UK Considers Visa Fee Waiver to Attract Global Science and Tech Talent

The UK government is considering waiving visa fees for top global talent in science and technology to bolster economic growth, according to a Financial Times report. The initiative, driven by the Global Talent Taskforce and supported by a £54-million Global Talent Fund launched earlier this year, aims to attract world-class researchers, entrepreneurs, and tech professionals, including many from India. This move comes as the United States imposes a steep $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, a programme heavily utilised by American tech companies and Indian professionals.

The task force, chaired by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s business adviser Varun Chandra and Science Minister Lord Patrick Vallance, is exploring options to eliminate the £766 Global Talent Visa fee for individuals from top-tier universities or recipients of prestigious awards. “We’re kicking around the idea of cutting costs to zero,” a government official told the Financial Times. The visa, introduced in 2020, targets leaders in fields like science, engineering, and digital technology but has been criticised for its bureaucratic hurdles. The task force seeks to streamline the process to make the UK a more attractive destination for elite talent.

The initiative aligns with the UK’s broader strategy to fast-track high-skilled professionals into strategic industries while addressing immigration concerns. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology emphasised that the task force and fund will support relocation and research costs for five years, reinforcing the UK’s position in global innovation. This push contrasts with recent U.S. immigration policies, which have tightened restrictions, potentially giving the UK a competitive edge in attracting talent.

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Meanwhile, the far-right Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, criticised the government’s immigration policies during a London press conference, pledging to abolish indefinite leave to remain if elected. Farage proposed replacing it with a renewable five-year work visa and stricter salary thresholds, citing concerns over non-working migrants.

Downing Street dismissed these plans as “unrealistic” and divisive, underscoring the government’s focus on fostering innovation through targeted immigration reforms.

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