Alexey Yuzhakov is a UK Global Talent visa holder with almost three decades in the technology industry. He’s gone from being a programmer to an architect and engineering team leader. Find out how his lifelong passion for technology led him to move to the United Kingdom as a global talent!
Immigram: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your career?
Alexey Yuzhakov: I’ve been with Plesk (part of the WebPros holding) for 19 years, where I’ve spent the last 15 years as a team lead. My journey in tech began in 2001 when, as a student, I started writing commercial software, and later transitioned to working as a developer for various companies.
In total, I’ve been writing code for over 30 years, progressing from developing desktop and mobile applications to working on web projects and cloud infrastructures. I don’t limit myself to a single programming language or framework—what’s always mattered most to me is solving the problem at hand and delivering results.
Immigram: You are a lifelong developer. How did you develop a love for programming and the technology industry?
Alexey Yuzhakov: My passion for programming started when I was 10 years old. In 1993, my parents bought a ZX Spectrum, and I began with Basic, then moved on to assembly language. Since then, programming has been both my career and hobby.
I’ve always explored different technologies and kept up with industry trends. Whenever I face a challenge, whether it’s learning a new language or solving complex problems, I dive deep into research while staying focused on results. This has been key in overcoming many tough challenges.
Immigram: How did you decide to move to the UK?
Alexey Yuzhakov: I had several opportunities to move to the UK, but I kept putting the idea off. After spending the past two years in Bulgaria, I realized I felt more comfortable in an English-speaking environment. What ultimately pushed me to move was meeting a friend who had already done it. He told me about the Global Talent visa, and its benefits—like not being tied to a specific employer—were very appealing to me.
Immigram: Tell us about the process of preparing to apply for the Global Talent visa.
Alexey Yuzhakov: When I began researching the requirements for the Global Talent visa, I decided to turn to Immigram, which specializes in this process. They helped me understand how to properly gather and submit the necessary documents. The requirements can be complex, but Immigram assisted in structuring the application and collecting the required recommendations. They guided me through every stage, minimizing potential errors. Thanks to their support, my family and I are now living in the UK, ready to embrace new challenges and opportunities.
Immigram: What challenges did you face during the case preparation?
Alexey Yuzhakov: The application process turned out to be quite lengthy—it took about two months to gather all the necessary documents. It wasn’t just about collecting paperwork but also about presenting my recent achievements in the best possible light.
Immigram’s experts guided me throughout, from selecting the most relevant achievements to drafting recommendation letters. In the end, I successfully completed the process and received the long-awaited visa in January 2024.
Immigram: Tell us about your new life in the UK?
Alexey Yuzhakov: I moved to London with my family in March 2024. I drove from Sofia, Bulgaria in my car, covering over 2,500 kilometers through eight countries. I continue to work at Plesk/WebPros, as the holding company has a branch in the UK.
The move has opened up new opportunities for me—there are many major tech companies and startups here, and I have ideas for new projects that I want to develop alongside my main job.
We congratulate Alexey on becoming the next Global Talent and his relocation to the UK!
