Important Visa Updates

• Applications submitted on or before 30th November 2020 will be assessed according to the previous guidance. 

• Applications submitted on or after 1st December 2020 will be assessed according to the new guidance. 

• Application submission date is based on when the applicant submits the official ‘Application for Endorsement’ on the Gov.uk website. Tech Nation is informed by the Home Office of the application submission date. Submission of the Tech Nation application form does not affect the official submission date. 

• No exceptions will be made regarding date of submission and assessment. Tech Nation cannot respond to requests regarding change of submission date.

The main change for Tech Nation applications is the Eligibility Criteria

The Key and Qualifying criteria have been restructured to reflect the requirement that Tech Nation’s Global Talent applicants must be either Leaders or Potential Leaders in the digital technology sector. The terms ‘Key’ and ‘Qualifying’ no longer apply. Instead, a simpler set of mandatory and optional criteria will be introduced.

From the 1st December, there will be a single mandatory criterion which was previously one of the Qualifying Criteria, regarding an applicant being a Leader or Potential Leader in the digital technology sector. The applicant will also be required to meet two of four optional criteria.

Please note, whilst the primary change is the reordering of the current criteria, the current Qualifying Criteria regarding Continuous Learning has been removed.

Based on these changes, the new criteria will be as follows with the official rules:

EXCEPTIONAL TALENT

GTE 7.3. An applicant evidencing exceptional talent must:

(a) show that they have been recognised as a leading talent in the digital technology sector; and

(b) provide evidence of 2 of the following:

(i) 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; or

(ii) proof of recognition for work beyond the applicant’s occupation that contributes to the advancement of the field; or

(iii) they have made significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the field as a founder, senior executive or employee of a product-led digital technology company; or

(iv) they have demonstrated exceptional ability in the field by academic contributions, through research published or endorsed by an expert.

EXCEPTIONAL PROMISE

GTE 7.4. An applicant evidencing exceptional promise must:

(a) show they have been recognised as having the potential to be a leading talent in the digital technology field; and

(b) provide evidence of 2 of the following:

(i) at least 2 examples of innovation as a founder of a product led digital technology company or as an employee working on a new digital field or concept; or

(ii) proof of recognition for work beyond the applicant’s occupation that contributes to the advancement of the field; or

(iii) they have made significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the field as a founder or employee of a product-led digital technology company; or

(iv) at least 2 examples of exceptional ability in the field by academic contributions, or through research endorsed by an expert.

The changes to the official rules can be reviewed here. It is recommended that you review all of the changes, however, changes specifically regarding the Global Talent route are generally identified with GT and GTE.

Please see the official Global Talent page and Immigration Rules for Global Talent for official resources.

Tech Nation continues to process Stage 1 endorsement applications for the Global Talent Visa as normal. You should review the official UK Government Covid-19 guidance regarding Stage 2 visa applications and other immigration matters:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-uk-visa-applicants-and-temporary-uk-residents

Please note that Tech Nation cannot advise regarding visa applications or immigration matters.