UK Global Talent Visa Introduction | Requirements & Guide

UK GLOBAL TALENT VISA: INTRODUCTION

UK GLOBAL TALENT VISA: INTRODUCTION FOR RESIDENTS OF SWITZERLAND

The Global Talent visa offers an opportunity for exceptional and promising Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) residing in Switzerland and working in fields such as science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology, arts, and culture (including film, television, fashion design, and architecture) to work in the UK.

Talent and Promise: Swiss resident applicants recognised as 'Talent' are leaders in their field, while those showing 'Promise' demonstrate potential to become future leaders.
No Cap, No Job Offer Required: This immigration category has no cap on applicants from Switzerland, does not require a job offer in the UK, and can lead to settlement in the UK. Dependents, including partners and children under 18, can also apply under this visa.

UK Global Talent Visa Requirements for Residents of Switzerland

To qualify for a UK Global Talent visa from Switzerland, you must satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

Age: You are 18 years or older.
Endorsement: You have received an endorsement letter from a Home Office-approved endorsing body, or you have won a prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes.
Grounds for Refusal: Your application does not fall under any general grounds for refusal.

The exact requirements may vary based on individual circumstances. Consulting a UK immigration law firm in Switzerland is advisable for personalised advice on your UK visa application.

To discuss your UK Global Talent Visa application with one of our specialist UK immigration lawyers in Switzerland, call +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form below.

Global Talent Endorsement Application

Most Global Talent Visa applicants from Switzerland must obtain an endorsement from a UK Home Office approved endorsing body reflecting their exceptional talent or promise. Endorsements are available across various fields including science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology, and arts and culture.

Each endorsing body has distinct criteria requiring substantial work and expert support in your field. For detailed requirements by field, visit:

Once endorsed, you can proceed with your Global Talent Visa application in Switzerland. Alternatively, winning a qualifying Prestigious Prize allows for a direct visa application from Switzerland without further endorsement.

Global Talent Prestigious Prizes Route

Winners of qualifying prestigious awards can fast-track their endorsement and directly apply for a UK Global Talent visa from Switzerland. The list of eligible prizes is maintained in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes, updated periodically to reflect outstanding individual talent.

Prizes must be internationally recognised and awarded based on expert or peer evaluation, not by public vote or organisation-wide achievements.

Global Talent Category Details

English Language Requirement: Not mandatory for entry but required for settlement.
Maintenance Funds: No financial requirement.
Visa Validity: Applicants can select up to 5 years' leave in a single application, offering flexibility in stay duration and associated Immigration Health Surcharge payments.

Global Talent Visa Extension and Settlement for Individuals from Switzerland

Extensions of Global Talent Visas are permissible without a maximum stay limit, contingent upon meeting earnings criteria in the relevant field or prize category. Settlement eligibility after 3 years (or 5 years under certain conditions) requires demonstrating language proficiency and integration in the UK.

Applying for a UK Global Talent Visa from Switzerland

UK Global Talent Visa applications can be submitted in Switzerland up to three months before intended travel, requiring an endorsement decision beforehand. Priority services expedite application processing times, typically taking around a week for decisions.

Working and Living in the UK

Global Talent Visa holders from Switzerland enjoy full work rights (excluding professional sports coaching), rights to study, and are ineligible for public funds.

Bringing Family Members

Spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, and children under 18 can join Global Talent visa holders in the UK.

How Our UK Immigration Lawyers in Switzerland Can Help

Through the Swiss office of our UK immigration law firm, we are delighted to offer a comprehensive range of UK immigration legal services to Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) residing in Switzerland.

Our UK visa and immigration services for Swiss nationals (and non-Swiss nationals) residing in Switzerland encompass expert guidance on all UK visa routes for Swiss residents, along with a fully-managed UK visa application preparation service tailored for Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) in Switzerland.

Our team specialises in supporting Swiss resident individuals working in science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology, and arts and culture seeking UK employment. We offer comprehensive guidance through Home Office regulations, ensuring clear and reliable immigration advice tailored to your needs.

