Talented and promising people with business or technical talents in the digital technology industry who want to work in the UK can apply for a UK Global Talent visa.

As decided by Tech Nation, applicants will either be leaders in their fields or have the potential to be leaders.

The number of applicants that can be recommended for the UK Global Talent route’s Digital Technology subcategory is unlimited.

Global Talent Visa Digital Technology Requirements

You must fulfill specific requirements outlined by UK Visas and Immigration to be eligible for a Global Talent visa in the field of architecture:

• You are at least 18 or over;
• You’ve received a letter of recommendation from Tech Nation or a prize that is listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes;
• Your application is not subject to rejection based on the general grounds listed below;
• If needed, you have submitted a legitimate TB (Tuberculosis) certificate.

The requirements you must meet can change based on your situation. For professional guidance, you may want to consult with an immigration lawyer.

Requirements for Endorsement by Tech Nation

To be eligible for Tech Nation’s endorsement in the field of digital technology, you’ve got to either be:

• A candidate with technical skills who can show that they have built, used, deployed, or exploited a technological stack and built technical infrastructure; or
• An applicant for a business position who can show evidence of their demonstrated ability in product development, investing, or commerce while creating digital products or managing investments in noteworthy digital product businesses.

Technical applicants include, but are not limited to, academics with a focus on artificial intelligence, natural language processing, machine learning, and cybersecurity, as well as DevOps/SysOps engineers, principal software engineers/developers, data scientists, cybersecurity professionals, and those with CTO/VP Engineering experience.

Senior sales professionals, product managers, and C-suite executives (CEOs, CMOs, and CROs) are common examples of business applicants.

Evidence Required for Endorsement by Tech Nation

Three letters of recommendation and a resume with your career and publishing history are required for your Tech Nation Digital Technology endorsement application.

Three distinct, reputable organizations that are recognized as experts in the field of digital technology and have been following your work for at least a year must provide reference letters.  They have to demonstrate how the author got to know you, your accomplishments in your line of work, why they think you have exceptional talent or promise, and how you can contribute to the UK’s digital economy.

Exceptional Talent Applicants in the Field of Digital Technology

To demonstrate that you are an exceptional talent in the digital technology sector, you must demonstrate that you have been acknowledged as a leading talent in the field for the past five years and provide proof of at least two of the following:

• a track record of innovation demonstrated either as an employee working on a new digital field or concept or as the founder or senior executive of a product-led digital technology firm;
• evidence of recognition for an attempt outside of your profession that advances the field;
• having founded, served as a senior executive, member of a board, or worked for a product-led digital technology business, and having made noteworthy contributions to the area in various technical, commercial, or entrepreneurial contributions;
• having proven to be an exceptional talent in the field by publishing research or receiving other expert endorsements, therefore contributing to the academic community.

Exceptional Promise Applicants in the Field of Digital Technology

To demonstrate exceptional promise in the digital technology industry, you must demonstrate that, during the last five years, you have been identified as a potential leading talent in the field, be in the early stages of your career, and provide proof of at least two of the following:

• At least one instance of innovation while serving as an employee developing a new digital notion or field, or as the founder of a product-led digital technology firm;
• At least one instance of documentation demonstrating recognition for work outside of your profession that advances the field;
• At least one instance of notable technical, business, or entrepreneurial contributions made to the field while working as a product-led digital technology company’s employee or founder;
• At least one instance shows exceptional ability in the area by contributing to academia through research that has been approved by an expert.

In every situation, applicants must present proof of any founded or highly successful enterprises they have founded or had shares in, as well as any businesses they have dissolved during the previous five years as a founder or top executive.

Does Tech Nation Require Referees for a Digital Technology Endorsement?

Three letters of recommendation must be sent to Tech Nation in support of your application for a digital technology endorsement.

The recommendation letters must come from three distinct, reputable companies that are recognized as experts in the field of digital technology.

The signatories need to be acquainted with your contributions to the field of digital technology and your job.  They have to be a top official in their company. They must provide an account of how they met you, your accomplishments in your area of expertise, your exceptional talent or promise, your future goals, the impact you will have on the UK’s digital technology industry, and the benefits of living there.

Is It Necessary to Have Established a Digital Technology Business?

It is not necessary to have been a senior executive or founder of a company in the digital technology business, even though a track record of innovation or significant technical, commercial, or entrepreneurial contributions in the digital technology sector as a founder or senior executive of a product-led digital technology company can be relied upon in support of an application for a Tech Nation endorsement.

Employees can also obtain an endorsement from Tech Nation if they are involved in the development of a new digital field or concept if they have made noteworthy contributions to the field in terms of technology, business, or entrepreneurship, or if they have done work outside of their immediate occupation that has advanced the industry. 

Tech Nation can also recommend academics who, via published study or expert endorsement, have demonstrated exceptional ability in the realm of digital technology.

What Factors Will Tech Nation Take Into Consideration When Considering a Digital Technology Endorsement Application?

Tech Nation will consider the following criteria while evaluating applicants:

• Your track record and professional background, encompassing your global recognition, the importance of your work, and the influence of your involvement in an organization or as an individual;
• The quality of the proof on the qualifying requirements and the supporting remarks in the letters of personal recommendation;
• The expected benefits of your stay in the UK in relation to the UK’s digital technology industry;
• variables such as your educational background, your current pay grade if you’re employed, the business hiring you if you’re an employee or the amount of cash you’ve raised if you’re an entrepreneur;
• the financial significance of your prior experiences, accomplishments, and job.

Global Talent Visa Application Following Endorsement

You will have three months from the date of the endorsement letter to submit an application under the Global Talent category in order to enter or remain in the UK after receiving your Tech Nation endorsement.

If you do not currently possess, or were not previously granted, permission to remain as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or outside the Immigration Rules, you may apply from within the United Kingdom to switch to the Global Talent route.

Should you currently have, or were previously granted, leave under any of the aforementioned categories, you will need to depart the UK and apply for a Global Talent visa from your place of origin.

The Home Office will evaluate your immigration history and character in addition to confirming your endorsement to make sure you are not rejected based on general grounds for refusal.

The UK Global Talent visa category does not have any maintenance or English language proficiency requirements.

You may seek leave for as long as you like, up to a maximum of five years, throughout full-year periods. Your request for a longer period will not impact the application process, but it will impact the Immigration Health Surcharge amount you must pay.

Global Talent Fashion Design Prestigious Prizes Route

You will be able to speed up the endorsement application and go straight forward with submitting a single visa application if you have won a qualified prestigious award.

Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes is an accurate list of prizes that is updated on a regular basis and is continually examined.

More information on: GOV.UK