In the modern world, for people considering the possibility of moving abroad, the choice of methods is limited. Some countries have imposed bans on crossing national borders, while others have tightened visa requirements.
However, for a certain category, there remains an option for immigration to a foreign country. The talent visa not only allows one to legally stay abroad but also to count on permanent residence in the host country. Let's take a closer look at the features of this relocation program.
What Is a Talent Visa?
A talent visa is a type of immigration aimed at skilled professionals who have achievements in the fields of culture, digital technologies, science, and creative self-realization (such as artists, musicians, painters, photographers, and more). However, the program is also open to Russians who may not yet have significant achievements in these fields but possess the necessary potential.
Authorities of foreign states are ready to grant residence permits to those who can make a significant contribution to the development of the national economy and culture. The talent visa is issued to specialists in various fields of activity, including:
- sports;
- commerce;
- architecture;
- IT industry;
- and much more.
This type of entry permit for a foreign country often requires the applicant to have an employment relationship with a local employer. In some cases, a freelancer needs to confirm their income level. They are allowed to work as an employee, engage in freelance work, or start their own company in the foreign country.
After living abroad for 3 to 5 years, a specialist in the field of culture, science, or other areas of activity has the right to apply for permanent residence, and after some time, for citizenship.
Which Countries Issue Talent Visas?
Validity period: 4 years with the right to extend.
Processing cost: €225 (document issuance fee – €200 + stamp duty – €25).
Talent visa (Talentpassport) can be applied for:
- founders of business structures (must invest at least 300,000 euros in their own commercial project);
- candidates with at least 5 years of work experience or those holding a master's degree are considered);
- investors (capital investments will be required in intangible assets of 30,000 euros or acquire local company securities worth 10%);
- owners of innovative startups (the business project must be approved by government authorities));
- qualified employees (must have a diploma from a French university + annual income of at least 53,900 euros);
- high-skilled workers (French university diploma + employment contract of at least 1 year with a salary of no less than 4,400 euros).
- representatives of local companies (work experience – from 3 months + annual income of no less than 53,900 euros);
- workers of innovative enterprises (employment contract for at least 3 months + annual income of at least 53,900 euros).
- employees transferred within the company (contract with a branch of a commercial structure in France for a period of at least 3 months + salary not lower than 2,600 euros);
- representatives of the scientific community (the applicant must at least hold a master's degree);
- representatives of creative professions (monthly income level – not lower than 1049 euros);
- individuals who have achieved international recognition (applicants document special merits).
Validity period: 1 year.
Processing cost: 320 – 340 euros (including insurance arrangement, translation and notarization of documents, as well as the fee for diploma nostrification).
For the Talent Visa (Talenat), eligible candidates are: graduates with higher education obtained in other countries. Applicants are required to undergo the procedure of nostrification of their higher education document.
The application at the Qualification Agency is reviewed within 60 days.
Validity period: matches the validity period of the work permit (from 1 to 3 years).
Processing cost: 626 euros (fee for document processing).
Talent Visa (Special Individual Qualifications) is issued to: athletes, coaches with international recognition, artists, actors, musicians, as well as IT industry specialists.
Participation in the program is only possible if the relocant is employed by a Danish employer.
Validity period: from 5 to 10 years with the right to extend.
Processing cost: 850 – 950 euros.
The program is aimed at: owners of innovative startups, figures in art and culture, athletes, participants in scientific research, and specialists in the film and television industry.
In order to obtain a visa, business founders must have their project evaluated by an independent expert and receive confirmation from the authorities that the business idea is an innovative one. Other applicants are required to provide a document confirming their employment relationship with a local employer, as well as recommendation (approval) letters from relevant agencies (for example, athletes must request a document from the Main Sports Department).
Validity period: up to 2 years with the right of extension.
Processing cost: 2,361 euros.
Talent Visa (Top Talent Pass Scheme) is available to: graduates from prestigious universities and applicants with a high level of income. Among Russian universities, only Moscow State University (MSU) is recognized.
