UK announces new fast-track visa for ‘Global Talent’
प्रकाशित मिति : माघ १९, २०७६ आईतबार
THE UK Government has announced the details of a new fast-track visa scheme to attract overseas researchers, that is set to come into force in February.
According to a new Statement of Changes, effective February 20, 2020, the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa will be replaced by the Global Talent Visa, which will expand the existing route by allowing scientists, researchers and other qualifying foreign nationals to enter and work in the United Kingdom and in most cases provide an accelerated path to permanent residence.
The Global Talent category expands the previous Tier 1 Exceptional Talent route by allowing leading individuals in the sciences to enter the United Kingdom on an accelerated route to settlement. The Tier 1 Exceptional Talent route already allows world leading individuals in the fields of digital technology, and arts and culture (including film and television, fashion and architecture).
There will be no limit on how many foreign nationals will be accepted under the Global Talent Route, whereas under Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent), applications are capped at 2,000 per year.
More qualified candidates can be accepted under the program than under the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) route. It should be noted, however, that the existing cap on Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) had never been reached.
Foreign nationals who obtain visas under the Global Talent Route in the fields of science, engineering, humanities and medicine will have an accelerated path to permanent residence. Foreign nationals will not have to wait as long to obtain permanent residence as under the Tier 1 category.
The qualifying period for permanent residence under ‘promise’ criteria for digital technology and arts and culture will remain for five years. Applicants already under Tier 1 can apply for permanent residence without switching to the Global Talent program.
Applicants for science, engineering, humanities and medicine that undertake research overseas related to their visa may do so without their absences being counted when their settlement application is assessed. This applies to dependants as well.
Under a Tier 1 visa, absences from the United Kingdom during their visa stay counted against the settlement application requirements. The new visa will allow applicants to undertake overseas research relating to their visa and still qualify for permanent residence.