The United Kingdom has broadened its Global Talent visa programme, allowing more than 100 research-focused companies to recruit top scientists and engineers from across the world as part of efforts to strengthen innovation, research and economic development.
In an announcement published on its website on Thursday, the UK government said the expansion means outstanding researchers working on funded projects can now be sponsored by eligible commercial research companies for the first time, in addition to universities, academic institutions and independent research organisations.
Among the businesses newly admitted into the scheme are AstraZeneca, Jaguar Land Rover, Added Value Solutions, Denroy Plastics and Ffilm Cymru.
According to the government, the Global Talent visa has enabled more than 12,500 researchers from over 130 countries to establish research careers in the UK through the endorsed funder pathway.
It noted that the latest expansion would attract more international experts into fields such as clean energy, life sciences, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and the creative sector.
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Jonathan Reynolds said, “The UK is already a magnet for the world’s most brilliant minds – and the discoveries they make here change lives and grow our economy.
“By expanding the Global Talent visa to more than 100 businesses, we’re making it easier than ever for our most innovative companies to recruit eligible researchers who will develop the medicines, technologies and industries of the future right here in the UK, underpinning our industrial strategy, creating skilled jobs and driving growth in the process.”
UK Research and Innovation International, Talent and Skills Champion Professor Christopher Smith said, “By providing a route for exceptional researchers to work in and contribute to the UK, the Global Talent visa is playing an important role in our mission to advance knowledge, improve lives and drive growth.
“The expansion of the Global Talent visa to innovative businesses across the country will ensure these benefits are felt across more of the country and in a wide range of sectors, from medicines and AI to the creative and cultural economy.”
Oliver Buckley-Mellor, UK Competitiveness Senior Policy Manager at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, described the expansion as an important improvement to the UK’s talent strategy.
“The UK’s Global Talent visa is one of the most globally competitive routes of its kind, but its potential to boost British science and economic growth was not being fully realised.
“By opening the endorsed funder route to research-intensive businesses, including several ABPI members, the government is helping to address a key gap in our global talent offer.
“We were glad to work with UKRI on this expansion, which is a welcome first step that should be built on enable more exceptional global talent to come to the UK.”
Jonathan Legh-Smith, Executive Director of UKQuantum, said: “Attracting world-class international talent is critical to sustaining the UK’s momentum in quantum.
UKQuantum is delighted to have worked with UKRI to expand the Global Talent Visa scheme to the high-growth quantum companies operating in the UK, strengthening the sector’s ability to attract world-class expertise.”
Kate Barclay MBE, Skills Consultant at the BioIndustry Association, said, “Our sector thrives on world-class talent, and the UK’s ability to compete globally depends on attracting and retaining the very best. By supporting our members to take part in this Global Talent visa expansion with UKRI, we are helping innovative life sciences and biotech companies directly access the specialist skills and international experience they need to scale.
“This expansion is a vital, practical opportunity for BIA members to help shape a more agile, responsive immigration system that reflects the realities of a fast-moving, high-growth industry.”
Riverlane Chief Executive Officer and founder Steve Brierley said: “Riverlane is a Cambridge-born company solving one of the hardest problems in computing today: making quantum computers reliable enough to be useful. Building the team to do that means competing for a small pool of world-class talent across borders.
“The Global Talent visa gives us a fast, flexible route to bring the best people to the UK, and that speed matters when the field is moving as quickly as quantum is right now.”
