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In an effort to boost our economy and continue to attract the “best and the brightest” to the UK, the Home Office announced yesterday 5th May 2021, that they will be fast tracking the visa application process for artists and entertainers, winners of top achievement awards in design, technology and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) talents. This visa, known as the Global Talent Visa will allow recognised winners of these awards to be able to live and work in the UK more easily.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said that the “new point-based immigration system was designed for – attracting the best and brightest based on the skills and talent they have, not where they’ve come from.”

As an example of awards and winners eligible for this fast-track Global Talent Route:

Film, TV and theatre Various Academy Award (Oscars) and Golden Globe categories; Bafta – best film actress/actor/director; various Tony Awards and Olivier Awards
Music Brit Award – international male/female; Mobo – best international act; Grammys – lifetime achievement award
Arts & literature Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize; Hugo Boss Prize; Nobel Prize – Literature
STEM Nobel Prize winners in Physics, Chemistry, Economic Science and Medicine; Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering; Fields Medal; Turing Award

But this visa route will also apply to designers and architects, IT specialists and engineers who have won recognised prestigious awards in their field.

From today, people who qualify for this Global Talent Visa route will go through a simpler fast-tracked visa application process and will not need to obtain an endorsement from one of the six registered bodies. Each case will still be assessed on a case-by-case basis, it decisions are expected to be provided promptly.

Contact us for further information or let us know how we can help you through this process.

 

Bee

Bee has more than 18 years’ experience in UK immigration and nationality law and has been advising businesses that have been expanding into the UK or growing their UK presence or workforce.