The UK government is weighing a proposal to scrap visa fees for top scientists, academics, and digital specialists in a bid to fuel economic growth. The plan comes as the US moves in the opposite direction, introducing a hefty $100,000 charge for new H-1B visas, a scheme heavily relied upon by American tech companies.
According to the Financial Times, prime minister Keir Starmer’s “global talent task force” is reviewing options that could see visa charges waived altogether for candidates who have studied at the world’s top five universities or earned distinguished international awards.
“We’re exploring the idea of bringing costs down to zero,” one official told the FT.
At present, the UK’s global talent visa carries a fee of £766 per applicant, with dependants facing the same costs. On top of this, applicants are typically required to pay an annual healthcare surcharge of £1,035. The visa route, launched in 2020, is designed for recognised leaders across disciplines including science, engineering, medicine, the humanities, digital technology, and the arts.
Demand for the programme has been rising sharply: in the year to June 2023, the number of global talent visas issued jumped 76% to 3,901. Officials involved in the current review said Washington’s steep visa fee increase has strengthened the case for reforming Britain’s system to attract world-class talent.
“Trump’s decision had put wind in the sails of those wanting to reform Britain’s high-end visa system to boost growth ahead of the November 26 budget,” a source told the FT.
