Global Talent visa vs Skilled Worker Visa: Key Differences

Last updated: 11 April 2024

The Skilled Worker and Global Talent visas both enable overseas individuals to live and work in the UK, bring family members, extend their stay, and settle after a qualifying period.

The biggest difference between both UK visas is that the Skilled Worker visa is a sponsored visa route and offers settlement after 5 years, while the Global Talent Visa is an unsponsored route and offers the ability to gain ILR after just 3 years.

There are many more important differences between the Skilled Worker visa and Global Talent visa that applicants should be aware of, as we will explore in depth in this article.

Job flexibility

One of the main differences between the Skilled Worker visa and the Global Talent visa is that the Skilled worker visa requires sponsorship from a UK employer with a sponsor licence, whereas the Global Talent route is unsponsored (i.e. sponsorship is not required). While the Global Talent visa does not require sponsorship in order to work in the UK, applicants must instead be endorsed by a recognised body as a leader or potential leader in their field of expertise (unless they have a recognised prestigious award, in which case no endorsement is needed).

Skilled Worker visa holders have to reapply if they change jobs or employers on a Skilled Worker visa. Global talent visa holders enjoy greater job flexibility as they can change employers without gaining permission from the Home Office before doing so. Global Talent visa holders can also choose to be self-employed or become a director of a company, two options not available to Skilled Worker visa holders.

Greater job flexibility is also provided by the Global Talent visa because there are no restrictions on working a second job. Skilled Worker visa work restrictions state that holders can take additional work but only for up to 20 hours per week, and this must be in the same occupation as their main sponsored job (unless they have an additional job that is on the shortage occupation list).

Visa requirements

When it comes to the eligibility requirements for each visa, there are some important differences to be aware of.

Skilled Worker visa applicants must be sponsored by an approved sponsor licence holder, but for Global Talent visa applicants, no sponsorship is required. Global Talent visa applicants must, however, be endorsed as a leader or potential leader in their field by an approved body (e.g. Arts Council England); this is not required for Skilled Worker visa applicants.

Skilled Worker visa applicants must have a salary of at least £38,700 or the ‘going rate’ for their role. Some applicants may qualify for a lower salary requirement (e.g. if in a shortage occupation). There are no minimum salary requirements for the Global Talent visa.

In terms of job restrictions, Skilled Worker visa applicants must have a job on the list of eligible occupations¹. Global Talent visa applicants are also subject to job restrictions as they must be a leader or potential leader in academia or research, arts and culture, and digital technology.

Global Talent visa applicants do not need to meet an English language requirement, but this is necessary for those applying for settlement (ILR). Skilled Worker visa applicants must prove they can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

Skilled Worker visa applicants must also have at least £1,270 available to support themselves in the UK unless exempt – this is not required for Global Talent visa applicants.

In addition to the main visa requirements, both the Skilled Worker visa and the Global Talent visa require applicants to meet the ‘good character requirement’ and not pose a threat to the United Kingdom.

Visa length

Visas granted under the Skilled Worker and Global Talent schemes normally have a duration of up to 5 years. For Skilled Worker visa applicants, this will depend on the length of the contract of employment.

Both the Skilled Worker visa and Global Talent visa can be extended/renewed as many times as required, assuming you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. In the case of the Global Talent visa, those applying for an extension must not have had their endorsement or eligible award withdrawn.

Visa fees

Skilled Worker visa fees

For the Skilled Worker visa, the application fee you pay depends on the length of your stay and where you apply:

If applying from outside the UK and coming for up to 3 years, the fee is £719 per person. If you are coming to the UK for over 3 years, the fee is £1,420 per person.

If applying from inside the UK: and coming for up to 3 years, the application fee is £827 per person, and over 3 years, the fee payable is £1,636 per person.

Global Talent visa fees

The Global Talent application fee is £623, and this is paid in two parts; £456 when you apply for endorsement and £167 when you apply for the visa.

Healthcare surcharge

The immigration health surcharge allows visa holders to receive healthcare from the NHS.

The healthcare surcharge for both the Skilled Worker and Global Talent visa is £1035 per person per year.

Indefinite Leave to Remain

Both Skilled Worker and Global Talent visa holders can apply for ILR (i.e. settlement) after 5 years of continuous residence. The difference with the Global Talent visa is that you can apply for ILR after just 3 years if you were endorsed by either:

• The British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of UK Research and Innovation, or the
• Arts Council England (for UK Artist visa) or Tech Nation (for the Tech Nation visa route) - this must be as a recognised leader (‘exceptional talent’)

References

¹ GOV.UK: Eligible occupations