More than 100 innovative British companies will be able to support leading scientists and engineers from around the world to move to the UK under an expanded Global Talent visa scheme
announced by the government.
The expansion, announced on Thursday, is designed to help businesses recruit international researchers working in areas including artificial intelligence, life sciences, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and other strategic technologies.
Major companies including AstraZeneca and Jaguar Land Rover will be among those able to use the expanded route, alongside smaller and fast-growing research businesses.
The government said the changes would help British companies carry out research and development in the UK, attract investment and create highly skilled jobs.
For the first time, exceptional researchers working on funded projects will be able to receive support from UK commercial research businesses when applying to come to Britain through the Global Talent route.
The visa scheme has already helped more than 12,500 researchers from more than 130 countries build careers in Britain through its endorsed funder pathway.
Under the expanded system, commercial research companies will join universities and independent research organisations already able to support applications from international researchers.
The newly approved companies include AstraZeneca, Jaguar Land Rover, Added Value Solutions, Denroy Plastics and Ffilm Cymru.
They operate across sectors identified as priorities under the government's Modern Industrial Strategy, including advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, clean energy, life sciences and the creative industries.
The government said attracting international researchers would not only strengthen Britain's scientific base but also help companies develop new technologies, launch spin-out businesses and create jobs for British workers.
Researchers whose expertise has been recognised through a funded research grant will also be able to move to another company or establish their own spin-out business, giving them greater flexibility to develop commercial applications for their work.
Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, said Britain was already a "magnet" for leading researchers.
"By expanding the Global Talent visa to more than 100 businesses, we're making it easier than ever for our most innovative companies to recruit eligible researchers who will develop the medicines, technologies and industries of the future right here in the UK," he said.
Professor Christopher Smith, UKRI International, Talent and Skills Champion, said the expansion would allow the benefits of international research talent to reach more parts of the country.
The changes follow reforms introduced in April to simplify the fast-track academic appointments route. That route was expanded to cover academic, research and innovation leadership roles at approved UK institutions, as well as PhD-level positions where research and innovation are the main function.
The government is also preparing to expand the Future Technology Research and Innovation scheme, which allows eligible British companies working on critical technologies to host international researchers, scientists, interns and technical specialists for up to two years.
The planned expansion will make the scheme available to a wider range of research and development businesses, particularly those working in areas such as AI, quantum technologies and engineering biology.
The measures form part of a broader government effort to strengthen Britain's position as a destination for international scientific talent.
Through the £54 million Global Talent Fund, the government says it is supporting the recruitment of research group leaders working in clean energy, life sciences and advanced technologies. So far, 18 researchers have been brought to the UK under the programme.
The government has also established a Global Talent Taskforce to identify leading international researchers and encourage them to build long-term careers in Britain.
Ministers argue that attracting highly skilled researchers will be central to delivering the government's industrial strategy, helping Britain develop new technologies and ensuring more of the resulting investment and employment stays in the UK.
Oliver Buckley-Mellor, UK Competitiveness Senior Policy Manager at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), said:
“The UK’s Global Talent visa is one of the most globally competitive routes of its kind, but its potential to boost British science and economic growth was not being fully realised.
By opening the endorsed funder route to research-intensive businesses, including several ABPI members, the government is helping to address a key gap in our global talent offer.
We were glad to work with UKRI on this expansion, which is a welcome first step that should be built on enable more exceptional global talent to come to the UK”.
Jonathan Legh-Smith, Executive Director, UKQuantum, said:
“Attracting world‑class international talent is critical to sustaining the UK’s momentum in quantum. UKQuantum is delighted to have worked with UKRI to expand the Global Talent Visa scheme to the high‑growth quantum companies operating in the UK, strengthening the sector’s ability to attract world‑class expertise”.
Kate Barclay MBE, Skills Consultant, BioIndustry Association, said:
“Our sector thrives on world‑class talent, and the UK’s ability to compete globally depends on attracting and retaining the very best. By supporting our members to take part in this Global Talent visa expansion with UKRI, we are helping innovative life sciences and biotech companies directly access the specialist skills and international experience they need to scale.
This expansion is a vital, practical opportunity for BIA members to help shape a more agile, responsive immigration system that reflects the realities of a fast‑moving, high-growth industry”.
Steve Brierley, CEO and founder of Riverlane, said:
“Riverlane is a Cambridge-born company solving one of the hardest problems in computing today: making quantum computers reliable enough to be useful. Building the team to do that means competing for a small pool of world-class talent across borders.
The Global Talent visa gives us a fast, flexible route to bring the best people to the UK, and that speed matters when the field is moving as quickly as quantum is right now”. Photo by Canley at the English-language Wikipedia.
