If you're a researcher from outside the UK, you can apply to come to – or remain in – the UK via the Tier 1 visa route.
There are two ways you can apply for a Tier 1 visa. How you apply depends on whether you will be a member of staff employed on the grant, or if you will hold the award.
A Tier 1 Global Talent visa offers you more flexibility than other UK immigration routes. You:
You may also be able to switch to a Tier 1 visa if you’re already in the UK on a Tier 2 or Tier 5 visa.
Wellcome is a recognised endorsed funder(opens in a new tab).
If you're applying for a Tier 1 visa via this route, you will need to have:
From 1 July 2020 to 31 July 2021 (extended from 31 January 2021), academics and researchers wishing to work on Covid-19 related grants can apply for a Global Talent Visa under relaxed criteria.
The changed criteria are:
The application process remains unchanged. See the UKRI website(opens in a new tab) for more information.
The endorsed funder route is administered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)(opens in a new tab). You should contact UKRI for more information on the application criteria and how to apply.
If you're applying for a Tier 1 visa via this route, you should be an exceptionally talented or promising individual in the field of science, engineering, humanities and social sciences or the arts.
You must be able to demonstrate that you're:
or
If you hold one of the awards listed below, you're guaranteed an endorsement of your Tier 1 application (see the 'Stage 1: Endorsement' section below).
If you hold a Wellcome award that is not on this list, you can still apply for a Tier 1 visa, but your endorsement is not guaranteed.
There is a two-stage application process.
You need to apply for endorsement via the Home Office(opens in a new tab).
Your application will be considered by one of the five recognised Designated Competent Bodies, who will decide if you have the skills, abilities and achievements to be endorsed. You can find out more about the Tier 1 visa on their websites.
The five bodies are:
Once you’ve been endorsed, you can apply to the Home Office for your visa. You must apply for the visa within three months of being endorsed.
Contact our information officers if you have a question about funding.