What is a talent visa?

It is a program some countries have initiated in order to attract talented professionals. For example, The Global Talent Visa in the UK, O-1 and EB-1/2 NIW in the USA, The Passeport Talent in France, and The Golden Visa in the UAE.

Professionals from various fields, ranging from IT and medicine to fashion designers and bloggers, can obtain this type of visa.

How does the talent visa differ from other visa types?

The Application Process

Obtaining a talent visa is often easier than most immigration type visas. First, you don't need a job offer*, a high salary as required for digital nomad visas, or millions in your account that is necessary for those obtaining visas based on financial independence.

* An exception is the US O-1 visa, but even in this case, there is a solution such as starting your own company.

Second, you don't need to meet all the specified criteria. And some criteria can be improved in a few months on your own or with the help of PR specialists. For instance, articles in the media and public appearances can be done within 1-6 months and, depending on the visa type, these activities can help you meet 25 to 50% of the criteria.

Third, the approval rate is higher since the talent visa is granted solely based on an assessment of your achievements. It's not a lottery, like the Diversity Visa Program or H-1B.

You Don’t Need a Relevant Degree

It's not mandatory to have an academic degree or even education in the chosen field to obtain a talent visa. Usually, having 3-5 years of work experience is sufficient; what's more important are your achievements.

Flexibility and Freedom

You get the same rights and opportunities as local residents. You can work, start your own business, study, volunteer, access healthcare, and travel freely. Unlike, for example, those who obtain refugee visas, you gain all these rights immediately, without an interim phase.

An exception is again the O-1 visa in the US. However, we recommend considering it as an opportunity to experience life in the United States and assess whether it suits you for future immigration through the EB-1 visa.

Opportunities for Family

Talent visa holders can bring their family members without any additional criteria, whereas financially independent individuals or digital nomads must show higher income for each additional person. Family members enjoy the same opportunities as the applicant, except for the O-1 visa, which does not allow them to work.

Easy Renewal and Path to Citizenship

You don't have to worry about leaving the country immediately after the visa expires. Simply apply for an extension - there are no limits on the number of renewals for one person.

For the American O-1 visa, which can only be renewed once for a year, you can just reapply. Usually, after the first approval, subsequent renewals are granted smoothly.

Often, the talent visa is the simplest way to obtain citizenship or permanent residency (except for The Golden Visa in the UAE). For example, the United Kingdom allows you to apply for a passport five years after receiving the visa, if you meet the conditions for the required number of days spent in the country each year. With an EB visas in the USA you become a permanent resident immediately, and you can apply for citizenship after five years upon meeting certain conditions.

Recognition of Your Achievements

Even during the application preparation, you will start noticing your achievements and attributing them to yourself. Finally receiving the visa boosts your confidence that you are a true professional in your field.