Global Talent Visa
(Tech Nation Visa)
The Global Talent visa is aimed at the world's brightest and best. It does not require sponsorship by an employer, and can be used to start your own business.
You will need the support of an Endorsing Body. Tech Nation is the body for technology and most business activities.
Get in touch if you want to apply.
UK Global Talent Visa
Endorsing Bodies
Tech Nation
The Arts Council
The British Academy
The Royal Society
The Royal Academy of Engineering
UKRI
The support of an Endorsing body is essential if you want to obtain a Global Talent visa.
Usually we will get your endorsement before making the visa application, but sometimes that is not possible, such as when your existing visa is about to expire.
The Endorsing body we know best is Tech Nation. They cover not only technology but also business skills. Tech Nation endorses c60% of all successful Global Talent Visa applications. 30% of their endorsements are for business founders: for those that qualify, the Tech Nation Global Talent visa is usually a better option than an Innovator Visa, or even an Investor visa. Those that qualify also join an active Alumni network and benefit from an onboarding programme that helps launching in the UK.
Your references, and their credibility, are probably the most important element of your application for endorsement. At a recent Tech Nation presentation, one of their successful Alumni had been endorsed by the Prime Minister of Australia. Such stratospheric levels are not essential, but we work with clients to assess which of their contacts could be the strongest for endorsing the application.
For those starting their careers, we can show 'Exceptional Promise', rather than 'Exceptional Talent'.
Typically a Global Talent Visa will be granted for up to 5 years. You may become eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain within 3 years (Exceptional Talent) or 5 years (Exceptional Promise). If you are ineligible for ILR (for example because you spend a lot of time outside the UK), a Global Talent visa can be extended as many times as required.
Exceptional Promise
-
Typically less than 5 yrs experience, Postgraduate degree, and detailed plans as to how they will contribute to the UK tech sector
-
Must show you have been recognised as having the potential to be a leading talent in digital technology, and give evidence of 2 out of:
-
Innovation as the founder of a product led digital tech company or as an employee working on a new digital field or concept
-
Recognition for work beyond your occupation that contributes to the advancement of the field
-
Significant technical, commercial, or entrepreneurial contributions to the field as a founder or employee of a product-led digital technology company
-
Exceptional ability in the field by academic contributions through research endorsed by an expert.
Exceptional Talent
Typically >5years experience
60% of Applications take this route
-
Must show you have been recognised as a leading talent in digital technology, and give evidence of 2 out of:
-
Proven track record of innovation as the founder or senior executive of a product led digital tech company
-
Recognition for work beyond your occupation that contributes to the advancement of the field
-
Made significant technical, commercial, or entrepreneurial contributions to the field as a founder or senior executive, board member, or employee of a product-led digital technology company
-
Exceptional ability in the field by academic contributions through research published or endorsed by an expert.
Technical Stream
Open to Technical applicants working for non-technical organisations, or technical organisations.
You must demonstrate technical expertise with the latest technologies in building, using, deploying or exploiting a technology stack/building technical infrastructure.
Not open to: Consultancy or Systems Admin. This rules out almost all TCS/Infosys/Wipro etc experience, and also most Big 4 experience.
Business Stream
Open to non-technical applicants from technology businesses (if you are a non-technical applicant from a non-technical business, we will need to look at one of the other endorsing bodies). i.e. businesses that provide a proprietary digital technical service/product/platform/hardware as their primary revenue source. The creation of software, processing/storage of data, or the creation/application of technical computing hardware is often a central aspect of their business model.
You must demonstrate a proven commercial, investment, or product expertise in building digital products or leading investments in significant digital product businesses.
Not open to: General corporate managers (even of large teams). Junior investors/analysts (in the investment area we need to see a track record: only significant achievement, not significant promise is enough in this area). Or business skills in outsourcers etc (business skills should be in in-house work in product-led companies, or in nice agencies recognised as contributing to those industries).
Your Personal Statement
-
Maximum 1,000 words
-
Don't just duplicate CV, but do include career highlights
-
Make it a personal narrative of what you want to do in the UK, why the UK needs it (/ how the UK will benefit)
-
Show why your UK plans are viable
-
Show steps you have already taken
Putting your application Together
You must assemble:
1. Home Office Endorsement application form
2. Tech Nation application form
3. CV
4. Personal statement (maximum 1,000 words)
5. Three reference letters
6. Ten supporting documents
Reference letters
-
3 Letters:
- Maximum 3 sides
- On letterhead, typed, dated, addressed to Tech Nation, should include phone and email contact details
- From three different senior members of different established organisations in the digital technology sector
Referees should:
1. Be recognisable (accompany with CV or other proof of credentials); and
2. Willing to hold themselves out and say that they consider you to either be a world leader or a potential world leader. and
3. Specifically reference your contribution or potential contribution to the UK
4. Explain how they know you
5. Set out your achievements in the digital technology sector and how you are a leader/potential leader
6. Explain your plans for the future
10 Documents - use them well
-
Maximum three sides of A4! (Don't shrink to get more data onto a side)
-
Must directly correlate to the key and qualifying criteria being met
-
Each document must relate to a discrete project or talent but does not need to be one discreet document. Can be composite patchwork comprised of sections of multiple documents (eg employment contract, payslip & staff award).
-
These documents can include
- extra supporting letters on top of the mandatory 3 references, eg letters from clients/colleagues
- Patents
- Git-Hib / open source work
- Evidence of online or print media recognition.