Fast track UK immigration route opens for award-winning talent

The new Global Talent route, launched in February 2021, is designed to allow individuals to live in the UK based on their skills and talents, rather than their nationality. This new points-based system aims to attract the best and brightest talent to the UK.

The fast-track option, launched on 5 May 2021, allows individuals who hold a qualifying prize to fast track the endorsement application and instead make a single visa application. 

Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

‘Winners of these awards have reached the pinnacle of their career and they have so much to offer the UK. These important changes will give them the freedom to come and work in our world leading arts, sciences, music, and film industries as we build back better.’

What kinds of awards qualify an individual for the Global Talent Visa? 

Winners of awards across a range of fields from music, dance, fashion, architecture and social sciences, music and the film industry can take advantage of the new reforms to the Global Talent route. 

Science, technology, engineering and maths

• Nobel Prize winners in Physics, Chemistry, Economic Science and Medicine
• Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering
• Fields Medal
• Turing Award

Music

• Brit Award – International Male/Female 
• Mobo – Best International Act
• Grammys – Lifetime Achievement Award

Film, TV and theatre

• Various Academy Award and Golden Globe categories
• Bafta – Best Film Actress/Actor/Director
• Tony Awards and Olivier Awards

Arts & literature

• Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize
• Hugo Boss Prize
• Nobel Prize – Literature 

How can I get a Global Talent visa for the UK?

You can usually only apply for a Global Talent visa if you have successfully applied for an endorsement to prove that you are a leader or potential leader. You can find out more about eligibility for the Global Talent visa here.

However, as of 5 May 2021 you may apply for the visa without an endorsement if you’ve won an eligible award listed above.