Femke(32)

After my PhD in molecular biology at Leiden University I wanted to join a top institution. Cambridge was at the top of my list — the laboratory I wanted to work in is a world leader in my field. Before Brexit I could have simply applied and moved. Now a visa was needed.

The Global Talent visa was the perfect route for me. This visa is intended for exceptional talent in science, technology, arts or digital technology. For scientists you apply for endorsement from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). I had to demonstrate that I was a recognised leader in my field — publications, references from leading scientists and evidence of research grants. The endorsement was approved within three weeks.

The beauty of the Global Talent visa is the flexibility. You're not tied to an employer, you can switch jobs without a new visa, and you can apply for permanent residence after three years (instead of five years with other visas). The costs are £623 for the endorsement plus £623 for the visa itself. No Immigration Health Surcharge — that's a major advantage.

Cambridge is a special place to live. It's small compared to Leiden, but the concentration of brilliant people is overwhelming. My college organises weekly formal dinners, there are lectures by Nobel laureates and the library is breathtaking. Social life revolves around the colleges and the pubs — the Eagle, where Watson and Crick announced the structure of DNA, has become my local.

Practically speaking, settling in was straightforward. I registered with a GP, applied for an NI number and opened a bank account with Monzo (traditional banks want endless documents). Housing in Cambridge is expensive — I pay £1,200 for a one-bedroom flat — but my salary as a postdoc is internationally competitive. The university also offers relocation support, which helped enormously.

What I value most is the academic culture. In the Netherlands research sometimes felt like a solitary pursuit. Here there's a constant exchange of ideas, interdisciplinary collaboration and a culture of intellectual curiosity. I've published more in two years than in four years in Leiden. If you aspire to an academic career, the UK — despite Brexit — is still the place to be.