Features
How to apply for the Global Talent Visa Stage 2
So you’ve got your Tech Nation endorsement? Congratulations! Now it’s time to apply for your visa.
In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know about the Global Talent Visa application after you got your endorsement from Tech Nation. we’ll share about the documents, fees and processing times for applying inside and outside the UK. You can apply for the Global Talent Visa from anywhere in the world.
Step 1: Apply Within 3 Months after Endorsement
To begin with, the Global Talent visa brings the brightest and best talents globally to live and work in the UK digital technology sector and you can apply for the Global Talent Visa from anywhere in the world. If you missed Stage 1 of the Global Talent Visa process, check out the my video on how I got endorsed on this channel.
So the first step in this entire process is to apply for endorsement with Tech Nation. Once your endorsement has been granted, you can proceed with the visa application. The visa application must be submitted within three months from the date your endorsement decision was made. If you fail to apply for your visa after three months of getting endorsed, the endorsement will expire and a new Stage 1 endorsement application would need to be submitted. In summary, you have only 3 months (90 days) after the endorsement to submit the visa application or it will expire. Now, let’s talk about the required documents for your visa application after endorsement.
If you missed Stage 1 of the Global Talent Visa process, check out this piece on how to get endorsed in less than two weeks below.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
Here are the documents you’ll need for your visa application in Stage 2:
- Your endorsement letter
- A valid international passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality
- A photo
- Your Tuberculosis test result, if you’re from a country where you have to take the test. Your test must be from a clinic approved by the Home Office. In Nigeria, you can use IOM or others. To make this easy, I have added the link to approved centres in this video description for you.
Booking an appointment
You’ll have to book an appointment to submit your papers, biometric details and photo at one of the visa application centres:
In most cases, you’d have to use TLS, if you’re outside Europe or VFS Global, if you’re within Europe
If you want to get the decision faster, you can apply for Priority and Super Priority services (additional fee applies). You could can get a decision within 5 working days (Priority) or by the end of the next working day (Super Priority).
The availability of Priority and Super Priority services will be displayed when you book your appointment at the visa application centre. You can check if the service is available at your country’s TLS or VFS Global visa centres.
Step 3: Know the Application cost
After endorsement, the Stage 2 visa costs £167 only. Additionally, you have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), also known as the NHS surcharge. This is mandatory for all non-UK nationals who are issued a visa of more than 6 months in length (and applies to all applications submitted in the UK, regardless of length). Payment of the IHS will ensure that you have full access to the UK National Health Service (NHS) on the same terms as a permanent UK resident.
The IHS will cost an additional £624 per person per year that your visa is valid (children under 18 will be liable for a £470 per year charge). For example, if you apply for a three-year visa, you will be charged an additional £1,872. This full cost must be paid at the point of application.
Step 4: Book an appointment
You’ll have to book an appointment to submit your documents, biometric details and photo at one of the UK visa application centres in your country. In most cases, you’d have to use TLS, if you’re outside Europe or VFS Global, if you’re within Europe.
If you want to get the decision faster, you can apply for Priority and Super Priority services (additional fee applies). With this, you could can get a decision within 5 working days (Priority) or by the end of the next working day (Super Priority).
Step 5: Visa Approval Timelines
Once you’ve applied, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks if you’re outside the UK and 8 weeks if you’re inside the UK.
After your immigration case is approved, you will receive your vignette sticker at the visa centre or have it delivered to you if you chose this option during the 2nd stage application.
Please note that once your receive your visa, you have to enter the UK within 3 months (90 days).
However, If you were already in the UK and applied to extend or switch into Global Talent, Your BRP will be delivered to the address you used in your visa application. To prove your right to work, you will be asked by your department to provide a ‘share code’ in the first instance, which you can generate via this UK government weblink: https://www.gov.uk/proveright-to-work.
Congratulations! You’ve received your Global Talent Visa! Please note that your paperwork doesn’t stop here. You need to take care of a few more things — move to the UK, BRP, etc.
Applying for the Global Talent Visa? Get it fast and easy with the exclusive help of an expert who has helped several successful applicants. Follow this link to book a session https://selar.co/1d6v