Global talent visas are open for talented and promising architects who wish to work in the UK. To be recognised as a 'global leading architect', you must obtain an endorsement from the Royal Institute of Architects (RIVA). If your visa is granted, you can work in the UK with a visa of 3 or 5 years, and apply for settlement after 5 years.

There is no cap on the number of applicants per year, and to be endorsed the Royal Institute of Architects (RIVA), you need to be professionally engaged as an architect producing work of outstanding quality which has been published, presented or exhibited internationally.

You must have been a professional architect for the past 5 years, have media awareness in one or more countries, and have award-winning or publication or exhibition-related evidence.

You need to be able to prove the awareness that is relevant to your work in architecture. At least two recent examples of significant international media recognition in at least two countries are required, one of which must be evidence from the country of residence. The media recognition may include online or in print publications, broadcasts, or international periodicals or journals, articles and reviews.

Applicants must be able to provide evidence in the last five years that they have been nominated for at least one international award or an award in their home country in recognition of excellence in architecture. Recognised awards include the Aga Khan Architecture Award, the RIVA International Prize, the Pritzker Prize, the Venice Architectural Biennale Award, the World Architecture Festival Award, the RIVA Silver or the Bronze medal (International Student Award), and the AIA Young Architects Awards.

To apply for the global talent category, the applicant can provide the RIBA with proof of having work published or exhibited in contexts which are recognised as internationally significant in the field of architecture.

Examples of internationally recognised publications or exhibitions in the field of architecture include papers published by recognised international publishers, photographs, international exhibitions such as Venice Architecture Biennale and World Architecture Festival, and exhibitions at festivals. Curated architectural exhibitions such as the RIBA Gallery and the Canadian Architecture Centre are also included.

Three letters of recommendation must be supported to apply endorsement from RIBA. It must be received from the organisations, institution or company which is well-established nationally or internationally and widely acknowledged as possessing expertise in the architecture field.

The recommender must receive from a senior member or expertise who is familiar with the applicant's performance or work, and the referee must be able to provide a detailed description of the applicant's achievements in the field of architecture.

You must apply for a visa within three months after being endorsed by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

In addition to the endorsement letter, the Home Office will assess your character and immigration history to ensure that you do not fall under the general grounds for refusal.

In order to make application within the UK, your leave should be in the category to switch to global talented visa. However, you do not have to go back to your home country to submit your application, because the application can be made from anywhere in the world.