Routes 8
Global Talent or Skilled Worker: how they differ
Global Talent needs an endorsement, or an eligible prestigious prize, and no job offer; Skilled Worker needs a job with a licensed sponsor.
The Graduate visa cannot be extended, but you may be able to switch to a different visa.
Authority GOV.UK guidance, Graduate visa: Overview (gov.uk).
The passage relied on
You cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa.
The two routes, row by row
| Question | Skilled Worker | Global Talent |
|---|---|---|
| What you need first | A job with a sponsor listed as A-rated Authority Appendix Skilled Worker, SW 5.3 (gov.uk). The passage relied onSW 5.3. The sponsor must be listed as A-rated on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors, unless the applicant was last granted permission as a Skilled Worker and is applying to continue working for the same sponsor as in their last permission. | An endorsement, unless you have won an eligible prestigious prize Authority GOV.UK guidance, Apply for the Global Talent visa: Overview (gov.uk). The passage relied onIf you’ve not won an eligible prestigious prize, you’ll need to get an endorsement first to prove that you’re a leader or potential leader in your field. |
| Job offer | Yes, in a job listed as higher skilled, with exceptions Authority Appendix Skilled Worker, SW 6.1 as substituted by HC 997 (APP SW7) (gov.uk). The passage relied onIf your occupation code is listed as a ‘higher skilled’ job, you can apply for this visa. | Not needed Authority GOV.UK guidance, Visa processing times: applications inside the UK (gov.uk). The passage relied onWork visas you can apply for without a job offer Category Processing time Global Talent |
| Salary rules | £41,700, or £33,400 for new entrants, or the going rate if higher Authority Appendix Skilled Worker, SW 4.4 option A, as amended by HC 997 (gov.uk). The passage relied onYou’ll usually need to be paid the ‘standard’ salary rate of at least £41,700 per year, or the ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher. | See GOV.UK |
| English when switching | Level B2 Authority Appendix Skilled Worker, SW 4.1 (HC 1333 APP SW3) (gov.uk). The passage relied onIf you’re applying to switch from a different visa, you need level B2. | See GOV.UK |
| Length | Up to 5 years before you need to extend Authority GOV.UK guidance, Skilled Worker visa: Overview (gov.uk). The passage relied onYour visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it. You’ll need to apply to extend or update your visa when it expires or if you change jobs or employer. | Up to 5 years at a time Authority GOV.UK guidance, Apply for the Global Talent visa: Overview (gov.uk). The passage relied onYou can live and work in the UK for up to 5 years at a time. |
| Switch from a Graduate visa | You may be able to Authority GOV.UK guidance, Graduate visa: Overview (gov.uk). The passage relied onYou cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa. | You may be able to, if you meet the route’s requirements Authority Appendix Global Talent, GT 1.5ZA and GT 1.5A (gov.uk). The passage relied onYou might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Global Talent visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa. |
| Settlement | You may be able to apply after 5 years Authority GOV.UK guidance, Skilled Worker visa: Overview (gov.uk). The passage relied onAfter 5 years, you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’). | You may be able to, after a period that depends on your field and how you apply Authority GOV.UK guidance, Apply for the Global Talent visa: Overview (gov.uk). The passage relied onYou may be able to get indefinite leave to remain so you can settle in the UK after 3 or 5 years, depending on which field you work in and how you apply. |
Global Talent starts with an endorsement
You can apply for a Global Talent visa if you are a leader or potential leader in one of these fields: academia or research, arts and culture or digital technology. Other requirements also apply.
Unless you have won an eligible prestigious prize, you need an endorsement first, to show that you are a leader or potential leader in your field. The endorsing bodies and their criteria are on the Global Talent visa pages (gov.uk).
If you’ve not won an eligible prestigious prize, you’ll need to get an endorsement first to prove that you’re a leader or potential leader in your field.
Global Talent needs no job offer
GOV.UK lists Global Talent among the work visas that need no job offer. A Skilled Worker visa needs a job with a sponsor listed as A-rated.
