As a skilled professional from Africa, you can apply for a Global Talent visa to work in the UK if you’re a leader or potential leader in one of the following fields:

• academia or research
• arts and culture
• digital technology

You must also be at least 18 years old.

Before you apply for a visa

You can usually only apply for a Global Talent visa if you have successfully applied for an endorsement to prove that you are a leader or potential leader. You can apply for the visa without an endorsement if you’ve won an eligible award. To find out more, you can consult us on +234 808 3739 204, +44(0)7774154001

If you’re not eligible for a Global Talent visa, there are other ways to work in the UK – for example a Skilled Worker visa.

How long you can stay

You can live and work in the UK for up to 5 years at a time.

If you want to stay longer in the UK

There’s no limit to how long you can stay in the UK in total, but you will need to renew (‘extend’) your visa when it expires. Each extension can last from 1 to 5 years – you choose how long you want the extension to be.

You may be able to get indefinite leave to remain so you can settle in the UK after 3 or 5 years, depending on which field you work in and how you apply. This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.

How to apply

You must apply online.

How you apply depends on whether you’re:

• outside the UK and are coming to the UK
• inside the UK and extending your current visa
• inside the UK and switching from a different visa

How long it takes

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

• 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
• 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

If you need to go to an appointment, you may be able to pay for a faster decision. How you do this depends on whether you’re outside the UK or inside the UK.

Fees

It costs £623 to apply.

If you’re applying based on an endorsement, you’ll pay the £623 in two parts:

• £456 when you apply for the endorsement
• £167 when you apply for the visa itself

If you’re applying based on an eligible award, you’ll pay the full £623 when you apply for the visa.

If you’re including your partner or children in your application, they’ll each need to pay £623.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application – this is usually £624 per year for each person applying. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

Would you like information on Global Talent Visa if you’re interested in moving to the United Kingdom, then contact us today on +234 808 3739 204, +44(0)7774154001

Source: UKVI