Last May, UK Government published their Immigration White Paper, setting out their plans to change the UK’s immigration system. Alongside a series of other strategies, notably the Life Sciences Sector Plan, this had significant implications for the UK’s ability to attract international research talent.

Over the last year, Cancer Research UK (CRUK) have been working with the UK Government to advise on how to attract the talent we need for research.

Building on insights from across our research community, we have demonstrated the impact costs are having on the UK’s ability to attract international talent and on researchers themselves. Through this, we helped shape proposed reforms to the Global Talent visa (GTV), encouraged increased support for research organisations seeking to attract talented cancer researchers from around the world, and engaged with teams across Government to drive the change UK cancer research needs.

In the summer, we published an updated analysis of the impact of UK immigration policy on cancer research. This has helped demonstrate the challenges faced by the UK R&D ecosystem to access the talent needed for research.

And we’re seeing results. Since the Government was elected in 2024, the importance of attracting international talent for research has been increasingly recognised. Building on the Industrial Strategy’s recognition of the importance of international talent, Government has launched a Global Talent Fund, launched and then doubled the resources of the Global Talent Taskforce and promised widening of the Global Talent visa. We have played a significant role in influencing this shift, with our evidence and advocacy making CRUK one of the key voices on this issue. 

But we know there is much more to do. In context of a broader tightening of the immigration system, Government risks undermining these positive steps – lacking the scale of intervention required to meet the moment, failing to tackle visa and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs that are higher than internationally comparable nations, and contradicting positive interventions with unwelcoming rhetoric.

Notably, if the needs of researchers are not prioritised, the impact on the UK’s attractiveness will far outweigh steps Government has taken to support recruitment.

By the end of this Parliament, we’re calling on the Home Office to reduce overall and upfront immigration costs for researchers, and allow staggered payment, so they are competitive with comparable leading research nations.

Below, we reflect on the potential impact of some of the policy changes proposed and what we’re doing about it.

Changes to settlement

At the moment, settlement, or ‘indefinite leave to remain’, can be earned after someone has spent 5 years on a visa in the UK, or 3 if they are on a Global Talent visa (GTV). After an individual secures settlement, their dependents can apply.

The UK Government have now set out their full proposals for reform to this system. They intend to increase the baseline period to qualify for settlement to 10 years, with some factors reducing and others increasing this period. In their proposals they intend to retain the 3-year qualification period for GTV holders, but will lengthen periods for Skilled Worker visa holders, another route used by many researchers, and will raise criteria for dependents. They propose for these changes to affect those already in the UK on a route to settlement. These proposals are subject to consultation.

We know that the announcement of these proposals has been a major cause of concern for our researchers, with the outcome having a major impact on their lives. Settlement conditions can also change how researchers view the attractiveness of working in the UK, and so our ability to conduct lifesaving research. It has been positive to see that Government intends to retain the faster route for GTV holders.

We are currently gathering evidence from our research community on the potential impacts of these proposals, to respond to the consultation in February. We will be emphasising the importance of retaining 3- and 5-year routes for researchers, minimising gaps in qualification times between researchers and their dependents and strongly emphasise that those already on paths to settlement should not have their times extended.

Widening access to the Global Talent visa

Government have committed to increasing use of the Global Talent visa route, including by expanding eligibility. We see this as a positive – this route carries benefits to researchers and research organisations including slightly lower cost and faster route to settlement. The Government is keen to use this route to attract top talent to the UK – and, based on the insights and evidence we have gained from our research community, we have advised them on how they can maximise its potential, emphasising the importance of attracting international talent.

But we also consistently make the point that it is not clear enough who is eligible for the Global Talent route, and so the Skilled Worker visa is still an essential route for many researchers. With the worsening conditions of the Skilled Worker visa, it’s becoming increasingly important Government make more support available for research organisations to access the GTV for all roles in research.

Global Talent Taskforce and Global Talent Fund

The launch of the Global Talent Taskforce last Summer was a welcome recognition from Government of the importance of attracting the talent in our key industries, including life sciences. By taking a cross-Government approach, we are in a better place to ensure that the needs of cancer research are considered when making decision. Government also announced a £54 million Global Talend Fund, seeking to attract leading researchers and their teams.

At CRUK, we are engaging closely with the Taskforce and welcomed the recent announcement that the Taskforce’s budget will be doubled. In our engagement, we have emphasised that talent is needed at all career stages and in all roles in lab, not just an elite few, and future strategies must reflect this.

Costs remain relatively stable

At CRUK, we have consistently highlighted that high UK visa costs – and in particular the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) – are making the UK less attractive to international research talent. As set out in our analysis published in Summer 2025 (and our previous analysis published in 2024), these escalating costs continue to pose a significant barrier: with £870,000 spent on visas at CRUK Institutes in 2024-25 and the upfront cost for a family of 4 on a 5-year Global Talent visa at £21,174. Neither the Immigration White Paper nor subsequent Government announcements have materially changed this picture.  

While the Government’s statement in Davos on January 20th, indicating that it will reimburse visa fees for some individuals, demonstrates an important recognition that cost matters. However, the scope and scale of this commitment remain unclear. This will not reimburse the health surcharge, which is the biggest contributor to the upfront cost. Research organisations like our institutes go to lengths to help researchers cover these upfront costs – like providing credit cards and loans – but leading talent have rejected CRUK positions because they simply can’t afford it. 

While not resolving the issue, staggering these costs would minimise upfront barrier.  

What we need from the UK Government 

We will continue to engage with government to ensure that policies support, rather than hinder, the UK’s ability to attract and retain world‑class scientific talent. 

We’re calling on government to: 

• Reduce upfront immigration costs
  By the end of this parliament, the Home Office should reduce overall and upfront immigration costs for researchers, and allow staggered payment so they are competitive with comparable leading research nations.  

• Improve rhetoric
  The Home Office, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, HM Treasury, Department for Business and Trade, and UK Research and Innovation must work together to develop aligned messaging to ensure that the UK remains an attractive and welcoming destination for international talent. 

• Ensure faster settlement for researchers is retained
  The Home Office should retain the benefits of the Global Talent visa, in particular, the 3-year route to settlement, and the impact on UK attractiveness of lengthening of indefinite leave to remain for dependents of Global Talent visa holders should be considered and mitigated.  

• Support access to the Global Talent visa
  The Home Office and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology should work with UK Research and Innovation to take a comprehensive, UK-wide approach to improve access to the Global Talent visa, with improved centralised guidance on applications and eligibility, promotion of the route to research organisations, and international campaigns to use the route to attract talent.