Government of the United Kingdom appears to be inviting global tech experts that would turn away from the $100,000 dollar professional visa fees imposed by the United States to come to Britain instead where they would be allowed to walk in with zero visa fees.

Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, is reported on Monday to be considering abolishing visa fees for top global science and business talent in a bid to woo the world’s best to Britain.

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The Prime Minister’s office  and the Treasury are reportedly looking at whether to cut the cost of coming to the UK for top scientists, academics and digital experts as they seek ways to stimulate economic growth.

Despite being aimed at a small group of top talent, the idea of making it easier for people to come to Britain may prove controversial as the government seeks to bring net immigration down to manageable levels.

The plan comes at a time President Donald Trump of the United States makes it harder for top-level foreign workers to enter the American country. The Trump administration said on Friday it would ask companies to pay $100,000 per year for new H-1B worker visas.

The change could deal a big blow to the technology sector that relies heavily on skilled workers from India and China.

The UK was already considering changes before the Trump announcement, but one official told local news sources it had ‘put wind in the sales’ of the plan.

‘We’re talking about the sort of people who have attended the world’s top five universities or have won prestigious prizes. We’re kicking around the idea of cutting costs to zero,’ they added.

‘This isn’t about diluting our determination to bring down net migration but it’s about getting the brightest and best into Britain.’

The move is being led by the government’s global talent taskforce, co-chaired by Science, research and Innovation Minister Lord Vallance.

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘Our global talent routes attract and retain high-skilled talent, particularly in science, research and technology, to maintain the UK’s status as a leading international hub for emerging talent and innovation.’

Since taking office in January, Trump has kicked off a wide-ranging immigration crackdown in the US, including moves to limit some forms of legal immigration.

The step to reshape the H-1B visa program represents his administration’s most high-profile effort yet to rework temporary employment visas. Critics of the H-1B program, including many US technology workers, argue that it allows firms to suppress wages and sideline Americans who could do the jobs.

Supporters, including Tesla and X owner, and former Trump ally Elon Musk, say it brings in highly skilled workers essential to filling talent gaps and keeping firms competitive. Musk, himself a naturalized US citizen born in South Africa, has held an H-1B visa.

At the same time, Nigel Farage has said Reform UK would end the right of migrants to apply for permanent residency in the UK after five years, and force those who already have settled status to reapply for a new stricter visa.

The Reform UK leader wants to abolish indefinite leave to remain (ILR), for which migrants can currently apply after five years, and force them to renew their visa every five years. Applicants would have to meet certain criteria, including a higher salary threshold and better standard of English.

They would have to have lived in the UK for seven years, up from five, and there would be tighter restrictions on bringing spouses and children to the UK. The new visa would also prevent any access to benefits under the plans set out by Zia Yusuf