Choose the UK

Join Europe’s leading tech industry

Why choose the UK?

With over 200,000 tech companies, it’s the perfect time to start or join a digital tech business in the UK. From multinational tech giants to boutique tech companies, AI and machine learning to cyber security and big data, the UK is a world-leader in digital tech.

So what are we missing? You!

The UK needs people with exceptional talent and experience in tech and there’s never been a better time to join the UK’s tech scene.

Find out more about our Tech Nation Visa >

The UK in numbers

1.87mdigital tech jobs currently in the UK

Salariesare higher for digital tech workers

76.1%employment rate (February 2020)

220,000tech companies in total

£184bnturnover of UK tech companies

£4.46bninvested in UK tech companies

More reasons to choose the UK

We’ve put together a list of the Top 10 reasons why the UK is a great choice for a talented techie like you.

We currently have over 200,000 tech companies in the UK. The tech sector is booming along with the investment it’s receiving.

Our mix of historic and iconic cities like Bath, Edinburgh, Oxford, York and of course, London, mixed with charming country towns like Aberystwyth, Harrogate and Whitby.

The total amount of venture capital invested in UK tech hit £6.3bn last year, and this is more than any other European country.

From an impressive coastline in the south to magnificent mountains in the north, the UK in itself if perfect for exploring and weekend breaks.

35% of European and Israeli tech unicorns were started in the UK.

Well connected airports. Most major cities in the UK have direct flights to a range of destinations, cutting down on the cost and time of flying.

Internationally competitive tech companies are distributed across the country, making it easier to find work out of population-dense cities.

The UK has stability in employment, where currently (August 2019) employment rates rest at 76%.

The UK is a hub for sectors like Fintech and Insurtech, but also sees phenomenal growth in areas like AI and cybersecurity.

Our Visa

The Tech Nation 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.

Tech Nation has been designated by the Home Office to endorse applications for the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa in digital technology. If you’re exceptionally talented or show exceptional promise and want to work in the UK’s digital technology sector, the Tech Nation Visa can help you do this.

FIND OUT MORE >

Take the quiz to find out if you're eligible.

Tech Nation Visa may not be for you, please see Gov.uk section on work visas.

Tech Nation Visa may not be for you,
perhaps consider the Tier 1 Investor Visa

Tech Nation Visa may not be for you,
perhaps consider the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa

Tech Nation Visa may not be for you,
perhaps consider the Tier 2 General Visa.

Some of the UK’s top tech companies

Discover why the UK is best place to be a digital tech leader.

Download the Tech Nation Visa brochure

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Something to inspire you…

Visa ambassador stories

Check out the stories of Visa Ambassadors, applicants who have successfully been endorsed a Tech Nation Visa tell the stories of how the visa and moving to the UK has benefitted them.

Kyle Redelinghuys
Software Developer (Fintech)
Cansu Deniz Bayrak
Tech-for-good investor from Turkey
Mukesh Adhvaryu
Entrepreneur from India
Yongjie Chen
UX Designer from China
Udi Nachmany
Developer from Jerusalem
Akram Dweikat
Machine Learning computer engineer from Palestine
Lev Perlman
Full-stack software engineer from Israel
Madhumita Mund Rao
Leader in location intelligence data, analytics and technology from India
Alejandro Saucedo
Machine Learning specialist from Mexico
Herman Komashko,
Digital Engineer from Uzbekistan
Brenda Della Casa
Content Leader, Writer and Strategist
Josue Vivas
Nuclear Design Engineer

How immigration has enriched the UK throughout history

We know having a multicultural and diverse society brings a country all kinds of benefits, but did you know the UK can thank immigration for some of its most iconic brands, icons and inventions?

Tesco

This iconic grocery store was established by Jack Cohen, the son of a Polish immigrant. Tesco started out as one little market stall and ahs grown into and empire.

Fish & chips

This iconic duo is sold as classic British street food in any self-respecting seaside town, but it was Jewish immigrant Joseph Malin who opened the first shop.

Mini Cooper

The Mini Cooper has long been deemed a national symbol of Britain but has also enjoyed worldwide popularity. It was invented by the Greek immigrant Sir Alec Issigonis.

Cafe Nero

This popular chain was founded by American Gerry Ford in the ’70s, because he wasn’t able to find decent coffee in a stubbornly tea-drinking nation.

The Duke of Edinburgh

The Queen’s husband is from Corfu and born of Greek and Danish royal families. He became a naturalised British citizen before marrying the Queen in 1947.

Afternoon tea

Made fashionable first at The Ritz Hotel in London, this iconic and fancy pants British meal was invented by Swiss hospitality impresario César Ritz.

Want to know more?

Visit our Main Visa page for more application guidance, FAQ’s, criteria and more.

Read more about our Alumni, or if you’re a successful applicant, sign up to the Alumni network.

For the best application guidance, see our Visa Guide and official guidelines from The Home Office.