Funder celebrates success of scheme for researchers while criticism mounts of planned migration rule changes
National funder UK Research and Innovation has hailed the “milestone” of endorsing 5,000 researchers to qualify for the government’s post-Brexit visa scheme.
The funder celebrated the success of the Global Talent visa—set up in 2020 to provide a specialist route for international researchers to come to the UK—amid mounting criticism of planned changes to another visa route used by researchers, as well as the cost of UK visas for international scientists
Under the fast-track Global Talent visa route, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) can endorse researchers, along with the Royal Society, the British Academy or the Royal Academy of Engineering. The route has no cap on the number of researchers it supports to come to the UK and no minimum salary threshold.
‘Enriching lives—locally and globally’
UKRI revealed on 15 December that since the scheme’s launch in 2020, it has endorsed 5,000 researchers from over 130 countries to work in the UK.
“Each of these 5,000 endorsements for a Global Talent visa represents a talented individual who has chosen to further their career in the UK, undertaking research and innovation that will enrich lives not only locally and nationally, but globally too,” said UKRI chief executive Ottoline Leyser.
“I am grateful to all the people and organisations who have made this milestone possible, and I look forward to our continued collaboration in increasing the opportunities for researchers from around the world to live and work in the UK.”
Unlike other immigration routes open to academics, the Global Talent visa is not tied to a specific job, meaning researchers can move freely between jobs without risk. But applicants are still required to pay fees, with the visa application itself costing £716—although the fee is cheaper than the Skilled Workers visa application, which can cost up to £1,500.
Criticism mounts on proposed changes
The Skilled Workers visa has been the subject of criticism in recent weeks after the government recently announced plans to increase the earnings threshold for overseas workers using the route from £26,200 to £38,700—a 50 per cent rise.
According to the government’s National Careers Service, research scientists’ salaries typically range from £17,688 to £43,000, meaning many researchers could struggle to come to the UK.
Daniel Rathbone, interim executive director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering, said the changes to the Skilled Workers visa are a “cause for concern”.
“Raising the salary threshold for skilled workers to a level above the average salaries for post-doctoral researchers and technicians in the UK is totally counterproductive to the government’s ambitions of being a science superpower,” he said.
“While Global Talent Visas are not subject to the salary threshold, not all scientists and researchers are able to use this route to come to the UK. These proposed changes, combined with big increases in visa costs earlier this year, run the risk that the UK becomes a less and less attractive destination for the world’s brightest and best talent.”
Risk of ‘reciprocal effect’
On 15 December, the Royal Society of Biology also criticised the Skilled Workers visa changes, saying the changes risk “reducing the attractiveness of the UK for global talent and increasingly isolating UK researchers and research institutions from the global community”.
“There could also be a reciprocal effect on other countries’ openness to welcoming UK researchers,” the group warned.
The RSB added that it is working with other organisations representing researchers and research institutions to seek “urgent engagement” with the government to ensure the UK remains welcoming to international scientists and their families.