Join the Global Talent working in UK tech
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 Global Talent Visa in digital technology. If you are a talented or promising individual and want to work in the UK’s digital technology sector, the Tech Nation Visa can help you do this.
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.
The below legal firms sponsor our visa scheme. If you would like a referral to one of these firms please contact us and clearly state which firm you wish to contact. If you do not state a preference, we will automatically allocate your enquiry to one of the firms based on current demand. Tech Nation is unable to advise which legal firm you should consult. To be referred, click on the “Help” button in the right corner.
“I had the pleasure of working with a Tech Nation Legal partner for my Tier 1 visa. The process of moving from one country to another is stressful and the tier 1 application process is an additional logistical thing to handle on top of many others. So having a strong lawyer who can manage the details and help you put your best foot forward can be quite helpful.“
“One tricky dimension of the application process is that some dimensions of one’s professional experience or life in general are not always straightforward to document, so some creativity is required to identify the evidence to submit for a compelling package. I felt fortunate in this process to have a law partner who is competent, responsive, creative and flexible. Beyond that, the legal representative is simply a kind person, a real professional and pleasure to work with so I highly recommend her and the legal partners in the Tier 1 application process. “
Tech Nation Visa Applicant
This is a short summary of our official Tech Nation Visa Guide and the application process. We recommend you read the full guide and all official guidance from the Home Office before applying.
The Global Talent visa does not have a limit or any other restriction on the number of visas available.
Applications are assessed by an independent panel of experts against the Eligibility Criteria in our Guide. There are two routes available to cater for different levels of experience:
Exceptional Talent: proven to be a recognised leader
Exceptional Promise: proven to be an emerging leader
Check your eligibility in the Tech Nation Visa Guide above.
* Please note: Tech Nation cannot advise on eligibility or likelihood of endorsement. Please refer to the guidance.
The application process is in 2 stages:
Stage 1: Application for Endorsement – up to 8 weeks to be processed.
Stage 2: Application for Visa – up to 3 weeks out of country and 8 weeks in country.
The Global Talent visa can be granted for up to 5 years. Applicants can choose during application how many whole years of leave they wish to be granted.
Applicants can be eligible for Settlement under this visa route. The qualifying period depends on whether your visa is granted under either the criteria for Exceptional Talent (3 years) or Exceptional Promise (5 years).
The Global Talent visa allows you to work and change employers, or be self-employed, without the need for further authorisation or to be sponsored for employment in a specific post.
Dependants are allowed subject to requirements.
Stage 1: £456*
Stage 2: £152*
*Please note that this does not include additional administrative costs such as your BRP enrolment fee and NHS surcharge.
** Please note: We recommend you read our Visa Guide and all official guidance from the Home office before starting your application.
Yes, all applicants should carefully review the Guide for Tech Nation Visa on our website, as well as the official Guidance from Home Office for the Global Talent visa.
As each application for endorsement is assessed by an independent panel of experts, Tech Nation cannot advise on the eligibility of individual applicants or the likelihood of their endorsement.
We invite potential candidates to refer to the Guide for the Tech Nation Visa, in particular the section on Endorsement Criteria, and consider whether and how they meet these criteria. Tech Nation cannot provide advice beyond that contained in this document.
A full overview of the application process can be found in the Guide for Tech Nation Visa. Further information, including information on cost, can be found on the Home Office website.
No, you don’t. However, you will need to include a concrete plan of what you’ll be doing once you are in the UK and how you intend to contribute to the growth of the UK’s digital economy.
As part of your application form, you will be asked to submit a personal statement of up to 1000 words in length which can include details on how you intend to contribute to the growth of the UK’s digital economy, and this will play an important role in the assessment of your application.
You can apply to switch to the Global Talent Talent visa if you are already in the UK on Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 5 (Temporary worker – Government Authorised Exchange) visa.
All information on switching to the Global Talent visa can be found on the Home Office website.
The Exceptional Promise route is intended for applicants who are able to demonstrate the potential to become a leader in the field of digital technology.
Applicants who choose to apply via this route are often individuals who are at the start of their careers in digital technology, and so may not have the same levels of experience as someone who applies under the Exceptional Talent option.
Exceptional Promise applicants will need to demonstrate the potential to be a leader in digital technology through their skills and/or achievements thus far.
Please note that Tech Nation cannot advise potential applicants on whether they should apply for the Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise route.
Applying for endorsement via Exceptional Talent does not preclude you from endorsement under Exceptional Promise should you meet the necessary criteria; likewise, applying under the Exceptional Promise route does not preclude you from endorsement for Exceptional Talent.
In all cases, Tech Nation experts will establish whether you meet the necessary criteria to be endorsed for Exceptional Talent or for Exceptional Promise.
Please note that the qualifying period for Settlement (ILR) depends on whether your visa is granted under either the criteria for Exceptional Talent (three years required) or Exceptional Promise (five years required). Therefore, if your application is endorsed under a different route than you applied (Talent or Promise), it will affect your qualifying period for Settlement. Further information can be found in the official Guidance for the Global Talent visa on the Home Office website.
We are unable to review your documents prior to submission. Please ensure that you read the Guide for Tech Nation Visa document carefully. 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 Tech Nation 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 for this visa route.
The Global Talent visa does not have a limit or any other restriction on the number of visas available.
Whilst the allocation of visas to Tech Nation runs between April to April each year, there is no actual close date regarding visa applications for the Global Talent visa, it is based on the number of remaining visas.
Please refer to the Guide for Tech Nation Visa for more information on what to include in the Letters of Recommendation. Note that the Guide provides a suggested format and there is no strict template. Please ensure that your Letters of Recommendation are in line with the guidance and on an official letter-headed document where possible.
Please ensure that these letters are as detailed as possible with regard to your skills/work and how you are known to your referee. The more detail that is provided, the better in determining why your referees believe you meet the criteria for Exceptional Talent / Promise.
Please refer to the Guide for Tech Nation Visa for more information on what to include in the Letters of Recommendation. Note that the Guide provides a suggested format and there is no strict template. Please ensure that your Letters of Recommendation are in line with the guidance and on an official letter-headed document where possible.
Please ensure that these letters are as detailed as possible with regard to your skills/work and how you are known to your referee. The more detail that is provided, the better in determining why your referees believe you meet the criteria for Exceptional Talent / Promise.
Each potential applicant is best placed to assess whether the Global Talent visa is right for them, dependent on their circumstances. Tech Nation cannot advise on the suitability of the Tech Nation Visa to individual applicants’ circumstances beyond that contained in the Guidance.
We invite potential candidates to refer to the Guide for the Tech Nation Visa, in particular the section on Typical Applicants, where a range of example skills are listed. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and provides an indication of the typical applicant assessed by Tech Nation
The Home Office advises that Stage 1 of the application process (i.e. the application to be endorsed) for the Global Talent visa can take up to eight weeks from the time the Home Office receives your application to when they inform you of the result.
Please note that even if your application is endorsed, you must still complete Stage 2 of the application process for the Global Talent visa (i.e. the application for the visa itself). The Home Office advises that Stage 2 of the application process can take up to three weeks if applying from outside of the UK, and up to eight weeks if applying from within the UK.
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 Visa 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.
At this stage, you will have to wait to hear directly from the Home Office on whether you have been endorsed by Tech Nation. Tech Nation cannot advise on your application status.
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.
There are no nationality-based restrictions for the Tech Nation Visa, which is open to all non-EEA citizens. More information is available on the Home Office website.
