Tier 1 (Exceptional talent)
Requirements for initial applications
This page describes the requirements that you must meet if you are applying for a visa to enter or remain in the UK under Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) of the points-based system.
The Can you apply? page contains a summary of these requirements.
Endorsement by a designated competent body
You will score 75 points if you have an endorsement from a 'designated competent body'. This is an organisation that can judge whether you are internationally recognised in your field as a world-leading talent, or have demonstrated exceptional promise and are likely to become a world-leading talent.
You can download the endorsement criteria used by the designated competent bodies, and their code of practice, from the right side of this page.
You will need to obtain an endorsement from a designated competent body as part of your visa application. The Documents required section sets out the documents that you should provide in order to obtain an endorsement.
There is a limit on the number of endorsements that each designated competent body can allocate. The main Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) page lists the limit for each body. The table below shows whether each body has reached its limit for the current period. We will update the table when a body approaches or reaches its limit.
| Designated competent body | Are endorsements still available? |
|---|---|
| Royal Society | Yes |
| Arts Council England | Yes |
| British Academy | Yes |
| Royal Academy of Engineering | Yes |
Students with financial sponsorship
You may need to meet an additional requirement when you make your visa application, if you have recently received financial sponsorship as a student in the UK.
Your financial sponsor must give their unconditional consent for you to re-enter or remain in the UK. If they do not give unconditional consent, or give their consent for a limited time, we will refuse your application.
The consent must be given in writing, on the organisation's official letter-headed paper or stationery. It must bear the organisation's official stamp, and must have been issued by an authorised official of the organisation.
You must meet this additional requirement if a government or an international scholarship agency has given you financial sponsorship, which has wholly covered your course fees and living costs, to study in the UK during the past 12 months:
- under Tier 4 (General) of the points-based system; or
- as a student, student nurse, student re-sitting an examination, student writing up a thesis, postgraduate doctor or dentist, an overseas qualified nurse or midwife or a student sabbatical officer.
You do not need to provide your financial sponsor's consent if you have received private financial sponsorship during your studies (from an employer or a relative, for example).
More information
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Other requirements (general grounds for refusal)
Even if you meet the requirements described above, we may refuse your application for other reasons (such as your previous immigration history) . For more information about these 'general grounds for refusal', see Chapter 9 of our immigration directorate instructions.
Application forms
Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) policy guidance
- Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) policy guidance PDF 411KB opens in a new window
MORE NEWS AND UPDATES
- Changes to the Immigration Rules - April 2013
- Revisions to the codes of practice for skilled migrant workers
- Renewal of the temporary concession in the Immigration Rules for Syrians
- New immigration fees proposed
Policy & Law
Related documents
- Arts criteriaPDF 106KB opens in a new window
- Science criteriaPDF 185KB opens in a new window
- Codes of practicePDF 205KB opens in a new window