The new Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) category will open on 9 August 2011. There is a limit of 1,000 places in the first year of operation. There will be 500 places available between the 9 August and 30 November and a further 500 places available from the 1 December to 31 March 2012. The number of places will be reviewed at the end of March 2012. Announcement has been made of the “competent bodies” entrusted with overseeing nomination of “exceptionally talented” migrants:
- the Royal Society, a fellowship of the world’s most eminent scientists, will be able to nominate up to 300 places;
- Arts Council England, the national development agency for the arts, will also be able to nominate up to 300 places;
- the Royal Academy of Engineering, Britain’s national academy for engineering, will have up to 200 places to nominate; and
- the British Academy, the national academy for the humanities and social sciences will be able to nominate up to 200 places.
