u/thelizardman269

I have a fairly specific situation, but I’m hoping someone here has dealt with something similar.

I’m a PhD student in cell biology/neurobiology and am about to submit my thesis. My university does not have a traditional thesis defense. Instead, the thesis is sent to two external experts for review, who can either accept it or request revisions (full process takes 3-6 months). Once I submit, my faculty can provide an official document confirming that I have completed all of my PhD requirements and am only awaiting thesis review, but the PhD itself will not yet be formally awarded. I have multiple first author publication in Q1 Journals and am not expecting any problems with getting the thesis passed.

I’ve been awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from my PhD university that covers part of the postdoc salary, but the fellowship must be paid directly into my bank account in my home country. A UK PI has agreed to host me for the postdoc and provide a small salary top-up from his lab funds (0.1 FTE) so that my overall funding reaches a normal postdoc salary.

The issue is the visa. The UK university’s HR department told us that a visiting researcher/academic route would only work if I receive no salary from the UK host institution. They suggested the Global Talent visa because it would allow me to work without the same salary or working-hour restrictions.

However, the route I appear to qualify for is Global Talent Exceptional Promise via peer review, and the Royal Society guidance seems to require that the PhD has already been formally awarded.

Has anyone successfully applied in a similar situation using an official thesis-submission/completion certificate before the degree was formally awarded? Alternatively, is there another UK visa route that might allow someone to receive an external fellowship plus a small 0.1 FTE salary from the host university?

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has dealt with a similar fellowship/visa arrangement.

Thanks yall :)