A top-tier software engineering expert, Israel Heringer Lisboa de Castro has built an impressive career in IT, working in areas such as finance and security leading companies like Meta, Banco Inter, and Hotmart. His innovative contributions earned him a UK Global Talent Visa, allowing him to relocate with his family. In this interview, he shares his journey, the challenges he faced, and how he successfully secured his visa and Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK
Israel Heringer: I’ve been a software engineer since 2008, when I was about to finish my undergraduate studies. My career includes stints at Banco Inter, a digital bank pioneering fee-free banking in Brazil, where I led the team that was responsible for launching Pix, Brazil’s instant payment system that transformed digital transactions by enabling real-time transfers 24/7. I also built and led the mobile engineering team at Hotmart, a global platform helping creators monetize content through memberships, payment solutions, and e-learning tools. For years I wanted to move abroad for better opportunities (even traveled twice in 2015 for job interviews abroad - which I failed), and in 2021 I made it happen with a job offer at Meta (still Facebook by that time).
Israel Heringer: I was looking for a place with higher living standards to live with my family and continue my career. Europe was a preference as it generally offers a higher quality of life compared to Brazil, with better infrastructure, healthcare, and overall safety. The UK, in particular, has the added advantage of English being the primary language, making adaptation smoother for me and my family. The cultural diversity, career opportunities, and access to top-tier education and healthcare also played a role in my decision. Moving here allowed me to grow professionally while providing a better environment for my family’s future.
Israel Heringer: I first learned about the Global Talent Visa at work from colleagues who had successfully transitioned to it. Unlike a traditional UK work visa, which is tied to a specific employer, the Global Talent Visa offers greater flexibility and career independence. I was thinking about the idea for a while, and then with the increasing uncertainties in the tech industry from 2022-2023, securing a more stable future for me and my family became a priority. This visa would allow me to continue growing professionally while ensuring long-term security in the UK.
Israel Heringer: Immigram supported me in three key areas:
Israel Heringer: There was a lot of work overall, but one of the biggest challenges for me was obtaining the recommendation letters. Even though I had good relationships in all my past jobs, it felt uncomfortable to reach out to former colleagues or managers I hadn’t spoken to in years and ask for a favor. It took time to reconnect, explain the process, and ensure they were comfortable writing a strong letter. Despite the challenge, their support was crucial in strengthening my application.
Israel Heringer: When my Global Talent Visa was approved, I was approaching my three-year anniversary in the UK, which made me automatically eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR grants permanent residency, allowing me to live and work in the UK without visa restrictions. Since I met the residency requirements, I was able to apply immediately. The process went smoothly, and I ended up obtaining my ILR in the same month I received my GTV, securing long-term stability for my future.
Israel Heringer: Before I started working on the evidence, I was very unsure about my chances, but in the end, everything worked out well. There’s definitely a lot of work involved, but depending on personal circumstances, it can be worth the effort. One of my biggest challenges was finding the time to prepare my profile and gather all the necessary documents. Since I had very little free time, the process took me several months to complete. It’s important to be prepared for the time and effort required before starting.