For wealthy relocants there is a minimum income of 298,200 euros per year.
Validity period: up to 2 years with the right of extension (but cannot exceed the term of the contract).
Processing cost: fee for document processing – 250 euros.
Talent Visa (Smart t) can be issued to: qualified specialists engaged in target industries (smart electronics, digital technologies, automotive engineering, biofuels, and biochemicals).
The applicant is required to confirm the existence of an employment relationship with a local employer and an income level of no less than 2,500 euros per month. Startup owners must confirm a minimum profit of 1,200 euros per month.
How to Compile a Portfolio for a Talent Visa
An essential requirement for applicants seeking a talent visa is to prove that that he or she is a "professional in his or her field". In fact, each relocation program has a unique set of conditions that highly qualified employees must meet. However, there are also standard requirements:
- high income level;
- executive position in a top-rated company;
- interest in the applicant from the press;
- authored monographs, scientific publications in journals and newspapers;
- awards in thematic contests and international competitions.
The achievements and accolades of a candidate applying for a talent visa must be known to the authorities of the host country. The more evidence that is gathered, the higher the chances of the application being approved by the consular office (immigration department). In addition to letters from employers, medals, and trophies, recommendation (endorsement) letters from relevant ministries will be required.
Speeches at briefings, forums, conferences, publishing author monographs in periodicals, and interviews on television significantly increase the chances of immigration.
It is recommended to start working on creating a portfolio as soon as the decision is made to move to the country on a talent visa.
What to do when there is a shortage of author content
There may be situations where a person has minimal evidence of media activity. How can this gap be filled? In this case, participation in scientific conferences and briefings, as well as publishing one's own articles for media platforms, should not be neglected. The sooner this work is done, the higher the likelihood that it will be considered when reviewing the application.
However, when there is a lack of authored monographs, it is not advisable to post scientific articles daily or with a frequency of 3-4 times a week. Such activity may raise suspicion with the consul (if possible, it is recommended to space out the publication of articles over time or to focus efforts on alternative evidence that confirms the applicant's expertise). The greater the reach and higher the rating of the media platform, the more likely it is that it will catch the attention of diplomatic representatives. Another important detail is that international publications have greater significance.
In particular, if he positions himself as an experienced manager with a proprietary brand promotion strategy, a formal review of marketing techniques (no matter how innovative they are) in some popular publication will clearly be insufficient. Even if the relocant possesses expert knowledge in several areas, he will need to choose one profile and demonstrate his experience specifically in that area.
Expert advice: how to obtain a talent visa
Often, relocators are unsure of how to increase their volume of authored media publications.
- The first option is to send “guest” articles and professional comments to specialized publications. However, this approach is labor-intensive, often ineffective, and time-consuming. Editors of top-ranking publications rarely focus on materials that come in a “flow” format. Remember, for your portfolio, you need articles published in popular media.
- The second option involves purchasing the right to place authored content in top-ranking publications. However, the cost of such services starts at 150,000 rubles.
- An alternative is to respond to media requests independently. This option is suitable for those not in a hurry to process their talent visa. News, business, and industry publications regularly seek the opinions of authoritative experts. A professional in their field can always find a topic they are well-versed in. In return for their service, the publication might agree to print the authored article.
For those not constrained by expenses, there is an option to order publications through companies that offer intermediary services. Pricing depends on the rating of the commercial structure and the complexity of the topic covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Consulates often do not issue talent visas when the candidate provides an incomplete set of materials in their portfolio (for example, missing author publications in the media).
Officials also refuse to issue an entry permit if they have doubts about the competence of the experts who signed the recommendation letters. If the applicant fails to convince the consul that their startup (business project) is promising in terms of benefiting the culture and economy of the country, the decision on the application will be negative.
Yes, certainly. When submitting documents, the applicant must prove that they possess expert knowledge in a specific area of professional activity. They have the right to demonstrate their competence with the available set of evidence.
In the UK, there is a special program for applicants who are applying for high awards and achievements.