Key facts
- Over 100 companies, including AstraZeneca and Jaguar Land Rover, can now endorse skilled migrants for UK visas.
- The global talent visa route has been expanded to allow these companies to recommend applicants.
- The initiative aims to bolster the UK's research and development (R&D) capabilities.
- This move is part of the government's industrial strategy to focus on high-growth industries like AI.
- Previously, only specific bodies and award recipients could endorse visa applications.
A select group of over 100 private companies in the UK, including major names like AstraZeneca, Jaguar Land Rover, GSK, and Arm, will now have the authority to endorse highly-talented individuals for skilled talent visas. This significant expansion of the global talent visa route allows these firms to recommend migrants who can contribute to the nation's research and development (R&D) capabilities.
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds stated that this initiative will bolster the government's industrial strategy, a 10-year plan focused on growing the UK economy through high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence. Previously, only a limited number of bodies, such as Arts Council England and the Royal Society, along with specific award recipients, were authorized to provide endorsements for scientists, tech engineers, and other industry leaders.
The reforms are being spearheaded by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST), though immigration policy remains under the Home Office's purview. A government taskforce on global talent, chaired by the Prime Minister’s business adviser Varun Chandra, is actively working to attract skilled individuals to the UK. AI minister Kanishka Narayan has been a proponent of this visa expansion, particularly for engineers, and has suggested offering visa fee reimbursements to further incentivize talented migrants.
The global talent visa, despite its application cost of £766 and an additional £1,035 annual healthcare surcharge, has remained popular. Applications saw only a minor decrease of 2.4% year-on-year, with over 99% of decisions resulting in a visa grant.