Keir Starmer is considering scrapping visa fees for elite scientists, software developers and academics in an effort to draw global talent to the UK as the United States tightens its immigration rules.
The Prime Minister’s global talent taskforce is exploring the proposal ahead of November’s Budget, viewing it as a way to boost economic growth.
The plan has gained momentum after Donald Trump imposed a $100,000 (£74,000) annual fee on H1-B visas, widely used by US tech firms and specialist sectors to recruit overseas workers.
Downing Street sources said the policy could apply to individuals with top global credentials, such as graduates of the world’s leading universities or winners of prestigious prizes.
“We’re kicking around the idea of cutting costs to zero,” one official said, while another described the current visa process as a “bureaucratic nightmare.”
The taskforce, led by Starmer’s business adviser Varun Chandra and science minister Lord Vallance, is also reviewing ways to simplify applications.
Officials stressed the move would not dilute efforts to reduce overall migration but would focus on attracting the brightest and best.
Past attempts to create a magnet for global talent have had limited success. Boris Johnson’s 2019 pledge to overhaul the visa system instead coincided with looser rules for lower-skilled workers and a record rise in migration.
A later scheme to attract top scientists struggled to gain applicants.
The US, meanwhile, is narrowing eligibility for its H1-B programme, sparking criticism from companies such as Google, Amazon and Microsoft, which argue it is vital to recruit software developers and AI specialists.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk credited the scheme for his own entry into America and vowed to fight any move to restrict it further.
Trump administration officials defend the changes as a way to prioritise American workers.
US Commerce Secretary,Howard Lutnick said last week: “Either the person is very valuable to the company and America, or they are going to depart and the company is going to hire an American. That’s the point of immigration. Stop the nonsense.”
