Extension of the Global Talent visa expands support for the world’s best engineers to live and work in the UK
An expansion of the Global Talent visa aims to allow over 100 UK companies to sponsor further world talent to work in design and engineering.
UK Research and Innovation has expanded the list of UK organisations able to employ or host an applicant who holds, or provides critical contributions to work supported by an award or grant from an endorsed funder.
Eligible companies fall into the 8 high-growth sectors identified in the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, including advanced manufacturing, digital and technologies, clean energy, life sciences and the creative industries.
Brands such as the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), JLR, Crompton Mouldings, The Design Museum, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), GKN Aerospace, and all UK Higher education institutions, will be able to support scientists and engineers to drive breakthroughs in clean energy, life sciences and AI, while helping businesses to innovate, scale and stay in the UK.
“The UK is already a magnet for the world’s most brilliant minds – and the discoveries they make here change lives and grow our economy. By expanding the Global Talent visa to more than 100 businesses, we’re making it easier than ever for our most innovative companies to recruit eligible researchers who will develop the medicines, technologies and industries of the future right here in the UK, underpinning our industrial strategy, creating skilled jobs and driving growth in the process,” said Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Jonathan Reynolds.
The announcement comes as part of the move to reindustrialise Britain; for the first time, researchers coming to the UK to work on funded projects can be supported in their move to research-intensive businesses and assist in undertaking cutting-edge research in the UK.
Over 12,500 people from more than 130 countries build their research careers in Britain via the endorsed funder pathway, and this expansion of the Global Talent visa route means UK businesses can now host top researchers alongside higher education institutions, academic and independent research institutes, and bodies.
Talent can be recognised at all career stages for those who have already proven themselves, including through fast-track pathways, securing a leading academic appointment, a competitive fellowship, or being named on a funded research grant. Alongside this, a peer-review pathway for established or potential research leaders who do not hold an eligible appointment, fellowship or research grant is also available.
The government is also preparing to broaden the Future Technology Research and Innovation (FTRI) scheme, which enables eligible UK companies, working on critical technologies, to host international researchers, scientists, interns and technical specialists for research, training and work placements of up to two years.
The expansion will open FTRI to a wider range of R&D focused businesses, giving more companies in priority technology sectors like AI, quantum and engineering biology a way to tap into specialist international expertise.
These changes to visa pathways are part of the government’s strategy to attract the world’s best to UK shores.