For expert assistance with your UK Global Talent visa application, contact us at +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form below. We prioritise client satisfaction, offering proactive solutions in a friendly, professional manner.

WE CAN ALSO ASSIST WITH

Applications for endorsement for Swiss and non-Swiss Global Talent visa applicants

Arts Council England can endorse talented and promising individuals in the fields of dance, music, theatre, visual arts, literature, museums, galleries and combined arts. They can also endorse talented individuals in the fields of film, television, animation, post-production and visual effects.

The Royal Society is able to endorse experts in the field of maths, chemistry, physics, certain types of engineering, environmental science, biochemistry, biology, physiology, neuroscience, ecology and clinical sciences.

The Royal Academy of Engineering can endorse applications in engineering including mechanical, process, civil, biomedical, electrical, information communication technology and engineering policy.

The British Academy can endorse applications in humanities, social sciences, literature, theology and law.

Tech Nation can endorse applicants with technical and business skills. Tech Nation have a single set of criteria for applicants. There are fast track options for individuals planning to contribute to the North of the UK and for individuals with skills which are in particularly short supply. A team of 5 individuals can make an application under the fast track route, for example, an existing team planning a new venture in the UK.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) will consider applications from individuals operating in the scientific community who will be hosted or employed at a UK research organisation deemed acceptable by UKRI.

Applications for extension of stay for Global Talent visa holders from Switzerland

In order to qualify for an extension of stay on the Global Talent route you will need to have earned money in the UK during your last grant of leave.

These earnings will need to have been linked to the field which led to your initial Global Talent endorsement (if your initial application was granted using an endorsement) or a field related to the subject matter of your prize (if your initial application was granted using a prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes).

You will need to provide evidence from an independent source that is verifiable by the Home Office.

If your initial application was granted using an endorsement you must also not have had your endorsement withdrawn by the endorsing body and the endorsing body must continue to be approved by the Home Office.

The Home Office will also check your character and immigration history to check that you do not fall for refusal under the general grounds.

Applications for settlement for Global Talent visa holders from Switzerland

If you continue to satisfy the requirements for an extension of stay set out above and demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the English language and life in the UK then you will be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain after spending a continuous period of 3 years in the UK if:

You were endorsed by the Royal Society, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering or UKRI; or
You were endorsed under the exceptional talent criteria by Arts Council England or Tech Nation; or
You were granted your initial application using a prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes.

If you were last endorsed under the “exceptional promise” criteria for Arts Council England or Tech Nation you will need to spend a continuous period of 5 years in the UK before being eligible to apply for settlement.

The relevant continuous period can include time spent in the following immigration categories: Global Talent, Innovator, Tier 1 (excluding Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)), Skilled Worker, T2 Minister of Religion, T2 Sportsperson, Scale-up or Representative of an Overseas Business.

In order to qualify for indefinite leave to remain in the Global Talent category you will need to have spent not more than 180 days outside the UK during any rolling 12 month during the continuous period of leave relied upon.

Global Talent migrants who hold leave following an endorsement by one of the endorsing bodies for science, engineering, humanities and medicine and who have undertaken research overseas directly related to their grant of leave, will not have such absences counted when they apply for settlement. Partners of Global Talent migrants will be treated in the same way.

Fresh applications, Endorsement reviews, Administrative reviews and Judicial reviews for Global Talent migrants

If your application for entry clearance, leave to remain or settlement as a Global Talent migrant has been refused, our immigration barristers can advise on the merits of making a fresh application or challenging the decision.

If you believe that an error has been made in a decision on your endorsement, we can assist you in applying for an endorsement review.

If the decision-maker failed to apply the Immigration Rules or Home Office policy correctly, we can bring Administrative Review proceedings to challenge the decision.

If the decision to refuse your application was unlawful, unreasonable or procedurally improper, our immigration barristers can apply for Judicial Review and provide representation at Judicial Review hearings.