UK Global Talent Visa Checklist — £766 (£561+£205), Endorsement or Prize
The Global Talent visa is for leaders and potential leaders in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology. There are two ways in: hold an eligible prestigious prize and apply directly, or get an endorsement from an approved body first. It costs £766 and can lead to settlement after 3 or 5 years. Verified against GOV.UK, September 2026.
Stage A — What you must have
- ☐ You are a leader or potential leader in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology.
- ☐ You are 18 or over.
- ☐ Path (a) — an eligible prestigious prize on the official list, and you are the named award winner → apply directly, without endorsement.
- ☐ Path (b) — otherwise obtain an endorsement from a Home Office approved endorsing body.
Stage B — Applying from outside the UK
- ☐ You have your endorsement (or a qualifying prize).
- ☐ You apply within 3 months of receiving the endorsement letter.
- ☐ The endorsing body has not withdrawn the endorsement.
Stage C — Fees and money
- ☐ Total £766. Endorsement route: £561 endorsement fee + £205 visa fee. Prize route: £766 in one payment.
- ☐ Partner and children: £766 each.
- ☐ IHS: £1,035 a year, on top.
Stage D — Length, settlement and identity
- ☐ Length: up to 5 years at a time; no overall limit; renewals can be 1 to 5 years.
- ☐ Settlement: depending on your field and route, after 3 or 5 years.
- ☐ Decision time: usually within 3 weeks from outside the UK, or 8 weeks from inside; paid priority is available.
- ☐ Identity: use the UK Immigration: ID Check app, or attend a visa application centre for biometrics.
Get it right the first time
- Decide your path early — the prize route skips endorsement, but only for named winners of eligible prizes.
- Watch the 3-month clock — after endorsement you must apply in time.
- Budget the IHS on top of the £766.
- Check the prize list — it lives in an official publication, not on this page.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for a UK Global Talent visa?
A leader or potential leader in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology, aged 18 or over. There are two paths: an eligible prize, or an endorsement from a Home Office approved endorsing body.
What is the difference between the prize and endorsement routes?
If you have won an eligible prestigious prize listed in the official publication, you can apply directly without endorsement. Otherwise you must first be endorsed, then apply within 3 months of that endorsement.
How much does the Global Talent visa cost?
£766 in total: on the endorsement route it is £561 (endorsement) plus £205 (visa); on the prize route it is £766 in one go. Partners and children pay £766 each, plus the IHS at £1,035 a year.
How long can I stay, and when can I settle?
Up to 5 years at a time with no overall limit; renewals can be 1 to 5 years. Depending on your field and route, you may apply for settlement after 3 or 5 years.
How long does the Global Talent visa take?
Usually within 3 weeks from outside the UK, or 8 weeks from inside. Paid priority is available.
How do I prove my identity for the application?
You can use the UK Immigration: ID Check app, or attend a visa application centre to give your biometric information.
Official source: gov.uk — Global Talent visa and “apply from outside the UK”, retrieved 2026-09-27. Confidence A (official pages, quoted verbatim). The list of eligible prizes is not reproduced here — check the official publication.
Related: see the UK visa checklist for other purposes of travel. Prepare your identity documents with the UK passport photo page, the digital file requirements guide for an app check, and the passport photo checker.