An expansion of the Global Talent visa, announced on Thursday 6 August 2026, will enable over 100 of the UK’s most innovative companies to support international scientists and engineers to live and work in the UK. This move is intended to unlock a wave of international talent.
For the first time, UK research-intensive businesses can support exceptional researchers coming to the UK for funded projects. This includes global names such as AstraZeneca and Jaguar Land Rover, as well as fast-growing innovators like Added Value Solutions (AVS), Denroy Plastics, and Ffilm Cymru.
Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, stated that the expansion makes it easier for innovative companies to recruit eligible researchers who will develop future medicines, technologies, and industries in the UK. Professor Christopher Smith, UKRI International, Talent and Skills Champion, added that the visa plays an important role in advancing knowledge, improving lives, and driving growth across various sectors.
The R&D companies covered by this expansion operate in eight high-growth sectors identified in the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, including advanced manufacturing, digital and technologies, clean energy, life sciences, and the creative industries.