On August 6, 2026, the government announced an expansion of the Global Talent visa, granting access to the program to over 100 companies, alongside the already approved universities and research institutes.
The R&D companies covered by the expansion fall into the eight high-growth sectors identified in the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, including advanced manufacturing, digital and technologies, clean energy, life sciences and the creative industries.
This latest expansion to the Global Talent visa UKRI Endorsed Funder pathway builds on the initial expansion in May to cover the remaining Association for Innovation, Research and Technology Organisation members (including IBM).
The full list of approved host research organizations, including the new businesses, is available here: UKRI list of approved research organizations – GOV.UK
Details of eligibility criteria can be found here: Work in the UK as a researcher or academic leader (Global Talent visa): UK Research and Innovation endorsement – GOV.UK
This expansion to the Global Talent visa follows a change made in April to simplify the visa’s fast-track academic appointments route to cover all roles at approved UK institutions in academic, research or innovation leadership and development, and all PhD-level roles performing research and innovation as a primary function.
The government is also preparing to broaden the Future Technology Research and Innovation (FTRI) scheme. This is a UKRI-run scheme under the Government Authorised Exchange visa route that enables eligible UK companies, working on critical technologies, to host international researchers, scientists, interns and technical specialists for research, training and work placements of up to two years.
The forthcoming expansion will open FTRI to a wider range of R&D-focused businesses, giving more companies in priority technology sectors, such as AI, quantum and engineering biology, access to the scheme.
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.