Details of the Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) route confirmed
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) have confirmed details of how the new Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) route will be implemented which will allow the route to come into use.The new Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) category will open to applications on 9 August 2011. There is a limit of 1,000 places in the first year of operation. There will be 500 places available between the 9 August and 30 November and a further 500 places available from the 1 December to 31 March 2012. The number of places will be reviewed at the end of March 2012.
Changes to the Immigration Rules were laid before parliament on 18 July 2011 which detail the amendments to the Tier 1 route and how it will work in practice. The UKBA have also published new policy guidance on how the route will operation which is available from the Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) page of the UKBA website.
Whilst the new route officially came into force on 6 April 2011, it has not yet been used because the details of how applicants will be endorsed by a ‘Designated Competent Body’ were not confirmed. The changes to the Immigration Rules confirm the Designated Competent Bodies and eligibility criteria.
Designated Competent Bodies
To qualify for one of the 1000 Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) visas available each year an applicant must be endorsed by one of the following bodies:
- The Arts Council (for arts and culture) – 300 places
- The Royal Society (for natural sciences and medical science research) – 300 places
- The Royal Academy of Engineering (for engineering) – 200 places
- The British Academy (for humanities and social sciences) – 200 places
Eligibility criteria
Before applying to a Designated Competent Body an applicant must first contact the UKBA to get a unique reference number. This will allow the UKBA to manage the limit on visas effectively.
In order to prevent repeat speculative applications, applicants will only be able to request a maximum of three reference numbers each year (April to April).
The eligibility criteria an applicant must meet are detailed in these documents:
- Eligibility criteria: Arts Council England (PDF, 50KB)
- Eligibility criteria: British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society (PDF, 113KB)
Other requirements
The changes to the Immigration Rules also clarify some other requirements of the visa category.
The original rules incorrectly stated that applicants extending their stay must score points for maintenance funds and do not need to score points for English language skills. The reverse is actually true and the updated rules reflect this. Applicants are not subject to a maintenance requirement and must provide evidence of their English language skills when they apply to extend their stay.
Applicants should also be aware that a Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) visa will be curtailed, or withdrawn, if the relevant Designated Competent Body withdraws its endorsement.
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