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Hi,
I am an international PhD student in my third year preparing to start my write-up. My tuition fees have been covered by a scholarship from a university in my home country.
Recently, I applied for a Research Associate position in UK and was accepted. However, I have been asked to switch to a Global Talent Visa to work full-time as the research is funded by UKRI. As part of the application process for stage 2, I reviewed the required documents, and everything was going smoothly until I encountered a question asking whether I had been sponsored by a government or international scholarship agency within the last 12 months.
Although my scholarship was from a university and not directly from a government or international agency, I had to answer "yes." As a result, the application now requires me to provide written, unconditional consent from my sponsor allowing me to remain in the UK. Unfortunately, my sponsor will not issue such consent.
I would greatly appreciate any advice or guidance on how to navigate this situation.

ARSA wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 11, 2025 12:38 pm

Unfortunately, my sponsor will not issue such consent.
I would greatly appreciate any advice or guidance on how to navigate this situation.

If they don't provide that letter of consent, then you cannot apply for a GTV. And likely you won't be able to apply for any other work visa in the UK in the near future.

You need to check the details of the scholarship agreement, contract, etc. Usually these have a condition requiring the student to return to the country/university that sponsors them, and/or specifically restricting to work in the host country.

If your sponsor cannot provide that letter, it's almost certain that this condition applies to you.