Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visas
You can apply for a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa if you’ve been endorsed in your field in science, humanities, engineering, medicine, digital technology or the arts as:
- a recognised leader (exceptional talent)
- an emerging leader (exceptional promise)
You must also be from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
Speak to our assessment team now to confirm your eligibility and options for free on 0203 384 4389.
Further Information
Application Process
There’s a 2-stage application process to get this visa.
You first need to apply to the Home Office for endorsement as a leader or an emerging leader in your particular field.
Then, once you have been endorsed, you can apply for the visa.
There are 2,000 places available under this visa category between 6 April to 5 April of the following year.
How long it will take
How long you can stay
- 5 years and 4 months if you apply outside the UK
- 5 years if you apply inside the UK
- 3 years with an exceptional talent visa
- 5 years with an exceptional promise visa
What you can and can't do
- work – for an employer, as a director of a company or be self-employed
- change jobs without telling the Home Office
- do voluntary work
- travel abroad and return to the UK
- bring family members with you
- get public funds
- work as a doctor or dentist in training
- work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
Eligibility
- science
- engineering
- humanities
- medicine
- digital technology
- the arts
- fashion
How to get endorsed
You can apply online. If you’re a digital technology specialist you’ll also need to apply for a Tech Nation Visa Scheme endorsement.How long it takes
You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks. You may get a faster decision if you’re a digital technology specialist and one of the following applies:- you’ve been accepted onto a recognised UK accelerator programme
- you’re part of a senior management team that has experience in building and expanding a digital technology business
- you plan to work and live outside of Greater London
- hold an approved peer-reviewed fellowship
- are a senior academic or senior researcher at a UK university, college or research institute – check with your employer whether your role is eligible
What happens next
If you’re successful you’ll receive an email from the Home Office with a copy of your endorsement letter. You’ll need these for your visa application. You will not automatically get a visa if you’ve been endorsed. If your application is turned down you can request an endorsement review. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of receiving your letter of endorsement from the Home Office.Documents you must provide
- a current passport or other valid travel identification
- a printed copy of your endorsement letter
- your if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
Extend your visa
- the organisation that endorsed you has not withdrawn its approval
- you can provide evidence that you’re currently working in your expert field – the guidance notes have a full list of acceptable evidence
How long you can stay
A Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa can be extended for up to 5 years.How long it takes
- within 8 weeks if you apply online or by post in the UK
- usually on the same day if you use the premium service in the UK
- within 3 weeks if you apply outside the UK
- if your supporting documents need to be verified
- if you need to attend an interview
- because of your personal circumstances – such as you have a criminal conviction
Switch to this visa
- Tier 1
- Tier 2
- Tier 5 (Temporary worker – Government Authorised Exchange) on an exchange scheme for sponsored researchers
Eligibility
You must first apply for endorsement in your particular field:- as a leader (under the exceptional talent rules)
- as an emerging leader (under the exceptional promise rules)
How long it takes
You should get your visa:- within 8 weeks if you apply online or by post
- usually on the same day if you use the premium service
- if your supporting documents need to be verified
- if you need to attend an interview
- because of your personal circumstances – such as you have a criminal conviction
Family Members
- your partner
- your child under 18
- your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as a dependant
Children born while you’re in the UK
If you have children while you’re in the UK, you can apply for permission for them to stay. You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them. When you apply, send a full UK birth certificate for each child showing the names of both parents.Rated excellent by our clients on:





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Immigration rules are complex and subject to regular changes and revisions. This itself presents problems as it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of and have complied with any changes to the routes, processes and evidence requirements.
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There are many online agencies, advisors and marketing companies who claim to be immigration experts but, provide very little expertise.
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We have illustrated our typical scope of service below so you can understand what we do for you as paid of our service:
- Our immigration specialists carry out a free detailed assessment with you to understand your circumstances and needs.
- The collated information is then reviewed by a senior immigration solicitor who will have no less than 8 years’ immigration experience.
- Based on the information collected, the senior solicitor will then confirm what your options are and will also confirm if we are able to help you.
- We will offer you an Agreed Fixed Fee quotation for us to handle your entire case until initial conclusion without obligation.
- If we have officially taken your instructions, we will create a client file for you and collect detailed initial information.
- We will then ensure you receive a personalised one-to-one legal consultation with a senior immigration solicitor who will take your full instructions by exploring your circumstances in detail and advise you on the best way to meet your objectives. The solicitor will explain the relevant legislations and provide you with advice on the steps that we would need to take to get a successful result.
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The assessor will establish why you are calling and what you are looking for assistance with. The assessor will ask you a series of questions to determine your circumstances in relation to your objectives.
The assessment is 100% private and confidential. As we are a private law firm, we work with our clients to overturn Government decisions daily. We do not share any information with any third party.
Although the assessor will be a trained immigration specialist, they are not solicitors and therefore will not give you detailed legal advice or guidance.
If you want to establish what your options are and the best way forward for you, your assessor will collate the necessary information and then speak with one of the resident senior solicitors at the firm to determine what your options are, if and how we could assist and confirm whether we would be prepared to take your case. If we can assist, you will be provided with an Agreed Fixed Fee quotation which is a single legal fee to cover the firms cost of representation agreed from the outset and binding for all parties.
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Please note, UK Immigration Solicitors are a private law firm and are not part of the Government. We do not accept legal aid instructions. Although we are happy to assist genuine callers, we are not a directory service and sadly are unable to provide you with Government telephone numbers.
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