Thanks so much to everyone here. I recently got my Exceptional Promise endorsement and am about to apply for Stage 2. A lot of the rules were pretty unclear, but this community really helped me navigate the process and I’m super grateful.
I wanted to start a new topic since this is kind of a separate question. Has anyone gone through the Global Talent visa extension? What’s your experience? Is there a chance it could get rejected?
I’m aiming for ILR in the long run, but since this is my first time in the UK, I want to start with a 3-year visa at Stage 2. Then maybe extend for another 2-3 years later to meet ILR requirements.
Has anyone done something similar? Any insights or things to watch out for? Thanks in advance!
The Global Talent visa can be extended, and it’s typically straightforward if you meet the two core UKVI requirements:
Valid endorsement that hasn’t been withdrawn.
You’ve earned income in your field of expertise while in the UK.
It doesn’t matter who you worked for (employed, self-employed, contractor) — as long as the work relates to your endorsed tech area.
Extension process is simpler than the endorsement stage — you don’t need a new endorsement unless your original one has expired or been withdrawn. Your 3+2 year plan toward ILR is valid. Many do 3 years first, then extend by 2 (or more) to meet the 5-year continuous residency requirement for ILR.
Ensure to check for: Gaps in employment that may suggest you weren’t active in your field. Switching to non-tech roles, which may not qualify as “expert field” activity.
As long as you stay in the tech track and document your income (invoices, payslips, contracts), extensions are typically smooth.
Thanks so much! This is the most detailed explanation I’ve seen on the forum. Really appreciate it!
I have one quick follow-up question. You mentioned that what matters is whether the work relates to the endorsed tech area. Suppose someone applied under the gaming industry as their area of expertise. If they later moved to the UK and switched to working in fintech, still a tech role, but in a different domain, would that still be considered related to the endorsed area?