, plus the health surcharge at the rates above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Family members have unlimited work rights; there is no restriction on the type of work, including employment, self employment and running a business. Children can attend school in the UK. Family members do not have to meet any English language or financial requirement, and there is no minimum income threshold for the main applicant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your family can apply at the same time as you or join you later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Does the Global Talent visa give me the right to work in the UK?<\/h3>\n\n\n
Yes, without restriction. You can be employed, self employed, a company director or a freelancer, or any combination of these. You do not need a sponsor and you are not tied to any employer.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Can I take on extra work alongside my main job?<\/h3>\n\n\n
Yes. There is no limit on the number of jobs, the extra work does not have to relate to the field you were endorsed in, and you do not have to tell the Home Office when you change roles.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Is there an English language requirement?<\/h3>\n\n\n
Not for the visa itself, either when you apply or when you extend. There is<\/strong> one for settlement: indefinite leave to remain requires English at CEFR level B1, or level B2 for applications made on or after 26 March 2027<\/strong>, plus the Life in the UK test. The same applies to family members.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Can my family come with me?<\/h3>\n\n\n
Yes. Your spouse and children under 18 can apply as family members and will have full rights to work and study in the UK.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Can I be self employed or start a company?<\/h3>\n\n\n
Yes. This is one of the main advantages of the route. You can set up a company, freelance, consult or hold shares, with no restrictions.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Is there a minimum salary requirement?<\/h3>\n\n\n
No.\u00a0There is no salary threshold at any stage. At the settlement stage you must show that you have earned money in your field in the UK, but no particular figure is required.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Can I study in the UK on the Global Talent visa?<\/h3>\n\n\n
Yes, you can study alongside your work, including at degree level and above. Some programmes may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Can the visa be extended?<\/h3>\n\n\n
Yes. As long as you continue to meet the requirements, you can extend by one to five years at a time, with no limit on the number of extensions. You do not need a new endorsement to extend.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Is there a minimum amount of time I have to spend in the UK?<\/h3>\n\n\n
There is no minimum for holding or extending the visa. For settlement, you must not spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any twelve month period; researchers are the exception, because time spent abroad for research counts towards the qualifying period.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Can I apply for indefinite leave to remain and citizenship?<\/h3>\n\n\n
Yes. Settlement is possible after three or five years depending on your type of endorsement, as set out in the table above, if you meet the conditions; British citizenship normally becomes possible twelve months after settlement.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
How Visavis can help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Endorsement is won or lost on evidence. In our experience, the applications that fail rarely come from people who are not good enough; they come from people who document the wrong things, choose the wrong endorsing body, or submit letters that read like general references rather than an argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We work with applicants across all seven routes: first assessing whether you meet the threshold, then identifying which body fits your profile, shaping your evidence file, and briefing the people writing your letters on what assessors actually want to see.<\/p>\n\n\n