Tier 1 Exceptional Talent
The Tier 1 Exceptional Talent route is designed for ‘exceptionally talented’ individuals in the fields of science, humanities, engineering and the performing arts. Those using this route must be internationally recognised at the highest level as world leaders in their particular field, or recognised as having already demonstrated exceptional promise and are likely to become world leaders in their field.
Applications must be made by migrants themselves, although the Work Permits Desk can provide guidance where necessary. Applicants under this route will not need to be sponsored by an employer, but their application must be endorsed by a ‘Competent Body’ which is expert in the relevant field.
There are four designated Competent Bodies (the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society and Arts Council England) whose role will be to vouch to the UK Border Agency that in their opinion the migrant is exceptionally talented.
The total number of Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visas available will be limited to 1000 between 6 April 2012 and 5 April 2013. The 1000 available visas will be split across two phases; there will be 500 visas available during the first phase (6 April 2012 to 30 September 2012) and a further 500 available during the second phase (1 October 2012 to 5 April 2013). Each of the four Competent Bodies will only be permitted to endorse a pre-determined limited number of applicants during each phase (which, in total, will amount to the 500 visas available). If all 500 visas available during the first phase are granted before 30 September 2012, the UK Border Agency will stop accepting applications until the next phase opens.
The application process for a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa is as follows:
- The applicant requests a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Unique Reference Number from the UK Border Agency by emailing Tier1ExTalentEoI@UKBA.gsi.gov.uk . This request must state the appropriate designated Competent Body to endorse the applicant.
- The UK Border Agency will provide the applicant with a Unique Reference Number if there are places available within the limit for the selected designated Competent Body.
- The applicant must then make an application for a visa/entry clearance to the UK Border Agency Visa Services (i.e. their local British Embassy/ Visa Application Centre), together with the Unique Reference Number and supporting documents as detailed in the guidance published by the relevant Competent Body within 10 working days of the date the Unique Reference Number is issued. Please note, the application must be submitted to the UK Border Agency Visa Services, not directly to the Competent Body.
- The UK Border Agency Visa Services will send the relevant documentation to the applicant’s chosen Competent Body who will advise the UK Border Agency whether the applicant meets their endorsement criteria.
- The UK Border Agency Visa Services will then consider the visa/entry clearance application, taking into account whether the designated Competent Body has endorsed the applicant, and will notify the applicant of their decision.
Each Competent Body has set criteria which it will operate to select those who qualify for endorsement. Further information on the eligibility criteria relevant to each Competent Body, as well as the UK Border Agency’s Policy Guidance which gives more detail on the application requirements can be found on the UK Border Agency website.
Those given permission to enter the UK under Tier 1 Exceptional Talent can stay for 3 years and 4 months. It is possible to apply for an extension to stay for another 2 years.
It is not possible to switch into the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent route from another immigration category from within the UK. However, it is possible to extend an existing Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa from within the UK.
A Tier 1 Exceptional Talent application will cost £816 for all migrants except those from Turkey, Croatia and FYR Macedonia who will pay a reduced fee of £734. Each dependant application will cost £816.