UK to Remove Visa Fees for Top Global Talent

The UK offers a special visa to attract talented individuals, but the visa fees have been relatively high. The UK government is now preparing to reduce or eliminate these fees. Following the uproar in the US over the H-1B visa fee increase to $100,000 (approximately ₹88 lakh), several countries are looking to capitalize on the situation.

China recently announced its new K visa to attract professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Similarly, the UK is considering waiving fees for its Global Talent Visa, which annually brings in a large number of skilled individuals.

According to a Financial Times report, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is exploring proposals to waive visa fees for top scientists, academics, and digital experts as part of efforts to accelerate development. This step is being considered as the US increases H-1B visa fees, which has caused concern among foreign workers in sectors like tech, finance, engineering, and healthcare.

The Prime Minister's Global Talent Task Force is discussing options such as waiving visa fees for those who have studied at the world’s top five universities or have won prestigious awards. An official stated, “We are discussing reducing costs to zero for people who have studied at top universities or received distinguished awards.”

Currently, the UK Global Talent Visa fee is £766 (approximately ₹91,000). If applicants include partners and children, the same fee applies to them as well. Additionally, applicants must pay a health surcharge of £1,035 (around ₹1.23 lakh). The program started in 2020 to attract talent in science, engineering, humanities, medicine, digital technology, and arts & culture sectors.