The UK government has expanded its Global Talent visa programme to allow more than 100 research-intensive businesses to recruit top scientists and engineers from around the world, as part of efforts to strengthen innovation, research and economic growth.
Announcing the move on Thursday, the government said the expanded scheme will, for the first time, enable eligible commercial research companies to sponsor exceptional researchers working on funded projects, alongside universities, academic institutions and independent research organisations.
The newly eligible companies include AstraZeneca, Jaguar Land Rover, Added Value Solutions (AVS), Denroy Plastics and Ffilm Cymru. The government said the has already supported more than 12,500 researchers from over 130 countries in building careers in the UK.
The expansion is expected to boost recruitment across key sectors such as clean energy, artificial intelligence, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and the creative industries.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the changes would make it easier for innovative companies to attract world-class researchers who can help develop future technologies, create skilled jobs and drive economic growth.
Professor Christopher Smith, UK Research and Innovation’s International Talent and Skills Champion, said broadening access to the visa would strengthen research across multiple industries and regions of the country.
Industry groups, including the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, UKQuantum and the BioIndustry Association, welcomed the move, describing it as a significant step towards improving the UK’s ability to attract global talent.
Riverlane CEO Steve Brierley said the faster and more flexible visa route would help high-growth technology firms compete internationally for the highly skilled experts needed to advance emerging fields such as quantum computing.
