UK Lures Skilled Talent by Lowering Visa Fees — Is This an Answer to Trump’s H-1B Move?

• UK considers scrapping visa fees for top global talent.
• Proposal covers scientists, academics, and digital professionals.
• Current Global Talent Visa fee: £766 + health surcharge ~£1,035/year.
• 76% rise in Global Talent visas granted last year.
• Move seen as a direct response to Trump’s $100K H-1B fee proposal in the U.S.

Key Facts You Should Know

• The UK government is exploring waiving visa fees for individuals from elite universities or prestigious award winners, to make Britain a magnet for global talent.
• At present, applicants pay £766 in visa fees, plus a health surcharge of ~£1,035 annually.
• The Global Talent Visa is one of the UK’s fastest-growing categories, with approvals up 76% in the year ending June 2023.
• The proposal is widely viewed as a strategic move to counter the U.S., which recently proposed a $100,000 H-1B fee, making it harder for professionals abroad. 

Why This Matters for Indians?

• The UK is one of the most affordable destinations for highly skilled professionals.
• Lower barriers would benefit researchers, engineers, IT professionals, and academics from India.
• Signals a global “talent war” — the UK making itself more attractive while the U.S. tightens access. 

Your UK Career Path with Y-Axis

Y-Axis helps you take advantage of these changing policies:

• Global Talent Visa (UK) assessment & eligibility check.
• End-to-end visa filing & documentation support.
• Career counseling to find opportunities in UK tech, research, and academia.
• Guidance on permanent residency pathways post-visa.

Don’t wait for the competition to heat up — with Y-Axis, you can seize the UK advantage before it’s too late. Apply for the UK Global Talent Visa now!