Global Talent Visa for

Digital Technology

technation.io/visa
#WeAreTechNation
@TechNation
Contents Choose UK
the best place to be a digital
tech leader
Choose UK 3
What is the Tech Nation Visa? 4
75.5% employment rate
What are the eligibility criteria? 6
How to Apply 7
Tech Nation Visa in numbers 8
2.1m digital tech jobs
Testimonials 10
Other visa routes 11

220,000 UK tech companies

3rd for number of tech unicorns

after the US and China

£6.3bn Total venture capital

investment in UK tech in 2018

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What is the
Tech Nation Visa?
The Tech Nation Visa, officially known as the Global Talent Visa, enables the
brightest and best tech talent from around the world to come and work in
the UK’s digital technology sector, contributing their cutting-edge expertise,
creativity and innovation to maintaining the UK’s position at the forefront of
the global digital economy.
The Tech Nation Visa is for founders and employees with technical or
business backgrounds, including all tech sub-sectors like fintech, AI, cyber,
and games. The visa is valid for up to 5 years, enabling you to work, change
employers, or be self-employed, without the need for further authorisation.
The Tech Nation Visa can be extended to your immediate family members
and after the initial visa period you can either apply for an extension or
permanent settlement in the UK.
If you are a talented or promising individual and want to work in the UK’s
digital technology sector, the Tech Nation Visa is for you.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the Tech Nation Visa for?
The Tech Nation Visa (officially known as the Global Talent visa) welcomes talented or promising
individuals to join the UK’s digital technology sector.
How many visas are available?
The Global Talent visa does not have a limit or any other restriction on the number of visas available.
Do I need a job offer to apply?
You do not need a job offer in the UK in order to apply. You will be assessed solely on your skills,
expertise and how you intend to benefit the UK’s digital tech sector.
Am I eligible to apply?
There are two routes available to cater for different levels of experience.
Exceptional Talent: proven to be a recognised leader.
Exceptional Promise: proven to be an emerging leader.
What is the application process?
If you are an initial applicant for Global Talent (someone who has not previously held leave in this
category, or its predecessor Tier 1 Exceptional Talent) there are two applications stages:
Stage 1: Application for Endorsement – an endorsing body assesses your skills, abilities and
achievements, and advises the Home Office whether you can be endorsed. This stage takes up to 8
weeks to be processed. You must apply for endorsement on the Gov.uk website and then complete a
Tech Nation Visa application form for assessment. If you are successful in receiving endorsement from
Tech Nation, you can proceed to apply for the visa.
Stage 2: Application for Visa – Tech Nation is not involved in Stage 2. The Home Office consider
immigration aspects such as whether general ground for refusal apply and, if you are already in the UK,
whether you are able to switch into the category. This stage takes approximately 3 weeks.
Tech Nation is only involved with Stage 1 endorsement. If you are successfully endorsed, you must apply
for Stage 2 within three months on the Gov.uk website.
How long can I stay in the UK?
The Global Talent visa can be granted for up to 5 years. Applicants can choose during application how
many whole years of leave they wish to be granted.
Can I apply for settlement in the UK?
You may be eligible for Settlement under this visa route. The qualifying period depends on whether
your visa is granted under the criteria for either Exceptionall Talent (3 years) or Exceptional Promise
(5 years).
Can I bring my family with me to the UK?
Dependants are allowed to join you in the UK subject to requirements.
What are the costs?
Stage 1 - Endorsement Application: £456
Stage 2 - Visa application: £152
All dependents (Stage 2 only): £608
This does not include additional costs such as your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) enrolment fee and
NHS surcharge.
Where can I get more information?
You should read the official policy guidance and Tech Nation Visa guide prior to making an
application.
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What are the eligibility criteria?
Exceptional Talent
Key Criteria
(you must meet one of the following)
1. Have a proven track record of innovation in
the digital technology sector as a director or
founder of a product-led digital technology
company or an employee working in a new
digital field or concept that must be clearly
evidenced.
2. Proof of recognition for work outside your
immediate occupation that has contributed
to the advancement of the digital technology
sector. For example, evidence that you
have gone beyond your day to day job to
engage in an activity that contributes to the
advancement of the sector.
Exceptional Promise
Key Criteria
(you must meet one of the following)
1. Provide more than one example of
innovation in the digital technology sector as
a founder of a product-led digital technology
company or an employee working in a new
digital field or concept that must be clearly
evidenced.
2. Proof of recognition for work outside your
immediate occupation that has contributed
to the advancement of the digital technology
sector. For example, evidence that you
have gone beyond your day to day job to
engage in an activity that contributes to the
advancement of the sector.
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How to apply
Stage 1
Qualifying Criteria
(you must meet two of the following)
Applying for Endorsement
1. Have made significant technical,
commercial, or entrepreneurial contributions
as either a founder, entrepreneur or
employee of a product-led digital technology Review the Official Guidance and Tech Nation Visa Guide.
company.
2. Have been recognised as a leading talent Online Home Office Application for Endorsement form.
in the digital technology sector. Includes payment of fees.
3. Have undertaken continuous learning/
mastery of new digital skills (commercial or
Online Tech Nation Application for Endorsement form.
technical) throughout your career. Provide supporting evidence.
4. Have demonstrated exceptional ability in
the field by making academic contributions
through research published or otherwise Tech Nation assesses your application for endorsement
endorsed by a research supervisor or other within approximately 8 weeks
expert.
If you are endorsed, Tech Nation will In the event you are not endorsed,
notify the Home Office, who notify you you have 3 options
Qualifying Criteria
(you must meet two of the following)
1. Apply for a review: Tech Nation will
1. Have made significant technical, Stage 2 reconsider your application. The
commercial, or entrepreneurial contributions decision that follows this review is final.
as either a founder or entrepreneur or
employee of a product-led digital technology
company. 2. You can re-apply through the
same route again, which allows you
to add new evidence. You’ll have to
2. Have been recognised as having the
potential to be a leading talent in the digital You apply for a visa through pay the fee again.
technology sector. the Home Office
Tech Nation is NOT involved 3. You can apply for entry through
3. Have undertaken continuous learning / in this process.
another route
mastery of new digital skills (commercial or
technical) throughout your career.
You can find detailed guidance about how to apply in
4. Provide more than one example of
The Global Talent Visa Guide for Digital Technology:
exceptional ability in the field by making
academic contributions through research technation.io/visa/guide
endorsed by a research supervisor or other
expert.
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Tech Nation Visa in numbers
received

