UK To Launch Global Talent Visa to Attract Top Researchers and Scientists



United Kingdom prime minister, Boris Johnson has announced that a fast-track UK visa dubbed   'Global Talent visa' aimed at giving world-class researchers, scientists and mathematicians fast-tracked entry to Britain will be launched as from next month.

The visa will be open from 20 February to those who work in qualifying fields and have been endorsed by a recognized UK body.

This comes at an opportune time when leading researchers had been lobbying the government to fast-track visa system to mitigate what they feared would be a brain drain after Brexit.

In his announcement, the PM said that the UK has a proud history of scientific discovery and to lead the field and face the challenges of the future there is a need to continue investing in talent and cutting-edge research.

"To this end, the UK is open to the most talented minds in the world, and stand ready to support them to turn their ideas into reality," he added.

The new visa system will be managed by the UK Research and Innovation Agency (UKRI), which funds government research to ensure that suitable applicants are quickly assessed and fast-tracked.

Additionally, there will be no cap on the number of people who can use the visa, unlike the one it replaces which was capped at 2,000 per year.

Prof Sir Venki Ramakrishnan, president of the Royal Society, welcomed the announcement, saying the new visa would be "attractive" to talented researchers and specialists from all over the world - and at all stages of their careers.

Photo courtesy of Google

Article by Jedidah Mwangi

Source;https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/science-environment-51258068

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