December 1, 2020
Officially known as a “Global Talent Visa”, the Tech Nation Visa permits the smartest and finest tech talents worldwide to come to the UK and work in the digital technology industry. Tech Nation is an officially designated body endorsed by the Home Office to assess applications from those persons who have expertise in digital tech and want to come to the UK.
What is the eligibility criteria for Global Talent Visa applicant?
Tech Nation is designed for people with technical skills and business skills within the digital technology industry.
Technical Applicants
Must be able to demonstrate proven technical prowess and knowledge of the latest technologies in “building, using, deploying or exploiting a technology stack and building infrastructure.”
Business Applicants
Need to show demonstrable “commercial, investment, or product expertise in building digital products or leading investments in significant digital product businesses”.
Applicants under each criteria will need to show either “exceptional talent” or “exceptional promise”. They must meet one of the key criteria and two of the qualifying exceptional talent criteria as shown below.
Alternatively, applicants can determine their eligibility by meeting one of the key criteria of exceptional talent and two criteria from the exceptional promise table as shown below.
Exceptional Talent
If you are considering an application within this criteria then you must provide evidence you have been recognised as a leading talent in the digital tech industry, and prove two of the following:
Exceptional Promise
KEY CRITERIA | QUALIFYING CRITERIA |
Provide evidence of more than one example of innovation in the digital tech industry as a founder of a product-led digital tech company or an employee working in a new digital concept or field.
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You have made a significant technical, commercial, or entrepreneurial contribution to the digital tech industry as either a founder or employee of a product-led digital tech company. |
Provide evidence of recognition for work undertaken outside your immediate occupation that has contributed to the progression of the industry (e.g. proof that you have gone above and beyond your profession to engage in an enterprise that advances the industry)
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You have been recognised as having potential to become a leading talent in the digital tech industry. |
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You have continued with your learning and mastery of any new digital skills (continuing professional development) either commercial or technical throughout your career.
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You can give more than one example of exceptional capability in the field by making an academic contribution through research endorsed by a research supervisor or other suitably qualified expert.
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Fast-Track
If you can show evidence of acceptance onto an existing or future programme at any accepted UK accelerator at: Antler, Barclays Accelerator, BGV/Bethal Green Ventures, Collider, Creative Destruction Lab, Cylon, Entrepreneur First, Founders Academy, Founders Factory, Ignite, Microsoft for Startups, NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator, SETsquared Scale-Up Programme, Startupbootcamp, techstars London Accelerator, Wayra or Zinc then your application will be fast-tracked by Tech Nation.
The Application Process
If you have not previously been an applicant for Global Talent in this process or its predecessor, Tier 1 Exceptional Talent, there is a two-stage application process:
If your endorsement application is unsuccessful and you believe a mistake has been made, then you can ask the Home Office to request that Tech Nation review their decision. This is called an “Endorsement Review”. Alternatively, you can always make a fresh Stage 1 application under a different immigration route providing you meet the relevant criteria.
LONDON IMMIGRATION ADVISERS – Global Talent Visa
Mann’s Solutions is international immigration law firm with offices in London, Hong Kong and Moscow and has expertise in offering UK Visas and Immigration by Investment services to high net worth individuals. Our immigration advisers regulated by OISC.
For further information or to discuss your personal circumstances in a private consultation with our immigration advisers in London Office, please contact us at enquiries@manns-solutions.com or call +44 207 993 63 46.
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