A Global Talent visa lets you live and work in the UK for up to 5 years at a time, with no limit on your total stay; you extend the visa when it expires.
You may be able to get indefinite leave to remain so you can settle in the UK after 3 or 5 years, depending on which field you work in and how you apply.
Switching from a Graduate or Skilled Worker visa
On a Graduate or Skilled Worker visa in the UK, you may be able to switch to Global Talent without leaving, if you meet the route’s requirements.
Salary rules are in Rules, the Graduate visa switch in after your course ends, and settlement in time towards settlement.
History
- . Entry updated.
- . Entry first published.
Common questions
Can I switch from a Graduate visa to Global Talent?
You may be able to, from inside the UK, if you meet the Global Talent requirements. That means an endorsement first, unless you have won an eligible prestigious prize.
Does Global Talent need a job offer?
No. GOV.UK lists Global Talent among the work visas you can apply for without a job offer. A Skilled Worker visa needs a job with a sponsor listed as A-rated.
How long until settlement on each route?
On Skilled Worker, you may be able to apply to settle after 5 years. On Global Talent, the period depends on your field and how you apply; GOV.UK's words are quoted on this page.
Sources
- Global talent: Overview (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
You can apply for a Global Talent visa to work in the UK if you’re a leader or potential leader in one of the following fields:
You must also be at least 18 years old.
If you’ve not won an eligible prestigious prize, you’ll need to get an endorsement first to prove that you’re a leader or potential leader in your field.
You can live and work in the UK for up to 5 years at a time.
There’s no limit to how long you can stay in the UK in total, but you will need to renew (‘extend’) your visa when it expires. Each extension can last from 1 to 5 years
You may be able to get indefinite leave to remain so you can settle in the UK after 3 or 5 years, depending on which field you work in and how you apply.
- Immigration Rules: Appendix Global Talent (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
Alternatively, a person who has been awarded a prestigious prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes is considered as showing exceptional talent and is therefore not required to apply for an endorsement.
Global Talent is a route to settlement.
GT 1.5ZA. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must not have, or have last been granted, permission:
- Guidance: Visa processing times applications inside the uk (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
Work visas you can apply for without a job offer Category Processing time Global Talent
- Global talent: Switch to this visa (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Global Talent visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa.
- Immigration Rules: Appendix Skilled Worker (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
SW 5.3. The sponsor must be listed as A-rated on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors, unless the applicant was last granted permission as a Skilled Worker and is applying to continue working for the same sponsor as in their last permission.
- Skilled Worker visa: Your job (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
If your occupation code is listed as a ‘higher skilled’ job, you can apply for this visa.
You’ll usually need to be paid the ‘standard’ salary rate of at least £41,700 per year, or the ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher.
- Immigration Rules: Appendix Skilled Occupations (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
These SOC 2020 occupation codes are considered to be skilled to Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6 or above, and are eligible for the Skilled Worker route.
- Statement of Changes HC 997 (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
APP SW2. In row A of the table following SW 4.4, for “£38,700”, substitute “£41,700”.
APP SW4. In rows C, D and E of the table following SW 4.4, for each instance of “£30,960”, substitute “£33,400”.
- Skilled Worker visa: When you can be paid less (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
You can be paid 70% of your job’s standard going rate if your salary will be at least £33,400 per year and one of the following applies:
you’re currently in the UK on a Graduate visa (or you have been in the last 2 years, and a Graduate or visit visa was your most recent visa)
- Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
If you’re applying to switch from a different visa, you need level B2.
- Skilled Worker visa: Overview (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
After 5 years, you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’).
Your visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it. You’ll need to apply to extend or update your visa when it expires or if you change jobs or employer.
- Graduate visa: Overview (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
You cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa.
How each figure is checked: Sources and method.
This is general information about the rules, not legal advice. For advice on your own situation, use a solicitor or an adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (gov.uk).