PVLF 2025

India introduces G20 talent visa to attract global scholars

G20 Talent Visa boosts India's global academic presence, inviting top scholars for research, fellowships, and innovation, fostering collaboration and progress.
on Dec 19, 2024

Strengthening India's global presence through academia and technological advancements, the Ministry of Home Affairs has cleared launching the G20 Talent Visa. With this new endeavour, high-level scholars and researchers of G20 nations will come to India in order to participate in academized projects, researches following post-doctoral fellows, fellowships, as well as some specialized trainings. These visas belong to the student visa sub-category S-5 with the aim to promote crossborder collaboration and innovative work in the country.

The University Grants Commission has been entrusted with the dissemination of information about the G20 Talent Visa to all the higher education institutions in India. An official statement has asserted that this visa is a very good opportunity for academics and researchers to display their innovations and enrich the Indian educational ecosystem.

This goes along with Vision 2024.

This move falls in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, in his speech at the G20 Summit in September, proposed to attract talent from across the world and make India a hub for science and technology. PM Modi said, "We can create a 'G20 Talent Visa' as a special category, which will allow top talent in science and technology to explore global opportunities and significantly contribute to our economies.

Key Highlights of the G20 Talent Visa

The visa is designed exclusively for scientists, researchers, faculty members, and scholars from G20 countries. They will be able to pursue various academic and scientific activities in India, including training programs, research projects, and fellowships. The Ministry of Home Affairs will oversee the approval process to ensure that applicants meet the required criteria.

Global Inspiration for India's Initiative

India's G20 Talent Visa draws inspiration from other global programs that aim to attract exceptional talent.

UK's Global Talent Visa: It targets individuals who are outstanding in their fields,

including science, humanities, and digital technology. Applicants must be endorsed by recognized bodies such as the Royal Society. The visa offers free work opportunities and a route to permanent residency after three years.

Australia's Global Talent Visa targets professional, technologically proficient candidates and mandates endorsement by an Australian organization; it is a pathway to residency.

The United States' O-1 Visa, for Non-Immigration Visa to be issued with an Individual, has two main groups- arts and sciences with various other departments. Exceptional talent shall be showcased as the grounds for their admission.

Incentives of Global Interoperability

With the G20 Talent Visa, India will be working on becoming a hub for academia and science exchange. The process is going to not only elevate the research and innovation skills of India but will also present a global forum for dialogue and collaboration while consolidating India's position of fostering tolerance, coexistence, and progress.