Global Talent, Start-up, Innovator and Graduate Visas

The Home Office is keen to emphasise that the UK wants to attract only the best and brightest talent from around the world. On 20 February 2020 the Global Talent route was launched under the current system for non-EU citizens, so as to improve the UK’s attractiveness to highly skilled individuals with specialist skills. The route reformed and replaced Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) and is designed to attract recognised global leaders, and tomorrow’s leaders in science, humanities, engineering, the arts (including architecture, film and fashion design) and digital technology. This is with a view to enriching the UK’s knowledge, economy and society. Top scientists and researchers are able to benefit from a quicker endorsement process as part of a fast track STEM scheme. Moreover, a cross-departmental unit called the Office for Talent will be set up in order to make it easier for leading global scientists, researchers and innovators to come and live and work in the UK. For the Global Talent route applicants must be endorsed by a recognised UK body, as approved by the Home Office. Individuals can apply the following endorsing bodies who will verify their expertise before they can apply for a visa, The Royal Society, for science and medicine, The British Academy, for humanities, The Royal Academy of Engineering, for engineering UK Research and Innovation, for science and research, Tech Nation, for digital technology and Arts Council England, for arts and culture.

Once endorsed, subject to criminality and immigration checks, migrants are given a highly flexible permission, enabling them to work for employers or be self-employed. They are allowed to change jobs without informing the Home Office and travel abroad and return to the UK for research purposes and bring dependants with them. There is no limit on the number of eligible individuals who can use the Global Talent route which will be open to both EU and non-EU citizens. Individuals internationally recognised at both the highest level and as leaders in their particular field, or who have demonstrated promise and are likely to become leaders in their area. The Fast-track Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics scheme will facilitate access for top scientists and researchers, who will enhance the intellectual and knowledge base of the UK, a fast-track endorsement process is available to EU and non-EU citizens and to benefit from this offer, persons must be (i) in receipt of a named award or fellowship, (ii) in a senior academic position, such as a professor or associate Professor, within an eligible higher education Institution, research organisation or institute, and (iii) part of a publicly funded research team that in receipt of prestigious funding or awards.

The Home Office is keen to stress that the Start-up and Innovator routes are designed to attract entrepreneurial talent and highly innovative, scalable business ideas to the UK. Launched in March 2019 under the current system for non-EU citizens, both routes are for individuals looking to set up an innovative UK business. Start-up is for those setting up an innovative business for the first time whilst Innovator is for those with industry experience and at least £50,000 funding. 

Individuals require support from an Endorsing Body, before applying, which must have assessed the business idea as being innovative, viable and scalable. The routes are not capped, and the UK Government has been actively promoting the routes to attract talented entrepreneurs. The Home Office says that the Start-up and Innovator routes aim to enhance the UK’s visa offer to leading international business talent and maintain the UK’s position as a top destination for innovation and entrepreneurs. In the future, the UK will continue to its expand coverage of the existing routes to more sectors and businesses.

These routes will be open to both EU and non-EU citizens. Applicants can apply as individuals or teams. The Start-up route is for those setting up a business for the first time, who need to work to support themselves while developing their business ideas. 

The Innovator route is for those with industry experience and at least £50,000 funding, who can dedicate their working time to their business ventures, or those moving from Start-up who are progressing their business. Each applicant for Start-up and Innovator must have the support of an approved Endorsing Body. Endorsing Bodies are either Higher Education Providers or business organisations with a track record of supporting UK based entrepreneurs and the support of a government department. Endorsing bodies assess each application to ensure it is innovative, viable and scalable, and are responsible for monitoring the progress of the businesses they endorse.To deliver and ensure an improved service to users the Home Office has partnered with some of the UK’s leading business development experts. It is they, rather than the Home Office, who assess applicants’ business ideas.

The new graduate route for the UK will be launched in summer 2021 so as to provide international students the opportunity to stay in the UK to work or look for work after the have graduated, this is what was known as the post study work visa.

Those with undergraduate and master’s degrees will be able to stay for two years under the route, and PhD students will get a bonus year and they will be able to stay for three years. Graduates will be able to switch into other routes in accordance with the wider approach to switching when applying for leave inside the UK. This will include the ability to switch into work routes if they are able to meet the requirements. The new graduate route will also seek to increase the attractiveness of the UK’s offer to international students, and to ensure the UK remains internationally competitive and assist in the country’s ambition to increase the number of international students in higher education as set out in the International Education Strategy published in March 2019. It will be an unsponsored route.

All successful applicants will be granted a one-time non-extendable leave period of two years if graduating at undergraduate or masters level, or three years if graduating with a PhD, on this route and will be able to work, or look for work, at any skill level during this period. As in the past, the new graduate route will also be points-based, with the full number of points being awarded for the successful completion of a degree from a UK Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance.

At the present time, the Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES) is open to those international students who have completed a PhD in the UK and allowing them to remain and work here for 12 months after completing their studies. The DES will be closed at the point the new Graduate Route is introduced. The Graduate Route significantly improves on the offer of the DES, providing an additional two years and a more streamlined pathway for those who have completed their PhD than the current route. The new Graduate route will be open to international students, who have valid leave as a Tier 4 (General) Student or as a student at the time of application and who have successfully completed a degree at undergraduate level or above at a UK Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance during that grant of leave.

Notably, applicants must have completed the entirety of their degree in the UK except for permitted study abroad programmes or when distance learning has been necessary due to Covid-19. The route will not have a maintenance requirement and applicants will not need to demonstrate English language ability as they will already have proved English language ability by successfully completing a degree at a UK university. Applicants will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at the usual rate for the Points-Based System’s routes. This route will not have recourse to public funds.