What is a global talent visa and who can apply?
The UK Global Talent visa is an immigration route designed for individuals in specific sectors to live and work in the UK. In February 2020, the Global Talent visa replaced the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa route. It is targeted at attracting exceptional talent into the country.
What is a Global Talent visa?
The UK Global Talent visa is open to talented and promising individuals within the fields of
- Academic and research
- Arts and culture
- Digital technology
The applicant applying under this category does not require a job offer. However, the individual must secure an endorsement from any one of the six approved endorsing bodies.
It is granted for up to 5 years and can be renewed and extended from 1 to 5 years. Moreover, this attractive visa route leads to settlement and accelerated permanent residence.
Who can apply for a Global Talent visa?
This visa is open to applicants aged over 18 with exceptional talent within the fields of science, engineering, humanities, social science, medicine, architecture, fashion, and film and television.
The applicant must make an application from outside the UK and score 70 points under the new point-based immigration system to gain the Global Talent UK visa.
To be eligible for this visa route, the applicants must satisfy the UKVI that
- They have been issued endorsement by a Home Office approved body
- They have been awarded a prize listed in the Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes
- The Global Talent visa application does not fall under the grounds for refusal
- Provide a valid TB certificate (not mandatory in all cases)
Eligibility requirements for the UK Global Talent visa
The eligibility requirements may differ depending on the applicant’s field and circumstances.
Academic & Research
This category is related to the fields of science, medicine, humanities, and engineering.
- The applicant is an active researcher or holds a senior position (university professor) in the UK
- They are part of the research grant approved by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Arts and culture
- In the last five years, the applicant has worked regularly to produce an outstanding work of art
- The applicant’s work is recognized internationally in at least two countries and has exceptional promise with evidence from at least one country
Architecture
- The applicant is professionally engaged as an architect for the last 5 years
- The architect has worked internationally in at least two countries with media recognition
- They have won an award or have done work that RIBA considers ‘exceptional’
Fashion Design
- The applicant must demonstrate professional engagement in the last five years
- They must be a leading figure in the fashion industry or provide three letters of recommendation
- Their work has been exhibited internationally
Film & Television
- Three letters of recommendation from the relevant organisations
- The applicant has proof of winning the main award or has been nominated for one in the last 10 years
Digital Technology
- The technical applicant has worked for a senior position in the innovative product-led tech company
- Evidence of three letters of recommendation from authorised organisations
Applying for the UK Global Talent Visa
The applicant can either apply online or at the visa application center. Submit an endorsement letter and other supporting documents at the time of applying for the visa. The ‘talent’ applicant will usually receive the decision on the application within 3 weeks.
Who can adopt? Checklist
Adoption is open to people with a whole range of backgrounds and life experiences, capable of giving a child a happy home. There is a broad criterion to determine who can and can not adopt. It is more about the person’s capabilities and potential that make him suitable to adopt a child.
Who Can Adopt?
In the UK, there are thousands of children, coming from a wide variety of religions and ethnic backgrounds, who need to be adopted. Most adoption agencies prefer people who are warm and compassionate and have the health and energy to support the child through to adulthood and beyond.
To adopt, you must meet the following requirements
- The person can adopt if he is aged 21 or over (no upper age limit)
- You can still adopt if you are single or an unmarried couple
- Married couples, civil partners, and couples in a long-term relationships can adopt
- Heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, whether you are unmarried or a couple
- Disability or health issue does not automatically bar you from adoption
- Individuals from any ethnic or religious background
- Any individual can still adopt if they already have children
- Legally resident in the UK, the Channel of Islands, or the Isle of Man, or have been domiciled for 12 months
- A person can adopt even if he is a homeowner or lives in a rented apartment, however, a spare bedroom for an adopted child is required
- An individual who ended fertility treatment at least six months ago
- People looking to adopt for the second time
- Any individual employed or eligible for support and benefits
Who can be adopted?
Similar to eligibility criteria for adoption, a child must meet the following requirements to be adopted.
- The child must be under 18 years of age at the time when the adoption application is made
- The child must not be (or never have been) married or in a civil partnership
The biological parents must agree to the adoption unless they can not be found or incapable of giving consent.
Do you have to be a British citizen to adopt a child?
Fortunately, any individual thinking of adoption does not have to be a British citizen, however;
- The person or his partner has a permanent home in the UK, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man
- Prior to the adoption application process, the individual must have lived in the UK for a minimum of 1 year
Criminal Record and Adoption
Having a criminal record would not necessarily rule someone out, however, it would be carefully looked into when determining the eligibility of the applicant.
If the person or any member of the household has a criminal conviction against children or serious sexual offences, they will be automatically excluded from adopting a child.
Disclaimer:
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Connaught Law and authors accept no responsibility for loss that may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Connaught Law. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Connaught Law.
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