Extensions and indefinite leave to remain
How to extend your stay or apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK as a Global Talent visa holder.
There is no limit on the total period of permission that may be granted under the Global Talent visa route, and you can continue to extend if you wish or do not meet the requirements for settlement. Please check with HR colleagues for any questions related to your contract or their reimbursement policy.
Global Talent visa holders can then apply for settlement after 3 years in the UK. Dependants cannot benefit from this quicker route to settlement and will need to have lived in the UK for 5 years.
Applying for an extension of your Global Talent visa
To apply for an extension of your current Global Talent visa, you will need to submit an online application before your current visa expires.
If a valid extension application is submitted, you can continue living and working in the UK under the same conditions until the UKVI decide on your application.
You cannot travel outside the UK whilst your application is outstanding.
The requirements for an extension
- You still have your endorsement - you would have been advised if the endorsement had been withdrawn – we have never seen this happen.
- You must have earned money in your field of expertise
There are no mandatory documents.
Guidance: Send evidence for your Global Talent extension or Settlement application
If the work you do at the University of Edinburgh is within your field of expertise, you can request a letter from HR colleagues confirming your employment and download 3-6 months of payslips for the People and Money system.
Global Talent dependants – extension applications
Dependants can extend their visas at the same time as the main Global Talent visa holder, or they can apply at the same time or after the main visa holder is applying for indefinite leave to remain.
If the main visa holder is applying for, or has, indefinite leave to remain then a dependant applying for an extension will be granted permission for 3 years.
Requirements: extension applications for depandants
The main Global Talent visa holder must:
- Have permission on the Global Talent visa route
- At the same time be applying for (and granted) permission on the Global Talent visa route
- Be settled or has become a British citizen, has permission on the Global Talent visa route and the applicant has permission as their partner or child at that time.
- Relationship requirements must be met.
Applying for indefinite leave to remain as a Global Talent visa holder
Requirements: indefinite leave to remain
The requirements for a Global Talent visa holder are relatively straightforward:
- You have spent a continuous period of 3 years in the UK on an eligible visa route – this can be combined with time spent under the Tier 2/Skilled Worker visa route
- You have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in a 12-month period – absences linked to your field of expertise will not be counted
- You still have your endorsement - you would have been advised if the endorsement had been withdrawn. It is very unlikely
- You must sit and pass the Life in the UK Test - Book the Life in the UK Test
- You must meet the English language requirement - Prove your knowledge of English for citizenship and settling
- You must have earned money in your field of expertise