New UK visa scheme announced for international researchers

02/03/2020

The UK government has recently announced changes to Tier 1 visas for researchers. A new fast-track visa scheme to attract the world’s top scientists, researchers and mathematicians opened on 20 February 2020. This follows a commitment by the Prime Minister last summer to put science, research and innovation at the top of the government’s agenda.

The bespoke Global Talent route will have no cap on the number of people able to come to the UK, demonstrating the government’s commitment to supporting top talent.

The Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng), the UK’s other national academies and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) have worked closely with the Home Office and other government departments to develop the Global Talent Visa (GTV), a new immigration route that will succeed the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa for individuals coming to the UK to work in research and innovation.
The GTV retains and expands elements of the existing Tier 1 route while introducing a new pathway for individuals working on a research grant awarded by an ‘endorsed funder’.

Commenting on the new route, Professor Sir Jim McDonald FREng FRSE, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to widen an important route for world-leading researchers to come and work in the UK. International talent makes a vital contribution to British engineering, both in academia and in industry, and plays an important role in making the UK an attractive destination for investment. The need for international expertise and collaboration grows ever more important as we look for solutions to the global challenges we face, from sustainable resources for a world population heading for ten billion people, to implementing the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies.”

The first step of the new arrangements, which came into force on 20 February 2020, will allow awardees of a much larger range of UK and international fellowships to receive fast-track visas through the academies, while UK Research and Innovation will administer a route that awards fast-track visas to principals and named team members of research and innovation grants from a range of endorsed funders.

Professor Sir Mark Walport, UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive, said: “The announcements further underline the importance of research and innovation to the future success of the UK and the government’s continued commitment and investment.

“Working with the government, UK Research and Innovation is ensuring that the UK remains globally leading in these fields. Our ambition is clear: to create a stronger research and innovation environment that is focused on supporting talented people and realising the full potential of their work.

“The new Global Talent Visa, including extensions to the existing fast-track process, will be welcomed across the community and will provide further support to our universities and institutions in their international ambition.”

The changes mean that, for the first time, UK Research and Innovation will endorse applicants from the scientific and research community. This new scheme allows researchers and specialists who are named, or whose role is named, on a grant from an endorsed funder to apply for a fast-track visa.

The changes also expand the number of individual fellowships that are covered by a scheme administered by the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the British Academy. The announcement doubles the number of eligible fellowships under this scheme. Stephen Hawking Fellowships, delivered jointly by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), and the Landscape Decision Fellowships, delivered jointly by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and UK Research and Innovation, will join other fellowships already eligible, including UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowships.

The changes announced are part of the initial phase of wider reforms to enable those with world-class skills in science and research to come to the UK.

Details of the new UK Research and Innovation visa scheme, including the endorsed funders at the scheme’s launch, can be found at:
https://ukri.org/visa and details of the scheme administered by the Royal Academy of Engineering is available at:
https://www.raeng.org.uk/policy/partnerships/international-policy-and-development/global-talent-visa
Further information on applying for a visa to come to the UK is available on the UK government’s website.

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