Sadly, UK Representative of Overseas Business visa is now replaced with Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker visa. It is no longer possible to secure long-term residence rights under this UK visa category. This blog post is left unaltered for historic purposes only.

I receive a lot of enquiries in relation to the Global Talent visa. These are usually prominent business leaders in their own area of expertise. Their achievement is one of a kind. However, they would not normally qualify for the Global Talent visa.

What is a Global Talent visa?

Global Talent visa centres on exceptional awards and achievement. The applicant has to prove that you are a leader or a potential leader in the area of their choice. 

Provided a specialist endorsing body is there to endorse the applicant or the applicant was awarded one of prestigious prizes and awards.

You need an Endorsement

The proof of this kind is an endorsement by an approved endorsing body. There are three different areas you can apply for:

• Academia or research;
• Arts and culture; 
• Digital technology.

Specialist guidance is available for each of the categories and specialist endorsing bodies are allocated for each of the categories.

Or you were awarded an exceptional Prize or an Award

You need to be awarded a Nobel prize, BAFTA, Academy award, a Brit Award, Golden Globes Award, Tony Awards, Fields Medal, Fyssen International Prize, Turing Award. The full list of eligible prizes and awards goes on. Full list is available here.

The rule is that if you were awarded one of the prizes and awards on the list, then you no longer need to apply separately for the endorsement from an eligible body.

Considering Global Talent, Investor and Representative of Overseas Business visas

Especially, if you are a business leader, you will notice that the Global Talent visa option is primarily intended for academics, famous actors and film directors and not so much for the practicalities of being a prominent business personality, unless you are a leader in digital technology.

Another issue is an endorsement. You may not have the endorsing body available, which is specific to the area of expertise.

As a business leader you are also an independent type, a high achiever who is not necessarily dependent on third party assessment. You like your own achievement to speak for itself, instead of going for a specific endorsement or an award.

Therefore, the Global Talent visa is normally an irrelevant UK immigration category for accomplished entrepreneurs and business owners.

If this applies to you, you are left with two choices: Tier 1 Investor visa or Representative of Overseas Business visa. Currently, Tier 1 Investor visa is abolished, while Representative of Overseas Business visa is now replaced with Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker visa. This visa does not allow you to settle long-term. Therefore, you will need to consider whether Tier 1 Innovator visa is more appropriate for your personal circumstances.

Most probably as an accomplished entrepreneur, like most of my clients, you own several different businesses in different countries around the globe. Therefore, one of the challenges for you will be choosing the type of business you wish to continue in the UK.

Not sure where to start or how to find the right UK immigration adviser for you to apply for the right visa for your and your family, schedule a call with me!

Book a call with me to discuss your Global Wealth Strategy as you invest operate or relocate to the UK or Switzerland. You may submit your enquiry here.

Book a call with me to discuss your UK immigration application. Submit your UK immigration enquiry here if you need assistance with any UK immigration application.

You will be first guided to a payment page when you choose “book a call” option. After making the payment, you will be able to choose the most convenient date and time for our Zoom meeting. You can report a payment issue here.

Saule Voluckyte, M.A.E.S, LL.B, FAIA

I have been working exclusively with UHNWI in Mayfair, London since January 2008. I built specialist knowledge and expertise required to serve ultra high net worth individuals investing, operating and relocating to the UK or Switzerland.

Within the industry, I am the single adviser who is able to traverse the different areas of expertise and bring a comprehensive approach across: global structuring, UK immigration, international taxation and FOREX to develop their global wealth strategy, while they build, grow and expand their wealth worldwide.

Previous experience as one of the senior advisors for the government, made me a go-to person when delicate and uncomfortable scenarios involving heads of state need to be handled with care and preserve privacy.