Skilled professionals who have performed distinguished services or possess advanced degrees in a few selective fields are considered eligible for a GTI visa or special talent visa. Obtaining such a visa can require fulfilling the different prerequisites across several stages, which might differ from country to country.
So, firstly let’s check which countries offer or accept them.
Countries Accepting GTI or Special Talent Visa & Immigration
Globally, only a handful of countries recognize or provide such visas to applicants who possess exceptional skills or have made significant contributions to their respective fields.
- USA
The US Embassy offers two types of visas, namely O-1A and O-1B, to respective applicants. The former kind of applicants should possess extraordinary abilities in science, athletics, business, or education. Its validity depends on the duration of the event; otherwise, it is valid for 3 years.
Key Benefits:
- Work in the US legally.
- Visa Holders and Associated Family Members can travel to and from the US without needing other visas.
- A spouse and children can accompany the visa holder, except they cannot accept employment.
- Australia
Australia’s Global Talent Program offers GTI Visa to applicants who belong to either the Global Talent Stream or The Distinguished Talent Stream.
The former category applies to highly skilled professionals and Ph.D. holders from eleven fields like infrastructure, entertainment, education, energy, fintech, etc. On the other hand, the DTS category only qualifies for artists, athletes, academics, or researchers.
Key Benefits:
- Applicants can work and study in Australia.
- Permanently stay in Australia.
- Obtain Government benefits.
- Apply for Australian CItizenship.
- Sponsor eligible relatives for PR.
- France
The French Government offers a special visa called the Researcher-Talent Visa to specific applicants that are doctoral students, researchers, and professors-researchers.
Key Benefits:
- Travel without restrictions in the Schengen for the first 3 months.
- The spouse of the visa holder can accept employment.
- Family members of visa holders can obtain a multi-residence passport.
- New Zealand
The NZ country provides Talent visas to applicants whose skills are demanded by an employer accredited with New Zealand. The skills or distinction of the applicant should belong to the art, sport, or culture field.
Key Benefits:
- Applicants can apply for permanent residency in NZ after two years of employment.
- Stay in NZ or travel to NZ for up to 30 months.
- Owning a PR visa after two years of employment can allow application by Spouse or Children.
- UK
The UK government offers a Global Talent Visa to certain applicants under Arts, Entertainment, Medicine, Science, or Technology. However, applicants should not be residents of Switzerland or EEA.
Key Benefits:
- Work for an employer or as a director or be self-employed.
- Switch jobs without acknowledgement from the Home Office.
- Invite Family Members to the UK.
- Apply for multiple visa extensions (Each lasts up to five years)
- China
It has a Talen R Visa program offered to foreign nationals who have high skills or specialization in fields such as medicine, engineering, education. Applicants must not belong to native china or have no bloodline linked to China to apply for it.
Key Benefits:
- A Foreign Talent Program may receive a 1 million Yuan subsidy from the government.
- Foreign Nationals can obtain multiple entry-exit visas from 6 months up to 5 years.
- The applicant may apply for PR within two to five years of application.
- Applicant’s spouse or children over the age of 18 can apply for PR for Foreigners.
