Global Talent visa: Indian citizen in India → United Kingdom
Indian citizens aged 18+ who are leaders or potential leaders in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology get an endorsement (unless they've won an eligible prestigious prize), then apply online on gov.uk for a Global Talent visa to live and work in the UK for up to 5 years at a time.
Lets leaders or potential leaders in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology work in the UK without a job offer, usually after getting an endorsement.
- Validity
- You can live and work in the UK for up to 5 years at a time.
- Entries
- Multiple entry — you can apply to extend the visa as many times as you like.
- Max stay per visit
- Up to 5 years at a time before you need to extend it.
When to start
Start 21 days–3 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in India
- Delhi & Mumbai: usually 1–2 weeks for a slot; peak season can stretch towards 4 weeks.
- Tier-2 centres (Pune, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad) often have earlier slots — a train ticket can beat the wait.
- The New Delhi centre relocated in early 2026 — confirm the current address on the official VFS site before you go.
- Applicants report slots opening 7–21 days out in normal months — book the moment you pay your fee.
You can apply if you're a leader or potential leader in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology, and you must be at least 18 years old.
If you've not won an eligible prestigious prize, you'll need to get an endorsement first to prove that you're a leader or potential leader in your field.
Complete the visa application on gov.uk. It costs £766 to apply (paid in two parts if you apply based on an endorsement: £561 for the endorsement and £205 for the visa), plus the healthcare surcharge.
As part of your application, you'll need to prove your identity and provide your documents — using the ID Check app or at a visa application centre.
From outside the UK you'll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
What you'll need
- Valid passport — A valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality. ✓ verified
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results — Your tuberculosis test results if you're from a country where you have to take the test (this includes India). ✓ verified· you're from a country where you have to take the test
- Certified translation — A certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh. ✓ verified· documents are not in English or Welsh
Where you'll apply
Apply online on gov.uk, then prove your identity — either with the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app or by giving fingerprints and a photo at a UK visa application centre (VFS Global) in India.
Fees
| Global Talent visa | GBP 766 |
Gotchas to watch
- If you've not won an eligible prestigious prize, you'll need to get an endorsement first before you can apply for the visa.
- On the endorsement route you pay the fee in two parts: £561 when you apply for the endorsement and £205 when you apply for the visa itself.