The UK has expanded its Global Talent visa to allow “innovative companies” to bring foreign scientists and engineers into the country more easily.
The changes allow a select list of more than 100 selected companies to bring “exceptional researchers” to the UK to work on funded projects. Previously, only a select number of contracted companies were able to give access to the talent visa.
Startups newly included on the list include Riverlane and NuQuantum, which are both working on quantum tech, and Notpla, which is developing next-generation plastics. The list also includes well-established companies like GSK, Arm, Jaguar LandRover and IBM.
Notably absent from the list are the country’s latest cohort of AI labs, including Ineffable Intelligence and Recursive Superintelligence, all of which are highly dependent on cutting-edge research talent.
“The expansion of the Global Talent visa to innovative businesses across the country will ensure these benefits are felt across more of the country and in a wide range of sectors, from medicines and AI to the creative and cultural economy,” said Professor Christopher Smith from UKRI.
In April, the government simplified the visa’s fast-track academic appointments route to cover all roles at approved UK institutions in academic, research or innovation leadership and development.
