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Work, Live, Thrive in the UK
Supporting global talent to work live and thrive in UK tech through our various support services
Enabling the best global tech talent to work in the UK tech sector
Gain access to a global talent alumni network to support your journey
Spotlighting top talent from our Visa Programme
Celebrating 10 years of global talent in UK tech
Work, Live, Thrive in the UK. One of the largest tech ecosystems in the world.
The Global Talent Visa enables the best tech talent from around the world to work in the UK’s digital technology sector, contributing their cutting edge expertise and creative skills.
Whether you’re an experienced coder or an established tech marketeer, our top tier visa offers great flexibility and freedom. You and your family will be able to seize opportunities enriching your lives and careers, without having to regularly update your visa status.
Please note, Tech Nation cannot advise or respond directly to enquiries regarding endorsement applications or reviews. Please contact the Home Office in the first instance with any enquiries or issues. See the official Global Talent Visa page for more information.
Application Guide
Review the Tech Nation Application guide here
Official Guidance
Review the official guidance here
Visa Alumni Forum
Speak to our friendly alumni who’ve been successful in the application process here. Please note, this is not official immigration advice.
Change your job or start up on your own without needing to update your immigration status.
Your spouse and any children under 18 can come with you. Get more info here.
The total cost of application is only £716 per person (+ UK healthcare surcharge).
Join our network of over 2000 visa alumni members, to share your skills, knowledge and opportunities.
The Global Talent Visa allows top tech talent worldwide to contribute to the UK’s digital technology sector without being tied to a specific role, company, or job offer. Applicants apply via the following pathways:
Exceptional Talent
If you are well-established in your career (5+ years) and have a strong track record in your particular field, you should explore this pathway. If you have recognition in the technology industry through receiving reputable industry awards, speaking at prominent tech events, being featured in well known publications, either online or in print.
If technical background, you have published open source code to a reputable platform and received significant engagement.
These are just some of accomplishments that signify a strong leadership profile in the technology industry. Both technical and business skills are eligible.
Exceptional Promise
If you are earlier in your career (5 years or less), with a strong academic record or you are making significant contributions to innovative or impactful projects either in your own tech company or as an employee, this pathway could be perfect for you. You will also need to be able to:
Demonstrate your potential to be a future leader and your strong contribution to a new digital field. You should also have 3 senior stakeholders within product-led digital tech who are willing to vouch for your abilities and achievements.
All visa applications can take a while and so it’s important you give yourself enough time to prepare your application and for it to be processed. We recommend that you give yourself up to 12-weeks to prepare your application, to ensure you have enough time to gather all of the necessary documents.
Apply for endorsement. Complete the Government application form and submit your documents to Tech Nation.
UK Home Office inform you of the outcome within 8 weeks.
Apply for the Visa. Submit proof of endorsement and all biometric information (if you’re relocating with family, you’ll upload their info here too).
UK Home Office inform you of your application outcome within 3 weeks.
Please note, applicants are not required to instruct a professional adviser in order to apply for Tech Nation’s endorsement or the Global Talent Visa. Applicants have a choice of adviser. The provision of immigration advice is professionally regulated, you should check that your adviser is listed with a regulatory body such as the OISC or Law Society. You may find a list of regulatory bodies here:
Regulatory bodies for immigration advice
Tech Nation has a partnership with the law firm Fragomen in order to assist applicants with their search for a legal adviser. Tech Nation does not consider an applicant’s choice of legal adviser and it has no bearing on how applications are processed.
Fragomen is a leading law firm dedicated to immigration services worldwide. The firm has over 5,500 immigration professionals and support staff in more than 60 offices across the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific. A member of the Am Law 100 and Am Law Global 100, Fragomen offers immigration support in more than 170 countries.
If you are a Global Talent Applicant or Alumnus seeking paid legal representation for your global talent visa application or paid legal representation on other immigration matters…
Awarded the Global Talent Visa? Want to join our active and vibrant Alumni Network?
Read the Home Office Official Guidance: Ensure you understand the general process and requirements.
Read the Tech Nation Guide and Application Criteria: Familiarise yourself with the specific criteria and expectations for the Tech Nation endorsement.
Conduct a Personal Audit: Evaluate your experience and achievements against the criteria outlined by Tech Nation.
Research Successful Applications: Review case studies on our Success Stories page and speak to alumni via the forum to gather insights and context. This will help you understand what a strong application looks like.
Assess Criteria and Decide Pathway: Match your background and experience to the appropriate application pathway (Talent or Promise). Determine if you meet the criteria for endorsement.
Gather Evidence: Following the Tech Nation Application Guide, collect documentation that demonstrates your achievements and experience.
Contact Referees: Reach out to professionals who will provide reference letters to support your application.
Start your application: Begin the process on the official Global Talent Visa site and pay the application fee for endorsement.
Submit to Tech Nation: Within 30 working days of submitting your Home Office form, submit your endorsement application and evidence on Tech Nation’s platform.
Notification: If endorsed, Tech Nation will notify the Home Office, who will then notify you.
Global Talent Visa Application: You have three months to apply for your visa through the Home Office website.
Right to Appeal: If you believe there was a mistake, apply for an Endorsement Review via Tech Nation. The review process is free.
Immigration Advice: The provision of immigration advice is subject to regulation by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) when given in the course of business, whether paid for or free. Any advice posted on this forum is the opinion of the author and must not be provided, or taken as, professional immigration advice. Should you require immigration advice and services you should ensure the adviser is regulated by the OISC or another Designated Professional Regulator.
30 days from when you submit your form to the Home Office.
Up to 8 weeks.
Up to 3 weeks. Please note this MUST be done within 3 months of receiving your endorsement.
If your endorsement application was refused and you believe a mistake was made, an endorsement review will take place 4 weeks from when you submit your review form.
09 January 2024
The Home Office has released an information notice regarding the endorsement body contract for the Global Talent Digital Technology visa route. The endorsement process for this visa route is expected to remain with Tech Nation as the endorsing body until the end of 2024, whilst the Home Office considers the option of identifying a new endorsing body or remaining with Tech Nation.
Tech Nation will continue to process endorsement applications for the Global Talent Visa on behalf of the Home Office and applicants can continue to apply as normal.
You must leave the UK and apply for a Global Talent visa from abroad if you’re in one of these categories. All information on switching to the Global Talent visa can be found on the Home Office website.
Whilst the formal process runs between April to April each year, there is no open or close date regarding applications for the Global Talent Visa.
No, we are unable to review your documents prior to submission. Please ensure that you carefully read the official Guidance from Home Office for the Global Talent Visa, as well as Tech Nation’s Guide. Sending your application to Tech Nation before submission will not increase your chances of endorsement and may delay your application being processed.
Both Technical and Business type roles are eligible for the Global Talent Visa. There are no formal restrictions regarding role types or specialisms, partly due to the fast-changing nature of the technology sector. However, within our guide, you will find a list of example roles that are considered suitable and unsuitable for this visa route.
The application process for Stage 1 is completely online, you do not need to physically post any documents. To submit your application, you must first apply to the Home Office for endorsement by Tech Nation. Once you have completed this Home Office application, you must then complete a Tech Nation application form. You can save and return to your application at any time before submitting. After submitting you will not be able to amend or provide additional documents.
You will receive an update from the Home Office on when your payment has been processed and again when Tech Nation has been notified of your application. Tech Nation will not provide you with an update directly as all correspondence must go via the Home Office.
You may be eligible for Settlement under this visa route. The qualifying period depends on whether your visa is granted under the criteria for either Exceptional Talent (3 years) or Exceptional Promise (5 years).
