The Home Office commissioned Ipsos research study into the Global Talent route has been published. The report provides interesting data and feedback on the route and suggests ways it can be improved.
The Global Talent route was introduced in 2020 replacing the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa. Applicants need to receive an endorsement from one of a selected number of endorsing bodies including the British Academy, Royal Society, Arts Council England and Tech Nation, depending on their fields of experience. The Global Talent route is itself very flexible, but the endorsement process can be difficult.
The Ipsos research study has evaluated how this route is working, by reviewing successful holders of the Global Talent visa via a survey, case study interviews, and in-depth interviews. The findings may indicate a direction of travel for the Global Talent route.
Why choose the Global Talent route?
The report found that ‘the flexibility provided by the visa’ and ‘the opportunity to settle in the UK’ were the main factors as to why applicants chose this route.
Considering that successful applicants can work for any organisation or employer, within or outside of their field, and be employed or self-employed, the flexibility of this route is impressive. In addition, the route can lead to accelerated Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after three years residence in the UK, and the requirements to be met in that application can be relatively straightforward.
The route was designed to attract ‘the brightest and the best’ and the flexible aspects and accelerated ILR of the route are clearly working to achieve this aim.
However, the report did note frustration that dependants were not permitted to apply for ILR on the accelerated three-year timeline, and instead must wait the full five years. This is an infuriating aspect of the Global Talent route, and somewhat short-sighted, as applicants do consider their dependants route to ILR as much as their own. Hopefully this can be adjusted going forward.
Application process
The report was largely positive towards the application process. One in three visa holders did suggest ‘that the endorsement process could be improved through the provision of more guidance on what information you need to provide, with some participants recommending that case studies of successful applicants could be particularly useful’.
Case studies would certainly be useful, as the endorsement criteria across the route have to, by definition, be broad. For instance, the British Academy peer review guidance sets out that endorsers consider:
‘the significance of your publications, prizes and research funding awarded… The assessors are looking for compelling evidence demonstrating a high degree of originality, creativity, independence, and intellectual leadership in research and innovation. They will consider the merit, novelty, significance, and quality of your research and innovation vision, and how it has advanced or is expected to advance the field.’
Applicants can often feel that their work meets these discretionary criteria, while endorsers may disagree. Further case studies would certainly make it clearer how work can be considered original, creative, and the level of significance required. However, as the report notes, there would have to be a consideration of case studies ‘only having direct relevance to a potentially small proportion of potential applicants’ and so this would have to be drafted carefully.
Further, that some applicants suggested further guidance should be issued as to the information they need to provide. Applicants endorsed by Tech Nation, for instance, were more likely to express this view than some of the other endorsers. There have been long standing complications in meeting the requirements of the Tech Nation route, and further information about the documents to provide for demonstrating ‘significant commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the field’ for example, would certainly be helpful.
Life in the UK
Most of the individuals surveyed were in full-time paid employment. Those endorsed by UKRI, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society, or British Academy were most likely to be in full-time paid employment. There were higher rates of self-employment for those endorsed by Tech Nation (25%) and Arts Council England (62%), reflecting the differences of taking on work in different sectors.
One in 20 survey participants had started their own businesses and ‘participants emphasised the attractiveness of particular industries in the UK that they saw as hubs for innovation and/or had high growth potential.’
Overall, applicants were positive about their life in the UK, the contributions they have made to UK society, and their dependants welfare.
The Global Talent route is very advantageous and has attracted leaders and potential leaders in a variety of fields to the UK. Some further tweaks would help to ensure it remains competitive in attracting global talent.
Global Talent visa applications: How we can help
The Home Office will carefully scrutinise an application for a Global Talent visa. If it considers that any of the requirements have not been met, the application will fall for refusal. It is therefore essential that the application is prepared thoroughly and carefully.
We are experienced in preparing visa applications that rely on talent and will provide expert guidance and assistance to you throughout the process. For further advice, please contact us.
