A recent report has revealed that Nigerians have dominated applications and endorsements list under the UK global talent visa route, outpacing countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The report from The Telegraph revealed that Nigerians have begun to look beyond traditional visa options like student and work visas, with the global talent visa route gaining popularity as a preferred choice.
A breakdown of the report showed that since 2019, Nigerians have filed 729 applications across the UK Global Talent visa categories in the arts including dance, fashion, film, theatre, and visual arts, making them the second-highest nationality overall after the US (977).
It was also gathered that Nigerians submitted 125 applications under the literature category, more than twice the number from the U.S. (61) and more than the combined total from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
However, out of the total 125 applications, only 54 Nigerian applications were endorsed by Arts Council England, the agency responsible for scrutinising the applications under the UK Global Talent Visa.
Also, of the total 729 applications filed across the UK Global Talent, only 59 percent of Nigerian applicants were endorsed, the lowest success rate among major applicant countries apart from Ghana.
In total, more than 5,000 global talent applications have been made by people of all nationalities since 2019, with 3,600 endorsements issued by Arts Council England.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass in this article explains how to apply for the UK Global Talent Visa;
Eligibility and Requirements
To qualify for the UK Global Talent Visa, applicants must demonstrate either exceptional talent (as a recognized leader) or exceptional promise (as an emerging leader) in their field.
Key requirements include: Three dated letters of recommendation from senior professionals in established organizations familiar with the applicant’s work.
Up to 10 pieces of evidence, such as awards, media articles, GitHub repositories (for tech), or published works (for arts). Documents must be recent and under 25 MB.
Applicants with eligible awards (listed on the UK government website) may bypass endorsement.
How to Apply for the UK Global Talent Visa
The application process involves two stages: endorsement and visa application.
Here’s a detailed guide:
Assess Eligibility: Confirm whether you qualify as an exceptional talent or promise and identify the appropriate endorsing body for your field.
Prepare Documentation: Gather three recommendation letters, evidence of achievements (e.g., awards, publications, or project portfolios), and proof of recognition, such as speaking engagements or media coverage.
Submit Endorsement Application: Apply via the UK government’s Global Talent Endorsement portal. Arts Council England typically processes applications in two to four weeks, while Tech Nation and other bodies may take longer.
Apply for the Visa: After endorsement, submit a visa application through the UK Home Office, providing biometrics and paying the visa fee.
Await Decision: The process, from endorsement to visa approval, can take as little as two months.
