Not All Global Talent Visas are Made to be Equal
The secret is out.
Not all Global Talent Visas are made to be equal.
Some are just ‘superior’ and affords you better opportunities than others. Some are harder to achieve while others have lower bar to entry. Of course, this blog can’t be a full comparative analysis. If we are to look at some of the more popular ones, we might start with the Arts vs. Sciences comparison (We’ll leave Tech way over there, because though they’re under the same visa category, they’re really in a league of their own). Let me pick 3 big-deal differences:
So, we already know there are two sub-categories under this route: Exceptional Talent and Exceptional Promise. For those in Arts, this distinction means Exceptional Talent = 3 years towards settlement, Exceptional Promise = 5 years towards settlement. For those in STEM, this distinction does not matter. All may apply to settle only after 3 years. The reason for this is a bit political but ostensibly it is because science and research are prioritised and encouraged under this visa. The quicker you get to settlement, the more you are likely to not leave the UK and make it your home.
When you apply for your settlement, you must show a record of your absences. For Global Talent, theses allowable absences mean only up to 6 months in any rolling period of 12 months (i.e. when you plan your travels, make sure you leave a gap of at least 6 months on either side of your single or cluster of travels within 12 months so you’re not caught by this restriction). There is one type of GT which sails through even requirements and that is those endorsed by STEM endorsing bodies (RAEng, British Academy, Royal Society, UKRI). If you have been away on a research project, these do not count towards ‘absences’ - effectively you can be out for as long as you need during your GT visa and still be able to return to the UK and apply to settle. Absolute bees knees. (N.B. How do you prove your research activities? Well, this is where it gets a bit tricky. What evidence you must prepare - if at all - depends wholly on your circumstances. Get legal advice or representation on this).
Did you know that almost all endorsements start with the first requirement of Media Recognition evidence? It’s only recently been observed that there are significant discrepancy in this requirement between the different disciplines. I wrote about this in my previous blog on Fashion Designers. Whereas for those applying under the arts and architecture may provide media recognition evidence e.g. a newspaper or magazine article which eulogises a group exhibition or project without naming the applicant, as long as you could provide a supporting letter from the project’s lead confirming your significant contribution, this sort of ‘leeway’ is not afforded to Fashion Designers. For Fashion Designer applicants, you must find media recognition pieces which mention you by name and discusses your work as an individual designer. It would be fine to showcase your work which you produced while under the employ of another fashion house or a designer as long as your work under your name is critiqued.
And I’ll be back soon with some other points of interest on Global Talent Visa! In the meantime, do get in touch if you need my assistance.