(Commonwealth_Europe) Keir Starmer is looking at ways to make it easier and cheaper for the world’s brightest minds to come to Britain. According to people familiar with the discussions, the prime minister is considering proposals that would scrap visa fees for leading scientists, academics, and digital experts. The aim is to strengthen the UK’s position as a hub for innovation and growth at a time when the United States has gone in the opposite direction, introducing a hefty $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas.
Starmer’s “global talent task force” is weighing up several options, including waiving costs entirely for people who have studied at the world’s top universities or won prestigious awards. “We’re kicking around the idea of cutting costs to zero,” one official said, explaining that the focus is on individuals whose skills and achievements could have a big impact on the UK economy.
Currently, the UK’s global talent visa costs £766 per applicant, and family members pay the same. On top of that, there’s an annual health surcharge of more than £1,000 per person. For many, the fee is a considerable financial barrier. The visa route was introduced in 2020 and is designed for recognised leaders in science, engineering, medicine, digital technology, humanities, and the arts.
Officials say momentum for reform has grown since Donald Trump decided to impose steep new fees in the U.S. “That move has put wind in the sails of those wanting to reform Britain’s high-end visa system,” one person involved in the talks said, adding that the goal is to have changes ready ahead of the November budget.
Varun Chandra, Starmer’s business adviser, and Lord Patrick Vallance, the science minister, are chairing the task force. Insiders emphasise that the Home Office is actively reviewing the visa routes, despite not having adopted the proposals yet. One official insisted the effort was not about relaxing migration controls but about making sure the UK gets the “brightest and best” talent, noting there is unity across government on this point.
Alongside visa reforms, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reviewing the tax system to ensure Britain remains attractive to high-skilled individuals. Her changes to the non-domicile tax regime sparked concerns that wealthy residents might leave, though early signs suggest the impact has been limited.
The demand for the global talent visa is already rising fast; nearly 3,900 were granted in the year ending June 2023, up more than 75 percent from the year before. University leaders have applauded the government’s focus but say there is more to do. Jamie Arrowsmith, who heads Universities UK International, explained that making the visa process smoother is just part of the solution. “Ultimately, to attract global talent, we need to be able to offer funding and autonomy and make the transition as seamless as possible,” he said.
A Home Office spokesperson stressed that Britain’s global talent routes are already playing an important role in drawing in scientists, researchers, and innovators. But as the competition for top minds intensifies worldwide, the question is whether lowering visa costs, or even abolishing them altogether, will give the UK an edge in keeping itself at the forefront of global talent flows.
