Work in the UK as a researcher or academic leader (Global Talent visa)
UK Research and Innovation endorsement
You may be eligible for endorsement if you’re working on a research grant or award from a funder approved by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Eligibility
Your grant must have been awarded by an organisation on the list of endorsed funders.
The organisation employing or hosting you must be approved by UKRI. The organisation must be in the UK, but you can do research abroad.
You must also:
- have at least 1 year left on your employment contract or hosting agreement
- spend at least half of your time working on the grant
- be working on a grant worth at least £30,000 that covers at least 2 years
- have either a one-off grant or award or a ‘renewable’ award with regular peer review
If you’re a principal investigator or co-investigator you can work on more than one grant, as long as in total they make up at least half of your time.
Along with your grant or award you must either:
- lead a unique research or innovation project
- contribute to research in developing new technology or methodology
If you’re leading on research or a project
If you’ll lead a unique research or innovation project either independently or under acceptable supervision, you must:
- have a PhD or equivalent research experience (including clinical and industrial research)
- have actively participated in your relevant field of research within a university, research institution or industrial setting
You must also either:
- be named on the research grant application
- have your job title on the research grant application
If you’re contributing to research
If you will contribute to research in developing new technology or methodology you must have research experience within a university, research institution or industrial setting.
You must also either:
- have a UK bachelor’s degree
- have an equivalent overseas research degree
- have equivalent research experience (including clinical and industrial research)
If you’ve had a career break
If you’ve recently taken time away from actively participating in your relevant field of research, for example a career break or parental leave, and you’ll be returning to your employment, you’ll still be eligible for the Global Talent visa.
Documents you need to provide
If your grant or award is on the list of UKRI approved award databases, you must provide a link to it in your endorsement application.
The database must confirm the grant or award:
- is worth at least £30,000 and covers at least 2 years
- is either a one-off funding payment or a ‘renewable’ award with regular peer review
If your grant or award is not included on the database, you’ll need a letter from your endorsed funder instead.
You also need to provide a letter from the director of human resources (or equivalent) at the organisation where you’re working. This needs to say all of the following:
- the name of the position and department where you work
- that you have accepted the job offer or hosting agreement
- that you are essential to the grant
- that you will be spending at least half of your agreed working time on the grant
- details of the fair recruitment process, if you were not specifically named on the grant application
You need to provide documents for all grants you’re using for your endorsement application.
Apply for endorsement
Once you have the documents, you can apply for endorsement.
You’ll usually get a decision on your application within 2 weeks.
Apply for the Global Talent visa
You can apply for the Global Talent visa at the same time as you apply for endorsement, or after you have the endorsement confirmed.
If your permission to stay in the UK is about to expire, applying for the visa will extend it until you’ve been given a decision.
You’ll get a response within 3 weeks if you’re outside the UK, and 8 weeks if you’re inside the UK.