Obtaining Settlement after Global Talent Visa: Successful Case and Important Tips
In this article, using one of our cases as an example, we will discuss what is needed to obtain Settlement after receiving a Global Talent visa.
Stages of Obtaining a Global Talent Visa
Stage 1: Endorsement from a Competent Body When applying for a Global Talent visa, the applicant needs to go through two stages. The first stage is obtaining an endorsement from the endorsing body in the applicant’s field. For example, if the applicant seeks endorsement for their work in the tech field, the application will be submitted to Tech Nation.
Stage 2: Visa Application After receiving the endorsement at the first stage, the visa application will be submitted. It is at this stage that the applicant chooses the number of years they wish to obtain the visa for and pays the IHS. If all stages are successfully completed, the applicant receives the visa and can move to the UK (or continue to stay in the UK).
Preparation for Settlement
After receiving the initial visa via the Global Talent route, applicants who seriously consider obtaining Settlement should carefully approach their further stay and activities in the UK. This is necessary to be confident in advance that all requirements for Settlement will be met.
Practical Example
Recently, a client who holds a Global Talent visa in the field of musical arts approached us. He is an active performer and has been working as a musician in the field for which he received endorsement since moving to England on the Global Talent visa. He reached the qualifying period and planned to apply for Settlement. However, due to an active music career, he needed to make an urgent trip and had very little time to submit his application and obtain Settlement. We were instructed to assist in preparing the application and all documents for our client in a short time frame.
Main Requirements for Obtaining Settlement
- Time Residing in the Country
For obtaining Settlement, it is very important to reside in the country for the necessary period. For the Global Talent route, there are two periods – 5 years for the Promise category and 3 years for the Talent category. This depends on which category you received endorsement under.
- Absence Requirements
According to the guidance on Continuous Residence, during the qualifying period (3 or 5 years for Global Talent), the applicant must not exceed 180 days of absence in any 12-month period. Previously, we provided an example of the correct calculation of absence days in this article.
- Life in the UK and English Language Tests
It is necessary to pass the Life in the UK test and the English language test.
- Employment in the Field
One of the distinctive requirements for Settlement under Global Talent is that the applicant must demonstrate that they are working in the same field for which they received endorsement and are earning money. There are no specific income requirements or a list of specific actions. The applicant simply needs to demonstrate active work in the field.
Planning the Settlement Application
Our client consulted us in advance and planned his activities to meet all requirements and not violate absence requirements. Thanks to this, we were able to prepare the application and documents for our client in a short time and submitted the application for expedited consideration. The result was not long in coming, and a few days after submitting the application, our client received Settlement.
Recommendations for Applicants
Proactive planning of your immigration route will undoubtedly bring you pleasant results in the future and simplify all further immigration processes, as the best way to solve a problem is to avoid it. Considering all the requirements, we recommend approaching the process with great care immediately after receiving the Global Talent visa. The applicant should:
- Plan the timing (you need to understand when you qualify for Settlement and when you plan to submit the application).
- Monitor absences in the country (the applicant must not exceed 180 days of absence in any 12-month period).
- Prepare the Life in the UK and English tests in advance so that by the time you qualify for Settlement, you can provide all the necessary documents without delay.
- Carefully plan professional activities and gather evidence for the future application in advance.
Additional Tips
It is also worth noting that the process can become more complicated if you plan to apply with family members. Additional documents and evidence may be required.
Conclusion
Our team is always happy to provide support with legal advice, consultation, and planning of your immigration route. In our portfolio, we have complex cases where we have assisted clients from the moment of obtaining the first entry permit to obtaining UK citizenship.
