The basics
What Appendix Global Talent is, and where Stage 1 fits
Appendix Global Talent is the section of the Immigration Rules for the Global Talent route. For most people it is a two-part process: an application for endorsement, then an application for the visa itself. The endorsement rules are numbered GTE. This guide covers those endorsement rules only.
GTE 1
How the application must be made
The endorsement application must be made online on the specified form, "Apply for Global Talent endorsement - stage 1". The fee must be paid, and the application must be for the endorsing body in the field relevant to you. An application that does not meet these validity requirements may be rejected as invalid and not considered.
- Online form only
- Endorsement fee paid
- Made to the endorsing body for your field
GTE 2
You apply in one of three fields
Every application must be made under one field and meet the endorsement requirements for that field. An application made under the wrong field is assessed against the wrong requirements.
Reading the rules is one thing. Knowing how they apply to your own evidence is another.
Book a free 30-minute callGTE 7
The digital technology rules (Tech Nation)
You must satisfy Tech Nation that you have been recognised as an exceptional talent, or as someone with exceptional promise, in digital technology in the last 5 years. You must also show proven technical expertise, or proven commercial, investment or product expertise in building digital products.
GTE 8
The research rules: fast track or full peer review
You must be an active researcher in an academic, industry or government research institution. You then apply either on a fast track or for full peer review.
Arts and culture
The arts and culture rules sit with Arts Council England
Arts and culture applications are assessed by Arts Council England, which passes film and television applications to Pact. The detailed evidence rules, such as the number of documents and letters, are set out in Arts Council England's guidance.
Read the official guidanceRules and guidance
The rules set the test; the guidance explains the evidence
The GTE rules say what you must show. Each endorsing body's guidance explains what evidence it accepts and how to present it. Tech Nation's own guide says it is not a substitute for the official guidance, and that applications are assessed against the official guidance. Read both before you apply.
Related guides
Keep reading
Guides applicants usually read next on this topic.
Global Talent endorsement requirements: what each endorsing body asks for
Each endorsing body sets its own Stage 1 tests, so the requirements for a software founder, a researcher and a theatre director are very different.
Read related guideTech Nation optional criteria examples: what counts for each of the four criteria
A criterion-by-criterion guide to the evidence that can work, and the evidence that does not, for the four Tech Nation optional criteria.
Read related guideExceptional Talent vs Exceptional Promise: which category fits your endorsement application?
Talent is for recognised leaders and Promise is for early-career potential leaders, but each endorsing body draws the line in its own way.
Read related guideApplying from outside the UK. If your evidence comes from outside the UK, explain its standing in terms a UK assessor can judge, and provide English translations where the endorsing body asks for them.
Article FAQ
Questions to settle before you spend time or money.
Use these answers to check the practical risks, documents, and decisions connected to this topic.
What is Appendix Global Talent?
It is the part of the UK Immigration Rules that sets out the Global Talent route, including the GTE rules for Stage 1 endorsement.
Do I need an endorsement if I have won a major prize?
Not if the prize is listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes. A listed prize counts as showing exceptional talent.
Which rule sets the Tech Nation letter requirements?
GTE 7.2. It asks for 3 dated letters from 3 different experts who have known your work for 12 months or more.
Can I apply for endorsement and the visa at the same time?
Yes, the rules allow both.
What happens if my application does not meet the validity rules?
It may be rejected as invalid and not considered, so check the form, the fee and the field before you submit.
Stage 1 help
Not sure which GTE rules apply to you?
In a free 30-minute call we look at your background against the rules for your field and the endorsing body's guidance.