Academies now operate streamlined Research and Innovation Talent Visa

As of today, the British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society welcome applications for the Research and Innovation Talent Visa through the Tier 1 route and introduce a number of changes to the way that it operates. The number of visas available through the route annually has doubled from 1,000 to 2,000.

The Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa route is designed to bring the brightest and best talent to the UK from outside the European Economic Area in the fields of natural science, humanities and social science, engineering and the arts.

The Research and Innovation Talent Visa comprises two streams, for applicants who are leaders in their field and who have the potential to be future leaders.

Under the new process, applicants for ‘Exceptional Talent’ who have received a senior job offer at a UK Higher Education Institution or eligible research institute will apply through a simplified process and be guaranteed an endorsement of their application, providing they meet all criteria and submit relevant evidence.

We are also expanding the list of peer-reviewed research fellowships that are eligible for the accelerated process for ‘Exceptional Promise’, including fellowships awarded by the Research Councils UK, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and the Wellcome Trust, as well as the Academies.

To make the Research and Innovation Talent Visa route easier to navigate, we have published new guidance, FAQs and case studies on the Royal Society’s website. These complement the information about the route that is available on the Home Office website: www.gov.uk/tier-1-exceptional-talent.