Global Talent Visa Solicitors
Why AY&J Solicitors For Global Talent
- Endorsement is won on framing, not just achievement. We work out which criteria your record supports, then build around them.
- We know the six endorsing bodies and what each one looks for. The evidence that convinces Tech Nation is not what convinces the Royal Society.
Why A Y & J Are Your Ideal Sponsor Licence Solicitors
- First need a confirmed job offer from a UK employer holding a valid sponsor licence
- Then, you can apply for Skilled Worker visa and move to the UK.
- Then, you can apply for Skilled Worker visa and move to the UK.
- Then, you can apply for Skilled Worker visa and move to the UK.
Our story in numbers
Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise?
Exceptional Talent
- For an established leader already recognised in the field
- A track record of influence and achievement
- Settlement after 3 years
- The higher bar, but the faster route to ILR
Exceptional Promise
- For an emerging leader on a clear upward path
- Potential backed by early achievement
- Settlement after 3 years, except 5 on Tech Nation or Arts Council
- The route for those earlier in their career
5 steps to your sponsor licence.
A free 15-minute call with our client team to check your business is eligible for a sponsor licence and spot anything that could rule an application out. This is a screening call, not legal advice, so there is no fee.
You receive: a clear view of whether we can help, and your fixed fee.
Once the client care agreement is signed, a solicitor reviews your business, the roles you want to fill and your key personnel, then confirms the right licence type and the documents you need.
You receive: a written eligibility position and a document checklist.
We audit your HR systems against sponsor duties, fix any gaps, draft the policies you need and build your Appendix A document bundle.
You receive: a compliance-ready application bundle.
A senior associate reviews the file independently before we complete the online application, pay the Home Office fee and send your supporting documents within 5 working days.
You receive: submission confirmation and updates on a set schedule.
We prepare your team for any Home Office compliance visit and handle queries until the decision, then help you assign Certificates of Sponsorship and stay compliant.
You receive: a licence ready to use and a compliance plan.
Our Process
The AY&J Process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Eligibility assessment
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
You receive
Written eligibility and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review & Evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
You receive
Pre submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J Process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
British citizenship eligibility assessment
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
You receive
Written eligibility and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review & Evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
You receive
Pre submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Eligibility assessment
We read the refusal and confirm you have a right of appeal.
You receive
A quick standing check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
We confirm your ground, appeal or JR, and protect your 3C leave.
You receive
Written next steps and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
We draft the grounds and build the bundle and skeleton argument.
You receive
A complete appeal bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review and evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
We serve the bundle and represent you at the hearing.
You receive
A pre-submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
We explain the outcome and advise on any onward appeal.
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Individual eligibility assessment
A phone or video call, wherever you are in Edinburgh, to check for issues.
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
A solicitor maps your options on a video call, at a time that suits you.
You receive
Written next steps and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
We gather your documents and build the evidence bundle for you.
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review and evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
A senior associate reviews, then we submit and deal with the Home Office.
You receive
A pre-submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
We explain the decision and your next steps by video.
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J Process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Family dependant eligibility assessment
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
You receive
Written eligibility and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review & Evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
You receive
Pre submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Eligibility assessment
We check both tests, the relationship and the finances.
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
We map the right financial category and the risk.
You receive
Written next steps and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
We build the relationship evidence and draft the application.
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review and evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
We submit online, book biometrics, and monitor the decision.
You receive
A pre-submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
We explain the outcome and plan extension and settlement.
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Costs & Processing Times
In our clients' own words.
“After our ILR rejection, AY&J pursued our case through Administrative Review and Judicial Review. The team was open, honest, knowledgeable and attentive to every detail. They kept us informed at every stage, supported us throughout an extremely difficult journey and helped us regain confidence in our case.”
Tell us about your work
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility and fields
A leader or emerging leader in science, engineering, humanities, arts and culture, or digital technology. You are judged on your record, with no job offer or sponsor needed.
Eligibility and fields
No. This route has no sponsor, no Certificate of Sponsorship, and no minimum salary. That is what sets it apart from Skilled Worker.
Eligibility and fields
Exceptional Talent is for an established leader already recognised in the field. Exceptional Promise is for an emerging leader on a clear upward path. It affects when you can settle.
Eligibility and fields
Digital tech goes to Tech Nation. Arts and culture to Arts Council England. Science and research to the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the British Academy, or UKRI.
Eligibility and fields
Yes. Our Global Talent AI and Automation page covers the Tech Nation criteria for digital tech and AI in full detail.
Endorsement and evidence
Stage 1 of the route. An approved body confirms you meet the bar in your field. Only then do you apply for the visa itself.
Endorsement and evidence
A personal statement, a CV, up to ten pieces of evidence, and three recommendation letters from established experts. Each piece should prove a specific claim.
Endorsement and evidence
You skip endorsement entirely and apply straight for the visa. The Home Office prize list was expanded in 2026, so it is worth checking whether yours now qualifies.
Endorsement and evidence
You can request a review within 28 days, or submit a fresh, stronger application. We assess which is the better route for your case.
Endorsement and evidence
Usually 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the body and the volume of applications. There is no priority service at this stage.
Costs and timing
A £561 endorsement fee at Stage 1, then a £205 visa fee at Stage 2, plus the health surcharge. The prize route pays the full £766 in one go.
Costs and timing
No. There is no minimum salary, and no Immigration Skills Charge, because there is no sponsor.
Costs and timing
Around three months on standard processing. Endorsement 4 to 8 weeks, then the visa, about 3 weeks from outside the UK or up to 8 inside.
Costs and timing
Priority is available at the visa stage only, for about £500. It does nothing for endorsement, which is the longer stage.
Costs and timing
There is no maintenance funds requirement at either stage of the Global Talent route.
After you arrive
Yes, freely. You can work for anyone, freelance, or found a company. There is no visa restriction and no need to tell the Home Office.
After you arrive
After 3 years for Exceptional Talent and the research bodies. It is 5 years for Exceptional Promise on Tech Nation or Arts Council.
After you arrive
Yes. A partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants, and they can work and study.
After you arrive
Yes. After settlement, you can apply for British citizenship once you meet the residence requirements.
Eligibility and fields
We assess your record against the criteria for your field. Then we tell you honestly whether you are Talent, Promise, or not yet ready.