Tier 1 (Exceptional talent)
Applying from outside the UK
This page explains how you can apply from abroad for a visa to enter the UK under Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) of the points-based system.
You must obtain a Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) visa before you travel to the UK.
When you apply, you must submit documents to support your application. You can find details of these documents on the Documents page.
Depending on the country where you live, you may need to make your application online or using application form VAF9. To find out which method you should use, see 'More information' below.
You can download application form VAF9 and the guidance notes from the right side of this page.
If you apply in person by appointment at a visa application centre, and your unique reference number expires before the date of your appointment, you should request a new unique reference number before the date of your appointment.
If you apply online, you must submit your online application before your unique reference number expires. You must then attend a visa application centre - you should do this as soon as possible, but the date when you attend the centre can fall outside the unique reference number's 10-day validity period.
As part of your application, you will need to enrol your fingerprints and facial image (known as 'biometric information') at a visa application centre.
Select your country in our country finder to find out:
- how to apply in your country (including how to apply online);
- the location of our visa application centres;
- how long we generally take to process visa applications; and
- how your documents will be returned to you.
If your application is successful, you can find information about what will happen at the border (including customs requirements) in the Customs and travel information section.
More information
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Should you apply online or complete an application form on paper?
If you are applying for a visa from the following countries, you should apply using our online application system, Visa4UK:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Angola
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burma
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Cape Verde
- Cayman Islands
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Congo
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- East Timor
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Faroes
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Ivory Coast
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Macedonia
- Madagascar
- Malaysia
- Mali
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Montserrat
- Morocco
- Nauru
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palestinian Authority
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russian Federation
- Rwanda
- Samoa and Western Samoa
- San Marino
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Vincent and Grenadine
- St Lucia
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Taiwan
- Tajikstan
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turks and Caicos
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- UAE
- USA
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Western Sahara
- Zambia
If you are applying for a visa from the following countries, you should apply by printing out an application form and completing it by hand:
- Cuba
- Malawi
- North Korea
- Turkmenistan
- Zimbabwe
If you are applying for a visa from the following countries, you can choose whether to apply using our online application system or by printing off the application form and completing it by hand:
- Bangladesh
- Maldives
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Sri Lanka
Application forms
VAF9 application form
- VAF9 application form - points-based system PDF 56KB opens in a new window
- VAF9 Appendix: Tier 1 (Exceptional talent)PDF 35KB opens in a new window
- VAF9 guidance notes PDF 79KB opens in a new window
Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) policy guidance
- Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) policy guidance PDF 420KB opens in a new window