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Neha Sharma
Neha Sharma

Posted on • Edited on

Global Talent Visa: How to Move to the UK Without an Employer

update: Watch the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/xXEP3zmFmP8?si=KsFZUqbWsqCZwH2o

If you want to relocate to the UK, this blog is for you. In this blog, I will share information about the Global Talent Visa (GTV).

I am a GTV holder and did this without the help of any lawyers or agencies. In this blog, I will share my experience with you.
In this blog, we will go through:

  1. Different visa types for job

  2. GTV vs skilled worker visa

  3. Who is eligible for GTV

  4. Process of GTV

  5. Resources

Different visa types for job

There are 2 types of visa when you want to relocate to the UK for job:

  1. Skilled worker visa

  2. Global Talent visa

What is GTV?

Global talent visa, is a visa anyone who is potential leader in the below domains can apply:

  1. arts, and culture

  2. Research, and academic

  3. Digital technology

In GTV, you have promise, and exceptional. We will talk about the difference in the next section.

GTV vs Skilled worker visa

Skilled worker Visa GTV (talent) Global Talent Visa (Promise)
Time to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) 5 years 3 years (including the time you have spent on skilled worker) 5 years (including the time you have spent on skilled worker)
How long can you stay in the UK without a job? 60 days No need to have a job No need to have a job
Changing employers Employer needs to support Skilled worker visa You have the right to work for anyone You have the right to work for anyone
Self employment No Yes yes
Restrictions on Job type You can only work for one employer and with some caveats do 20 hours of something else Do whatever you want, no sports Do whatever you want, no sports

More details here: https://www.gov.uk/global-talent

Who is eligible for GTV

Anyone can apply within UK, outside UK, or even if you are on any existing UK visa. I was on skilled worker visa when I applied for the GTV.

Important: Product based experience is prefer over service based companies.

Process of GTV

At a high level, it is 2 step process. At step 1, you will spent most of your time in collecting , preparing, and waiting.

You need to prepare your proofs to show tech nation that you are worthy or leader in your field. For that you need:

  1. Mandatory skills

  2. Optional skills

  3. Statement of purpose

In total you have to submit 10 documents. You don't need to add all 10 but 3 in mandatory, and 3-4 in optional are a good count.

also, would advice to read the tech nation website in detail, and this forum to know about the guidelines. You should follow the guidelines otherwise your application will get reject. Example:

The Letter of recommendations, or proofs should not exceed more than 6 pages. No external links should be in the document. Eg: if you have YT video, or conference pictures then take the screenshot and add in the document itself.

Image description

Difference between Talent vs Promise?

If you have more than five years of experience in the digital technology field, you can apply for the talent category. The perception is that the bar for talent may be higher but it is hard to prove. The endorsement committee (Tech Nation) routinely hands out visas in the promise category when someone applies for talent and vice versa. No reason to sweat this.

Endorsements

You need to show the proofs of your work contribution of last 5 years. These contributions should focus on the inside and outside your company. Eg: Best employee award might not be a right proof as you need to add details - why you got it, what impact you created for the company's business. You need to show the numbers, add impact etc.

So, more the global and larger impact is better.

Think of it as using your past five years of experience at work and outside of it and extracting 10 documents out of it.

  1. I used my meetup, and conference activities for 6+ pieces of evidence.

  2. I used a salary comparison for another piece of evidence (glassdoor to compare the salary)

  3. I used the impact of my work as written about on the internet as other pieces of evidence. For Tesco, and Oracle. Most of my work was covered in the news, and YT channel of Oracle.

  4. I used community organizing as another piece of evidence.

  5. I used references from people who I have worked with talking about my work and its impact as other pieces of evidence.

  6. Opensource work also get consider.

Format could be on letterhead or just a word doc. I used docsign to
send the letters to my seniors. I have downloaded these docs and then uploaded on the portal. Please do not send docsign link to tech nation.

I had no doc on letterhead but it is important to have the following details: Full name, email, mobile number, designation, company, LinkedIn profile.

Resources, and cost

Check about the fees here: https://www.gov.uk/global-talent

Spend some time here: https://discourse.tnvisaforum.org/

To book my time: here

I am thankful to Neha (yes, another Neha) who helped me to apply for the GTV.

All the best!!

Top comments (14)

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vidyabhat profile image
Vidya Bhat

Congratulations & Thank you Neha!
You have shared excellent piece of information in detail. Best Wishes.

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yasir_rafique_27550feb631 profile image
Muhammad Yasir Rafique

Hello Neha,
I just read your blog on GTV and I am impressed that how nicely you explained everything. Are you open to a chat for more details on GTV as you got endorsement (Congratulations by the way🎉).
Following is my LinkedIn profile
linkedin.com/in/yasir-rafique
Looking forward. Thank you!

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hellonehha profile image
Neha Sharma

Hey Yasir, thank you. May I get more details on the agenda of the meeting?
thanks

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yasir_rafique_27550feb631 profile image
Muhammad Yasir Rafique

Yeah sure. Currently, I am in the process of GTV so need more details and advice regarding this. Thank you!

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hellonehha profile image
Neha Sharma

sure. You can book my time here: topmate.io/hellonehha/

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hellonehha profile image
Neha Sharma

Hey Zohair, thank you. May I get more details on the agenda of the meeting?
thanks

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chintanpuggalok profile image
chintanpuggalok

Damn I wish every gov process had a doc like this🙏

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bappi_mitra_6a490e335a8c7 profile image
Bappi Mitra

Thank you very much for the information Neha.
I would like to discuss with you in detail, can we set up a meeting virtually? I'm from Canada.
Regards,
Mitra

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hellonehha profile image
Neha Sharma

sure Bappi. You can book my time here: topmate.io/hellonehha/

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gayathri_krishnamoorthy_b profile image
Gayathri Krishnamoorthy

I would like apply for GTV. Will you able to guide me?

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hellonehha profile image
Neha Sharma

sure. You can book my time here: topmate.io/hellonehha/

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Best scenes

I'm new here

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Global Trade (Reshma Mohite)

Is there any opportunity for Yog Teacher