Global Talent Visa
Global Talent: Tech Nation Visa
One way to obtain permission to work in the UK is through the Global Talent visa route. This is an
immigration category designed for talented, promising individuals with skills in specifically nominated
areas considered essential to the growth of the UK economy. It replaces the Tier 1 (Exceptional
Talent) visa, which was discontinued in February 2020 and applies to people with leadership
experience or potential in academia, research, arts and culture, or digital technology. Applicants must
be at least 18.
Applications for entry under the Global Talent visa must be endorsed by one of six bodies designated
by the UK Home Office. If the applicant’s field of expertise is digital technology, the relevant body is
Tech Nation, which describes itself as ‘the growth platform for tech companies and leaders. Since it
was founded in 2010, Tech Nation has built a reputation as a major force in developing the UK’s tech
industry.
There are two routes for obtaining a Global Talent visa for digital professionals, designed for different
levels of experience and expertise. We will explain the qualifying criteria for each route later on.
Exceptional Talent in Digital Technology covers anyone with proven credentials as a leader in the
tech industry.
Exceptional Promise in Digital Technology is suitable for applicants whose skills and career
progression thus far demonstrate their potential as emerging leaders in digital technology.
Under each heading, applicants are divided into two categories. The first group is technical
applicants. These are individuals who possess demonstrable expertise in the building, use or
deployment of a technology stack and the creation of technical infrastructure.
The second group is business applicants, where the emphasis is placed on the commercial aspects of
tech, such as skills in creating digital products or investment in businesses engaged in digital product
development.
A Global Talent visa is granted for a maximum of five years based on a single application, but the
applicant may apply for a shorter period of 1, 2, 3 or 4 years. When the visa expires, a renewal
application can be made, which will be granted provided that nothing material has changed in the
interim to disqualify them.
The Application Process – Step One
The first step is applying to the Home Office to endorse Tech Nation. Applicants must complete the
application form, which Tech Nation provides and submit it with the prescribed supporting evidence.
Assessment Criteria
Under the two heads of application – talent and promise – there are different criteria. In each case,
applicants must satisfy one mandatory requirement and two additional ones from a choice of four.
Exceptional Talent
The mandatory requirement is to prove the applicant’s status as a leading talent in the digital sector
throughout the past five years.
In addition, applicants need to show two of the following attributes:
- a proven track record for innovation as a founder or senior executive of a product-led digital
technology company or as an employee working on a new digital field or concept - proof of recognition for work beyond the applicant’s occupation that contributes to the
advancement of the field - significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the field as a founder,
senior executive, board member or employee of a product-led digital technology company - exceptional ability in the field illustrated by academic contributions through research published
or endorsed by an expert.
Exceptional Promise
The mandatory requirement is to prove the applicant’s potential as an emerging leader has been
recognised within the industry over the past five years.
Applicants also need to show two of the following: - at least 1 example of innovation as a founder of a product-led digital technology company or as
an employee working on a new digital field or concept - at least 1 example of proof of recognition for work beyond the applicant’s occupation that
contributes to the advancement of the field - at least 1 example of significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the
field as a founder or employee of a product-led digital technology company - at least 1 example of exceptional ability in the field by academic contributions through research
endorsed by an expert.
The final requirement under this heading is that the applicant must be at an early stage in their career,
although the ‘early stage’ is not precisely defined.
In either case, gaining the Tech Nation endorsement usually takes approximately eight weeks.
If the application is rejected, the applicant can ask for the decision to be reviewed within 28 days or
start a new application under this or any other appropriate process. - The Application Process – Step Two
At this stage, applicants must apply for entry clearance or switch to another type of visa within three
months of the grant of endorsement. Certain types of existing visa status will bar them from switching
to the Global Talent visa programme, including visitors, short-term students, seasonal workers and
private domestic workers. - Fast Track Application
This is available to individuals who have been accepted onto one of the UK’s officially recognised
accelerator programmes, of which there are approximately 750.
Global Talent Visa Restrictions
Once the applicant has obtained their visa, they will be subject to certain limitations. They will not
have the right to any public funds. They cannot work in the sporting industry. They may study
following the Academic Technology Approval Scheme. They may be obliged to register with the
police.
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Once the applicant has lived and worked in the UK in the Exceptional Promise category for five years
or the Exceptional Talent category for three, they are entitled to apply for ILR, or ‘settlement’, which
means they will no longer need to renew their visa to retain its rights. During the qualifying period,
they must have been working with continuous permission under one or more of the following sub-
categories:
(a) Global Talent
(b) Innovator
(c) Skilled Worker
(d) T2 Minister of Religion
(e) T2 Sportsperson
(f) Tier 1 Migrant, other than Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur).