He took the opportunity to 'roll out the red carpet' for foreign talents with a visa fee of 0.

The UK government is considering scrapping some visa fees to attract global talent amid strong moves in the opposite direction from the US.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer - Photo: REUTERS

According to the Financial Times on September 22, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's "Global Talent Task Force" is studying ideas to attract the world's leading scientists, scholars and digital experts to the UK to boost economic growth.

One option being considered is to abolish visa fees for senior professionals who have studied at the world's top five universities or have won prestigious awards.

“We are considering the idea of ​​cutting the fee to zero,” an official familiar with the discussion said.

The discussions at the UK Prime Minister's Office and the Treasury took place before US President Donald Trump announced that he would increase the application fee for H-1B visas to $100,000. The new regulation has worried many large US technology corporations, because they use a lot of foreign talent coming to the US through this type of visa.

One person involved in the discussions in the UK said President Trump's decision had "given further momentum" to those wanting to reform the UK's premium visa system.

Government officials said the idea of ​​cutting visa costs had not yet been actively discussed at the Home Office, which has jurisdiction over immigration numbers.

Another UK official said the current global talent visa system was a “bureaucratic nightmare”, adding that they were looking at how to give people the clearest and most accurate view of the visa application process.

“This is not to reduce our determination to cut net migration, but to attract the best and brightest to the UK. The government is united on this,” he said.

The Global Talent Visa was introduced in 2020 and costs £766 to apply. Spouses and accompanying children also pay a fee. There is also an annual health surcharge of £1,035 per person.

This visa is for individuals with outstanding achievements in science, engineering, humanities, medicine, digital technology, arts and culture. The Home Office says successful applicants are “at the top or have the potential to become a leader in their field”, as confirmed by a certifying body.

In the financial year ending June 2023, the number of Global Talent visas issued increased by 76% to 3,901 cases, according to the Financial Times .

DUY LINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/anh-tranh-thu-trai-tham-do-voi-cac-nhan-tai-nuoc-ngoai-voi-muc-phi-visa-bang-0-20250922202145149.htm