UK mulls scrapping visa fees to attract global talent: Report

London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is considering a proposal to eliminate some visa fees for top global talent as part of efforts to enhance the UK’s appeal amid growing global competition for skilled professionals. According to the Financial Times, Starmer’s “global talent task force” is exploring measures aimed at attracting leading scientists, academics, and digital experts to the UK, with the goal of boosting economic growth.

One key proposal under discussion is the possibility of waiving visa costs entirely for individuals who have graduated from the world’s top five universities or have won prestigious international awards. This move is seen as a strategic effort to make the UK a more attractive destination for the brightest minds, particularly as the United States has adopted a tougher stance on immigration, recently announcing a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas, widely used by tech companies.

The potential reforms were under consideration even before the U.S. decision, but the move has further accelerated discussions within the UK government, with officials hopeful the changes will encourage talent to choose Britain over other competing nations.

Currently, Britain’s global talent visa costs £766 ($1,030) for the applicant, with similar fees for accompanying partners and children. The proposal to remove or significantly reduce these fees could make the UK a more competitive option for professionals seeking opportunities abroad.

Discussions are ongoing, and the UK’s Treasury and Downing Street have not yet commented on the developments. The government is expected to push for these changes ahead of the upcoming November 26 Budget.