For exceptional and emerging leaders across tech, science, engineering, humanities, fashion, architecture, film & TV and the arts. Live and work in the UK without a job offer or sponsor. ILR in 3 years on Talent.
No employer tie. No business plan. No salary floor in most cases. Granted for up to 5 years, extensible indefinitely. ILR in 3 years on Exceptional Talent.
You choose 1–5 years; extensible indefinitely.
Promise route: 5 years to ILR, in any field.
Outside the UK; next-working-day inside.
No job offer, no business plan, no salary floor.
You don't need a UK employer or job offer to apply.
Be employed, freelance, found a startup, change jobs, or all of the above.
Partner and dependant children join you with full work and study rights.
ILR in 3 years on Talent or 5 years on Promise.
Naturalisation typically 12 months after ILR.
Required only at ILR, not at the visa stage.
Choosing correctly affects your evidence load, your timeline, and how soon you settle.
You're already recognised internationally as a leader, with a sustained record of high-impact work.
You haven't hit the Talent bar yet, but your trajectory is unmistakable. Standout output, strong recent achievements, senior peer recognition.
Six bodies plus three Arts Council partners, each with its own evidence rules. The right body is the single biggest predictor of success.
Software, hardware, AI/ML, fintech, SaaS, devtools, data, cybersecurity. Founders and senior operators.
Take the Tech Nation test →Natural sciences, medical research, life sciences. PIs, postdocs, clinicians at world-class institutions.
Take the Science test →Civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, software systems, biomedical, aerospace.
Take the Science / Engineering test →Historians, economists, philosophers, anthropologists, political scientists, linguists.
Take the academic test →An accelerated path for named recipients of UKRI grants and fellowships.
Take the UKRI test →Largest arts gateway. Refers sub-sectors to PACT (film & TV), RIBA (architecture) and the British Fashion Council (fashion).
Browse arts routes →If you've won a qualifying international prize, you can apply directly to Stage 2 with no endorsement, personal statement or recommendation letters. The Home Office maintains a defined list of qualifying awards.
We typically spend 1–4 weeks on preparation before filing. End-to-end most cases land in 6–14 weeks.
Apply for ILR after 3 years on Exceptional Talent or 5 years on Exceptional Promise. Naturalisation typically follows 12 months after ILR (5 years' residence in total).
Bring your spouse, civil or unmarried partner (2+ years cohabitation) and dependant children under 18. Dependants get full work and study rights and aren't tied to your employer.
Switch from Skilled Worker, Innovator Founder, HPI, Student or Graduate visas. Time on your previous visa typically counts toward ILR, often shaving 1–2 years off settlement.
Take the route-specific free test. 5–8 minutes. A real human review of your result within one working day.
Important. Talentvisa is a triage and assessment platform, part of the Sterling Max Group. The content on this site is general information about the UK Global Talent Visa and does not constitute legal advice. Eligibility depends on the full facts of each case and is decided by the Home Office and the relevant endorsing body. Personalised legal advice is provided by Sterling Law, our partner firm, authorised under the Immigration Advice Authority. Outcomes vary, past results do not guarantee future ones.