More than 100 research-focused companies in the UK, including AstraZeneca and Jaguar Land Rover, will be able to support international scientists and engineers seeking to live and work in Britain under an expanded Global Talent visa scheme.
The government announced the change on Thursday, saying commercial research companies would for the first time be able to host researchers working on funded projects through the visa’s endorsed funder pathway. The route was previously available mainly to universities, academic institutions and independent research organisations.
The government said the pathway has already helped more than 12,500 people from over 130 countries develop research careers in the UK.
The newly approved organisations include major companies such as AstraZeneca, alongside smaller and growing businesses including Added Value Solutions, Denroy Plastics and Ffilm Cymru. The companies operate across sectors identified as priorities under the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, including advanced manufacturing, digital technology, clean energy, life sciences and creative industries.
Researchers whose work is recognised through a research grant will also be able to move to another approved company or establish a spin-out business under the scheme.
Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, said the expansion would help innovative companies recruit researchers capable of developing new medicines and technologies while supporting skilled employment and economic growth.
Professor Christopher Smith, UKRI’s International, Talent and Skills Champion, said the change would extend the benefits of international recruitment across more regions and industries.
The expansion follows changes made earlier this year. In May, the government extended the pathway to remaining members of the Association for Innovation, Research and Technology Organisations, including IBM. An April reform also simplified the fast-track route for academic appointments.
The government is preparing further changes to the Future Technology Research and Innovation scheme, which allows eligible companies working on critical technologies to host international researchers, interns and technical specialists for placements of up to two years. The planned expansion will make the programme available to more research and development businesses working in areas including quantum technology and engineering biology.
The government said its £54 million Global Talent Fund has so far brought 18 research group leaders to Britain, while the Global Talent Taskforce provides support to attract international specialists.
Oliver Buckley-Mellor of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry described the Global Talent visa as one of the world’s most competitive routes for skilled researchers and welcomed the expansion.
The move comes as the UK seeks to strengthen its position as a destination for international scientific talent. The pharmaceutical industry has raised concerns over declining foreign investment in British life sciences, with investment reported at £795 million in 2023, 58% below its 2017 level.
Steve Brierley, chief executive of Cambridge-based quantum computing company Riverlane, said the visa offered companies a fast and flexible way to recruit specialist workers in rapidly developing fields.
