Exceptional Talent

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Some UK visas can take months to be processed by UK Immigration. Or you may have to attend in person at the public enquiry office.

We are OISC registered and, if you are already in the UK, we can submit your visa application and get it processed on the same day! Please note that we only have a limited number of slots each week, so it is advisable to apply as early as possible. Call our London Office on 0344 991 9222 for further details.

Updated January 2013

Overview

The Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa allows you entry to the UK if you are internationally recognised as a world leader in the arts and sciences or possess potential world-leading talent in the arts or sciences. It is extremely difficult to qualify for such a visa. There is an annual cap of 1,000 on the number of Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visas that can be issued. In order to qualify, Exceptionally Talented individuals must be sponsored by a "Designated Competent Body", which will be a UK national society for the arts or sciences. It will be tough but, if you are recognised internationally for your work and can speak English well, the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa may be the right visa for you.

The Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa replaced the Tier 1 (General) Highly Skilled Migrant Visa on 6 April 2011. It is much harder to come under the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa. If you are a highly skilled individual who would probably have qualified under the old Tier 1 (General) visa but do not qualify under the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa scheme, your best option is most likely to apply for a Tier 2 visa for Skilled Workers. You can only do this with a job offer.

Watch a quick workpermit.com video on the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa

Points Requirement for initial applications

As part of the UK's points based system a score of 75 must be attained under the Tier 1 (Exceptional) Talent Visa scheme. Unlike other schemes, the 75 points are scored under only one requirement: You need official endorsement by a Designated Competent Body.

Requirement	Points scored
Endorsed by a Designated Competent Body	75

Points Requirement for Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa Extensions

If you already hold an Exceptional Talent Visa and wish to extend your stay in the UK, you must also score 75 points but under different criteria:

Requirement	Points scored
You are economically active in the same field for which you were originally endorsed by the Designated Competent Body. This can either be in employment, self-employment, or both. The Designated Competent Body must not have revoked its endorsement.	75

To prove that you have been economically active, you must supply certain documentation. This includes:

payslips if you are a salaried employee; or
if self-employed, you must show a letter from your accountant to show that your company is actively trading in the UK

English Language Requirements for Extension Applicants

Unlike initial applicants, Exceptional Talent extension applicants must score 10 points for English Language ability:

Requirement	Points scored
you are a national of a majority English speaking country you have passed a recognised English Language test to at least CEFR level B1 you hold a degree that was taught in English and is equivalent to at least a UK bachelor's degree	10

Endorsement by a Designated Competent Body

To be eligible for a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa, you must be internationally recognised in your field and considered a world leading talent. To prove your standing in your field, you must be endorsed by a Designated Competent Body. You must apply for endorsement from the relevant body prior to making your application.

List of Designated Competent Bodies with endorsement quotas

Designated Competent Body	From 1 October 2012 to 5 April 2013
Royal Society	150
Arts Council England	150
British Academy	100
Royal Academy of Engineering	100

The Royal Society and Arts Council England can endorse 300 people per year. The British Academy and The Royal Academy of Engineering can endorse 20 people a year.

Assistance

workpermit.com can help you with the difficult process of applying for immigration to the United Kingdom. If we believe that you can be successful in applying for a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa, we will provide a no-win, no-fee guarantee! Just fill out our free assessment form and one of our professional advisers will get in touch with you.