IMPACT – HIGH

Effective July 1, a temporary Global Talent visa concession is available as part of UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) endorsed funder route for those undertaking COVID-19 research in the U.K. The Global Talent visa is an immigration category for talented individuals in specific sectors wishing to work in the U.K. The Global Talent visa replaced the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa earlier this year.

Key Points:

  • Applicants under this concession will be required to meet the full UKRI endorsed funder requirements with the exception that:
    • Written confirmation from the endorsed funder must confirm the grant of award covers a minimum period of one year instead of two years.
    • Employment contract or hosting agreement of the applicant must have at least one year (instead of two years) remaining at the time of the application for endorsement.
  • The letter from the employer or host institution should also confirm that applicants are working on a COVID-19-related grant and provide the corresponding unique database reference number from the UK Collaborative on Development Research COVID-19 Research Project Tracker, or equivalent evidence. For further details, please see UKRI’s website.
  • Applicants who are successfully endorsed under this concession and are already in the U.K. will be able to switch into the route from any category. This replaces the standard switching requirements.
  • In all other respects, the Global Talent application will remain the same. For applicants who are endorsed, there will be no difference in the requirements to be granted entry clearance or leave to remain, and any grant of leave received will be under the normal Global Talent Immigration Rules. This means applicants endorsed under the concession may request a five-year grant of leave and would be eligible for settlement after three years.

Additional information: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

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