The United Kingdom is looking to deepen its scientific and academic relationship with India by inviting more high-skilled professionals through its Global Talent visa scheme, British Science Minister Lord Patrick Vallance said on June 20, while speaking at the ‘Unlocking UK-India Collaboration for a New Era of Innovation’ session at the India Global Forum in London, Vallance said India’s growing strength in science and technology offers strong potential for bilateral cooperation.
“There is already a strong relationship between India and the UK, and I think it's growing,” Vallance said. “But government-to-government relationships on science aren't actually what drives everything. It has to be a scientist and a scientist as well.”
The UK government plans to announce a new Industrial Strategy in the coming weeks, which will outline key international partnerships, including India, with a focus on science, innovation, and skilled mobility.
Global talent visa in focus
The UK’s Global Talent visa aims to attract top-tier individuals from around the world who have demonstrated leadership—or the potential for it—in academia, research, arts, culture, or technology. Available to professionals aged 18 and above, it targets both established figures and emerging leaders in these fields.
Applicants typically need to secure an endorsement from a relevant UK body—such as the Royal Society for Science or Arts Council England for culture—unless they’ve already won a qualifying international award. Candidates can apply for the visa through the UK Home Office.
The endorsement stage generally takes 4 to 8 weeks for a decision. After receiving endorsement, applicants must submit a visa application to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The standard visa processing time is around 3 weeks when applying from outside the UK.
Applicants are required to pay an endorsement fee of £524 and a visa application fee of £192. Additionally, the immigration health surcharge is £624 per year. The visa is typically granted for up to 5 years and is extendable, with eligibility for permanent settlement after 3 to 5 years depending on the endorsement type.
To bring flexibility and international expertise into the UK, the visa supports long-term settlement: individuals recognised as established leaders may qualify for indefinite leave after three years, while those with emerging promise have a five-year path to settlement. Family members can also be included in this program.
“There is already a strong relationship between India and the UK, and I think it's growing,” Vallance said. “But government-to-government relationships on science aren't actually what drives everything. It has to be a scientist and a scientist as well.”
The UK government plans to announce a new Industrial Strategy in the coming weeks, which will outline key international partnerships, including India, with a focus on science, innovation, and skilled mobility.
Global talent visa in focus
The UK’s Global Talent visa aims to attract top-tier individuals from around the world who have demonstrated leadership—or the potential for it—in academia, research, arts, culture, or technology. Available to professionals aged 18 and above, it targets both established figures and emerging leaders in these fields.
Applicants typically need to secure an endorsement from a relevant UK body—such as the Royal Society for Science or Arts Council England for culture—unless they’ve already won a qualifying international award. Candidates can apply for the visa through the UK Home Office.
The endorsement stage generally takes 4 to 8 weeks for a decision. After receiving endorsement, applicants must submit a visa application to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The standard visa processing time is around 3 weeks when applying from outside the UK.
Applicants are required to pay an endorsement fee of £524 and a visa application fee of £192. Additionally, the immigration health surcharge is £624 per year. The visa is typically granted for up to 5 years and is extendable, with eligibility for permanent settlement after 3 to 5 years depending on the endorsement type.
To bring flexibility and international expertise into the UK, the visa supports long-term settlement: individuals recognised as established leaders may qualify for indefinite leave after three years, while those with emerging promise have a five-year path to settlement. Family members can also be included in this program.
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