Vikram Haridas on Securing a UK Talent Visa to Be at the Center of Global Tech Innovation
Meet Vikram Haridas, Lead Product Manager at Groupon and a UK Global Talent Visa holder. With over 10 years of experience, Vikram transitioned from being a full-stack developer during India's startup boom to becoming a seasoned product manager who excels at building 0→1 products and scaling global initiatives with a data-driven approach. In this interview, Vikram shares insights about his career journey, his decision to move to the UK, and his experience securing the Global Talent Visa with Immigram.
Immigram: Can you please describe how you became a product manager?
Vikram Haridas: I am formally an engineer, and I began my career as a full-stack developer, where I honed my technical skills. During India’s massive startup boom, I observed that many founders had ambitious end goals but often struggled to define the road to success or identify the essential building blocks to achieve their vision. This realization inspired me to transition into Product Management, where I could bridge this gap by combining technical expertise with strategic thinking. For over 10 years now, I have been dedicated to building impactful products and helping organizations turn ideas into successful realities.
Immigram: Why did you decide to move to the UK to work and live?
Vikram Haridas: There were multiple reasons for my decision to move to the UK. Chief among them was the fact that the UK is both geographically and professionally at the center of many global industries. If I wanted to be at the table where critical decisions were made, I needed to be in the city where those tables were—London. Additionally, I sought a country with a culture that resonated with me, and few places in the world offer that as well as the UK. Moving here was a strategic and personal choice to align with my ambitions and values.
Immigram: When did you learn about the Global Talent Visa in the UK? How did you decide to apply for it? Can you share the details, please?
Vikram Haridas: I was approached by someone from Immigram who explained how the Global Talent Visa works. I decided to apply for it because I was already in the UK on a work visa sponsored by my employer, and I wanted the flexibility and independence to make a change in my employment. Unlike other visa types, the Global Talent Visa allows me to work without being tied to a specific employer, giving me greater freedom in my career choices.
Immigram: Can you describe the process of preparing the case with Immigram? What part of the process did you find challenging?
Vikram Haridas: The process was fairly well-documented by Immigram. There were clear steps to be followed, so it didn’t require much analysis on my part. I simply had to tick things off one by one from the list provided to me. Some of the challenging parts were getting the data to make my case stronger. While getting data from my current firm was easy, obtaining it from previous employers was much harder. Similarly, securing reference letters was the most time-consuming and anxiety-inducing part of the process.
Immigram: What were the pros of preparing your application with Immigram in your case?
Vikram Haridas: As a working professional, I did not have the bandwidth to figure everything out by myself. It was great to have a case lead and a public profile boosting lead who handled the majority of the admin work for me, and I was only expected to deliver on the clear steps laid out for me. All I had to do was execute those steps. It was also helpful to have the team explain why certain information was required to build my case or why they were adjusting their approach.
Immigram: What can you say to young professionals thinking of trying their luck with the Global Talent Visa?
Vikram Haridas: I strongly recommend building a solid relationship with your case lead. In my experience, it felt like they knew more about me than I knew about myself, which made the process much smoother. Elena became my case lead, and working with her was a pleasure. Her investment in my application gave me confidence and allowed me to focus on my tasks while Immigram handled the rest seamlessly. For those not using Immigram, use forums about the Global Talent Visa to understand the requirements, timelines, and proof needed. Be prepared—it may take longer than expected, so measure twice, cut once.
Immigram: Now that you have the visa, what are your plans in the UK?
Vikram Haridas: I want to give back to the country and am working hard to contribute to the NHS, which is such a critical institution. I would love to help them address challenges and make the NHS more efficient in serving the people of the UK. On a cultural level, I am eager to explore the country further. I haven’t yet ventured to the great north, but once I’m settled, I look forward to taking road trips and immersing myself in the rich culture and history of the UK. It’s an exciting journey I’m keen to begin.
