British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is considering a proposal to abolish some visa fees for top global talent, the Financial Times reported on Monday.
The plan, still under discussion, is being developed by Starmer’s “global talent task force” as part of efforts to attract leading scientists, academics, and digital experts to the United Kingdom. According to the report, the proposal is aimed at boosting economic growth by making Britain more competitive in the race for international talent.
Officials familiar with the discussions said the idea includes waiving visa fees entirely for applicants who have attended the world’s top five universities or who have received prestigious international prizes. The details are being reviewed by both Number 10 and the Treasury.
Talks about reforming Britain’s high-end visa system began before the United States announced a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas, widely used by technology companies to hire skilled foreign workers. That decision, made by the Trump administration and effective from Sunday, has since given greater momentum to UK policymakers considering changes.
“The U.S. move has put wind in the sails of those arguing for Britain to improve its offer to global talent,” one person involved in the UK discussions told the Financial Times.
Currently, applicants for the UK’s global talent visa pay £766 ($1,030). The same fee applies to partners and children, making the process costly for families seeking to move to Britain. The proposed reforms would remove this cost for select top-tier candidates, with the goal of encouraging more world-leading professionals to settle in the country.
The timing of the discussions is also significant. Supporters of the reform are pushing for measures to be included in policy announcements ahead of the UK’s November 26 Budget, which will outline economic priorities for the year.
The Treasury and Downing Street have not yet issued an official response to requests for comment.
