[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” content_placement=”middle” css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1544181326484{background-image: url(https://immigrationexperts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Banner.jpg?id=1633) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}” el_class=”video_overlay”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1544180342932{padding-top: 100px !important;padding-bottom: 100px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1)” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:center|color:{550504ab9c0cb0f84db7c39152d65be21b6403ad977c49457b63283386586382}23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1544419777126{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1452837797829{margin-bottom: 51px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Section 1: Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1)
While a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa might not be as popular as other UK visa categories, it is still an excellent way for someone with exceptional talent to gain entry into the UK. This visa is mostly focused on boosting the start-up culture in the nation and allowing newer companies to recruit top talent from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Each year, only 2,000 of this type of visa are made available. And, while demand for this had been low, it has seen a steady increase in applicants in the past couple of years. The visa is available under two categories: Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa and Tier 1 Exceptional Promise Visa.
This via is a good choice for leaders and emerging leaders from different fields, such as Humanities, Science, Engineering, Fashion, Arts, Digital Technology and Medicine, looking for better career opportunities in the UK.
Application for the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa is a two-step process, in which you first need to get an endorsement from the UK Home Office as a leader or emerging leader before applying for the visa.
Section 2: General Queries About Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1)
1. What are the Eligibility Criteria for an Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1)?
To be eligible for the UK Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa, all you need is an Endorsement from a UK Home Office. These agencies are recognised as Designated Competent Bodies by the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) department. You need to find one based on your field of interest, such as:
- The British Academy: Social Science and Humanities applications
- Arts Council England: Culture, Arts, Film, TV, and Fashion applications
- The Royal Academy of Engineering: Engineering applications
- The Royal Society: Medical Science Research and Natural Sciences application
- Tech Nation: Digital Technology applications
You can apply for the Endorsement letter online. The Home Offices generally give their decision within 8 weeks. Once you receive the Endorsement letter, you can then in the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa application form.
2. What Documents Will I Need for Applying for an Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1)?
Tier 1 Exception Talent visa document requirements are very basic and include:
- A valid passport or any other valid travel documents
- Copy of your Endorsement letter
- Tuberculosis test results, if you are from a country where TB test is mandatory for a UK visa
If any of your documents are not in English or Welsh, you will be required to submit translated copies of the same.
3. How Can I Apply for an Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1)?
You can apply for a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa for the UK online or offline. Even if you submit the application online, you will need to visit a UK visa application centre for your biometric data, such as photograph and fingerprints.
You can also apply offline for the visa at a UK visa application centre in your country. However, not all of the UK visa application centres accept Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa applications. You can check with your nearest visa application centre to know more.
If you are from North Korea, you cannot apply for the visa online. You will have to visit the British Embassy in Pyongyang to apply.
The simplest way to apply is to hire the services of an experienced and reliable firm, such as Rapid Visas, which boasts a 97{550504ab9c0cb0f84db7c39152d65be21b6403ad977c49457b63283386586382} success rate for visa applications. They will also support you through the entire process, providing appropriate Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa guidance.
4. How Can I Extend the Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1)?
Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa extension can only be an option if the organization that endorsed your application has not withdrawn the approval and you can provide evidence that you are already working in the field of your interest.
Also, you need to apply for an extension before your current visa expires. If your extension is approved, you might get to stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years more. You can apply for the extension online or offline, while you are still living in the UK.
You can seek the help of Rapid Visas for visa extensions as well to make the process a smooth and hassle-free one.
5. Can My Family Members Accompany Me When I’m Approved for the Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1)?
Yes, your family members can accompany you if your application for Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa is approved. Your family members or dependants can be your spouse and children under the age of 18. However, they will need to apply for their own visas, with you as the main applicant, if they are applying from a country outside the EEA or Switzerland.
If you or your family members are from North Korea, they will need to visit the British Embassy in Pyongyang for visa application.
6. Can I Switch to Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1)? What are the Criteria?
Yes, you might be allowed to switch to Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1) if you are in the UK with any of Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 5 (Temporary worker under sponsored researchers exchange scheme) visas. By switching visas, you can stay in the UK for up to 5 years.
If you have entered the UK under another visa category, you will need to leave the UK and apply for Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa UK from your home country. Also, to switch to the Exceptional Talent Visa, you will first need to get endorsed in your selected field as a leader or an emerging leader.
You can consult Rapid Visas in London for Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa guidance and support.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Additional FAQs” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_tta_accordion][vc_tta_section title=”1. How Long Will it Take to Get the Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1)? ” tab_id=”1″][vc_column_text]Once you have your Endorsement letter from a UK Home Office and have the required Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa documents, you can apply for the visa three months prior to your expected date of travel. After submitting your application, it can take about 3 weeks for the UKVI to send you their decision. However, it might take longer for applicants from some countries.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”2. What are the Fees for the Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1)?” tab_id=”2″][vc_column_text]Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa fee is divided into 2 parts: Endorsement and visa application. For the Endorsement letter, the fee is £456 per applicant. Once you receive the letter and apply for the visa, the visa fee will vary based on your circumstances and location of the application.
You (the main applicant) needs to pay £152 for a visa application from most countries, except if you are from Macedonia or Turkey, where the fee is £97 per application. If any of your dependents are applying for a visa, they will need to pay £608 each for visa application.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”3. How Long Can I Stay in the UK with the Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1)?” tab_id=”3″][vc_column_text]If you are applying from any place outside the EEA or Switzerland and your application for a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa is approved, you can stay in the UK for up to 5 years and 4 months. However, if you are applying from the UK, like in case of switching from another visa category, you can stay for up to 5 years.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”4. Can I Work or Study in the UK with the Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1)?” tab_id=”4″][vc_column_text]Yes, you can work or study in the UK on an Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1), working for any employer, as a director of a company, or as self-employed. However, you cannot work as a dentist or doctor in training. Also, you cannot work as a sports coach or professional sportsperson.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”5. Does the Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1) Make it Easier for Me to Apply for British Citizenship?” tab_id=”5″][vc_column_text]As compared to many other UK visa categories, applying for British Citizenship is faster with the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa. It lets you apply for settlement if you have lived in the UK for at least 3 years on this visa, or after 5 years if you’ve been in the UK on an Exceptional Promise Visa.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”6. How Well Do I Need to Know English to Apply for an Exceptional Talent Visa (Tier 1)?” tab_id=”6″][vc_column_text]One of the best things about this visa is there is no Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa English requirements, unlike many other UK visas. Since the visa category is meant to attract top talent from all over the world, the requirement for English knowledge has been relaxed here. You are not required to appear for any English language test or prove your knowledge for this visa.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row]