This option is intended for highly skilled professionals in humanities and sciences, engineering, arts and digital technologies who can enrich the UK’s innovative economy and cultural life.
The process of obtaining a British passport
Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa is an alternative immigration option for industry experts and foreign employees wishing to work in the UK. Our clients always ask questions about this visa, so we decided to post an article about it and tell about how to obtain a British passport successfully.
Possibility to bring family
The applicant’s family may join him/her in the UK, but the evidence must be provided that the applicant can sustain any family members and provide financial support in the UK.
Applying for a visa
This category was created for highly qualified experts in specific professional fields who wish to work in the UK. Applicants must be internationally recognized leaders of the highest level in their field, or demonstrate exceptional prospects in their field of work.
Stage 1 – Confirmation of exceptional talent
Stage 1 is designed to assess the skills and achievements of the applicant, and allows to validate them in order to approve and promote your application.
Immigration consultants of Legal Group help the potential applicants to comply with the requirements of the competent authority, using their knowledge and experience.
Each applicant must obtain approval from the following recognized appropriate authorities:
- English Arts Council – for applicants engaged in the arts, culture, fashion, architecture, film and television;
British Academy – for applicants in the humanities and social sciences; - Royal Society – for applicants who are researchers in the natural and medical sciences;
Royal Academy of Engineering – for applicants engaged in the art of engineering; - Tech Nation – for applicants engaged in digital technologies.
Competent authorities have two sets of criteria:
Exceptional talent for applicants who have already demonstrated that they have become
leaders in their fields and made significant contributions to it.
An exceptional prospect for applicants who have already demonstrated their potential and
will be able to make significant contributions in the future as the leaders in their field.
Once the applicant has received approval from the competent authority, he/she can proceed to
the second stage.
Stage 2 – Immigration application
Stage 2 is a process carried out exclusively by the Home Office, during which the possibility of immigration is assessed based on a confirmation letter from the relevant authority.
Visa (entry permit) is usually granted for a period of:
- 1 year and 4 months
- 2 years and 4 months
- 3 years and 4 months
- 4 years and 4 months OR
- 5 years and 4 months
Immigration consultants of Legal Group will help you with the paperwork and submit an application to the Home Office.
Visa extension
An applicant submits a relevant application by providing a copy of the Stage 1 letter. This letter confirms that the applicant met the criteria of exceptional talent or exceptional prospect, and on this basis, the term of the entry permit will be determined as 3 or 5 years, respectively.
Obtaining an indefinite leave to remain (ILR)
The established period of stay required to obtain an indefinite leave to remain depends on the criteria based on which the applicant is granted a visa – exceptional talent or exceptional prospect. The period of stay must be continuous, although short periods of absence are permitted. However, the statutory established period of stay for any dependent partner is 5 years.
Obtaining a UK passport
One year after receiving an indefinite leave to remain, the applicant may apply for naturalization and become a UK citizen.
The requirements for obtaining citizenship are given below:
- The applicant must pass a test of knowledge of English and the peculiarities of living in the UK;
- The applicant must be in good standing and must not violate any UK immigration regulations;
- The applicant must have spent not more than 450 days outside the UK over the 5-year term prior to applying;
- The applicant must not have spent more than 90 days outside the UK in 12 months prior to the application.