UKRI welcomes changes to government immigration rules

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UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has welcomed the government’s autumn immigration rules change, which was published on 10 September.

What are the changes?

The changes to the Temporary Worker and Global Talent Visa (GTV) schemes will enable a further widening of support that UKRI mobility schemes can offer international researchers.

The UKRI Temporary Worker Government Authorised Exchange Visa (T5) mobility scheme for researchers will expand eligibility to include UKRI-eligible public sector research establishments. Meanwhile, the Global Talent Visa endorsed funder criteria will be simplified.

Melanie Welham, Executive Champion of People, Culture and Talent, said:

UKRI welcomes these changes to government immigration rules, which will play a significant role in strengthening the UK’s research and innovation system.

By expanding and improving upon the options for international researchers to come to the UK, we are taking a lead in building a connected and diverse research and innovation sector.

It’s really pleasing to see the strong progress that UKRI is making in delivering on the ambitions in the government’s R&D People and Culture strategy.

What does this mean for UKRI’s community?

The simplification of the GTV Endorsed Funder route will allow researchers who have 12 months remaining on their employment contract or hosting agreement to apply for a GTV fast-track visa, down from 24 months.

This will extend the scheme to more researchers and support those who are working on grants across multiple countries. There are also small administrative changes being made to improve the application process and reduce the bureaucratic burden on applicants and their hosts.

UKRI will be expanding the UKRI Temporary Worker Government Authorised Exchange (GAE) route.

UKRI eligible public sector research establishments will have access to use the mobility scheme in addition to independent research organisations.

The expansion of the scheme criteria will ensure ease of access to researchers and technical experts temporarily coming to the UK to contribute to research, train and work on joint projects. This will allow continued collaboration and skill transfer across national boundaries.

These changes are subject to Parliamentary approval and are due to come into effect on 6 October 2021.

Further information

Find out more about the Global Talent Visa.

For full details on the UKRI Tier 5 GAE scheme, see the UK government Immigration Rules.

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