The UK government is weighing a plan to scrap visa fees for global top talent seeking to live and work in the country. Right now, top minds from overseas must pay hundreds of pounds in application and health surcharge fees just to work and live in the UK. Visa charges for the country’s coveted Global Talent Visa, can run to over £766 for a single applicant plus a hefty annual health surcharge, represent a significant barrier for those considering a move to the UK. Industry groups and academic voices have long argued that excessive fees drive away star talent, hurting UK research, innovation, and start-ups struggling for staff. Days ago, the United States, usually the first stop for ambitious global talent introduced a shock price hike on its prestigious H-1B work visa, raising fees to a whopping $100,000 for new applicants.