62%
between
April 2014
and
March

1500+
endorsement 2019
Global representation rate
of applicants to the
Tech Nation Visa
RUSSIA 6% 29%
between April 2014
applications
and March 2019
EMEA
Applicants type:
NIGERIA 8%
62% Employees

28% Entrepreneurs

2% 10% Other
CHINA
SOUTH
CANADA SOUTH
AFRICA
KOREA 2%
INDIA

29% Top skills of applicants

MEXICO
USA 18%
TRINIDAD
& TOBAGO

COLOMBIA VENEZUELA
25%
22% ECUADOR

BRAZIL
AUSTRALIA 3%
31%
Other
Software
Engineering

5%
NORTH CHILE 45% 6% 19%
AMERICA Marketing Business Dev

LATIN 10% 9%
AMERICA APAC Data obtained from Tech
Nation Visa applications
between April 2014 and
March 2019
Product Data
Science
Testimonials
Anurag Jain
Nationality: Indian
I genuinely believe that with it’s leadership in financial services, the UK is
best suited to lead disruption in this sector through FinTech. It is home to
not only the decision makers but also a large workforce with deep domain
knowledge in financial services. With my expertise and interest in FinTech, it
was a no brainer that I have to be in the UK.
It gives me the freedom and choice to work in the UK by taking on projects
that I am passionate about and have a keen interest in. In the past year, I
have already worked on three very diverse projects, including one with a
very early stage startup and one with a very large investment bank.
Lisa Gray
Nationality: Australian
I chose the UK because I believed it had one of the most diverse
communities in the world and with diversity comes the best creativity. I’d
also admired the work in media tech that had come out of the UK and
wanted to contribute to that.
The Tech Nation Visa has given me the flexibility to not only work with a
variety of leading businesses but also to realise my dream of setting up my
own company – enabling me to strengthen my global portfolio and bring
opportunities back to where I now call home – the UK!
Udi Nachmany
Nationality: Israeli
Coming from the buzzing Israeli tech scene some years ago, I was excited
at UK’s prospects as an emerging global tech hub and wanted to support
this journey. The Tech Nation Visa allowed me the flexibility to build a
portfolio of activities — full-time job, consulting, and pro bono mentoring —
and to maximise my personal impact with UK-based companies. Looking
forward, I believe that talent will become the number one constraint for UK
tech, and this visa serves as a great foundation.
Meet the Tech Nation Visa Ambassadors
Successful visa applicants are welcome to join the Tech Nation Visa Alumni Network. The
network is run by alumni members and overseen by our Ambassadors in partnership with
Tech Nation. If you have been approved for a visa and wish to join the network, or are
interested in becoming an Ambassador, please see the Tech Nation Visa website for more
information.
technation.io/visa/alumni
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Other visa routes
Startup visa
You can apply for this route if you want to set up a business in the UK. You do not need any funds
to invest in your business but must not have previously set up a business in the UK. Whilst the
majority of your time will be spent developing your business you can also take on other work
outside of this business to support yourself.
Innovator visa
You can apply for this route if are an experienced business person and want to set up or run a
business in the UK, however you will need a minimum of £50,000 funding available to invest in
the business. You must work entirely on developing your business and may not take on other
employment outside of this business.
Tier 1 (Investor) visa
You can apply for this route if you want to invest £2,000,000 or more in the UK. You must be able
to prove that the money belongs to either you or your spouse/partner. The funds must be held
in one or more regulated financial institution either in the UK or overseas. You must also have
opened a UK bank account.
Tier 2 (General) visa
You can apply for this route if you’ve been offered a skilled job in the UK. Your employer must
be a licensed sponsor. As part of the recruitment process, your sponsor checks that you can do
the job they’re hiring you for and if it qualifies you for a visa. They’ll assign you a certificate of
sponsorship to prove this.
Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) visa
You can apply for this route if your overseas employer has offered you a role in a UK branch of
the organisation. Your employer must be a licensed sponsor. Your sponsor checks that you can
do the job they’re hiring you for and if it qualifies you for a visa. They’ll assign you a certificate of
sponsorship to prove this.
You can find more information about all available visa routes here:
www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
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