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FAQ
Who can apply for a Global Talent Tech Nation visa?
Global Talent visa is available for talented and promising individuals in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology, and arts and culture. The Tech Nation Visa is granted to founders and employees with technical or business backgrounds, including all tech sub-sectors like fintech, AI, cyber, and games.
What does a Global Talent visa offer?
Global Talent visa enables you to work, change employers, or be self-employed in the UK, without the need for further authorisation. There are no language or maintenance requirements as seen in other visa routes. This visa can be valid for up to 5 years. After the initial visa period (5 years for Exceptional Promise and 3 years for Exceptional Talent), you can either apply for an extension or permanent settlement in the UK. The Tech Nation Visa can also be extended to your immediate family members
What is the difference between Exceptional Talent and Exceptional Promise?
When you apply for a Global Talent visa, you can choose between Exceptional Talent and Exceptional Promise applications depending on your level of experience:
Exceptional Talent – If you are already a recognised leader and have made a significant contribution / significant contributions to your respective field;
Exceptional Promise – If you are an emerging leader, in other words, you have the potential of becoming a recognised leader and contributing to your respective field.
Applying for endorsement via Exceptional Talent does not preclude you from endorsement under Exceptional Promise; likewise, applying under the Exceptional Promise route does not preclude you from endorsement for Exceptional Talent should you meet the necessary criteria.
Exceptional Talent – If you are already a recognised leader and have made a significant contribution / significant contributions to your respective field;
Exceptional Promise – If you are an emerging leader, in other words, you have the potential of becoming a recognised leader and contributing to your respective field.
Applying for endorsement via Exceptional Talent does not preclude you from endorsement under Exceptional Promise; likewise, applying under the Exceptional Promise route does not preclude you from endorsement for Exceptional Talent should you meet the necessary criteria.
What does the application process consist of?
There are two applications stages:
you apply for Endorsement on the official Global Talent visa website and complete a Tech Nation Visa application form for assessment. An endorsing body assesses your skills, abilities and achievements, and advises the Home Office whether you can be endorsed. This stage takes up to 8 weeks to be processed. Although we usually get a decision much faster - in just 2-3 weeks.
You must submit your Tech Nation application form no more than 15 working days after you submitted your Home Office application. However, if you miss the deadline Tech Nation will first provide you with another one and then simply refund the Application fee, allowing you to resubmit your application.
The Home Office will inform you if you have been endorsed. After a successful endorsement, you can proceed to Stage 2.
Stage 2 - Application for Visa: you must apply on the official Global Talent website within 3 months of receiving your endorsement from Tech Nation. The Home Office reviews your application, considering various immigration aspects. This stage usually takes up to 3 weeks if you're outside the UK, and up to 8 weeks if you're inside the UK.
you apply for Endorsement on the official Global Talent visa website and complete a Tech Nation Visa application form for assessment. An endorsing body assesses your skills, abilities and achievements, and advises the Home Office whether you can be endorsed. This stage takes up to 8 weeks to be processed. Although we usually get a decision much faster - in just 2-3 weeks.
You must submit your Tech Nation application form no more than 15 working days after you submitted your Home Office application. However, if you miss the deadline Tech Nation will first provide you with another one and then simply refund the Application fee, allowing you to resubmit your application.
The Home Office will inform you if you have been endorsed. After a successful endorsement, you can proceed to Stage 2.
Stage 2 - Application for Visa: you must apply on the official Global Talent website within 3 months of receiving your endorsement from Tech Nation. The Home Office reviews your application, considering various immigration aspects. This stage usually takes up to 3 weeks if you're outside the UK, and up to 8 weeks if you're inside the UK.
What documents are required for a Tech Nation application?
A completed Tech Nation Visa application form, which includes
- A Personal Statement;
- A CV, containing your experience, contributions to the relevant field, publications, etc.;
- Three letters of recommendation from recognised leaders in the tech industry;
- Up to 10 pieces of evidence in relation to the relevant Eligibility Criteria.
We will assist you in drafting and submitting all the necessary documentation for your application.
What information should my Personal Statement contain?
A Personal Statement must explain the contribution that you will make to the UK digital technology sector. It should contain answers to the following questions:
Why do you want to come to the UK? What do you plan to do in the UK? Which region or city of the UK are you planning to live in?How will the UK digital technology sector benefit from your work?
and any other information that proves your eligibility for a Global Talent Visa.We will draft your Personal Statement after a series of casework calls.
Why do you want to come to the UK? What do you plan to do in the UK? Which region or city of the UK are you planning to live in?How will the UK digital technology sector benefit from your work?
and any other information that proves your eligibility for a Global Talent Visa.We will draft your Personal Statement after a series of casework calls.
What are the requirements for recommendations letters?
- Each letter should be from a senior member of their organisation familiar with your contributions to the digital technology field.
- Each letter must be written especially for your Global Talent application.
- Each letter must reveal how the person knows you, show your achievements in the digital technology sector, and include your plans for the future.
- Each letter must reveal how you would benefit from living in the UK and how you could contribute to the digital technology field in the UK.
- Each letter must be typed, dated and signed by the author, or by someone on behalf of the organisation recommending you.
- Each letter must be up to 3 single sides of A4 paper, excluding the author's credentials and contact details.
- Each letter must include a telephone number and email address, and the organisation's logo and registered address, if applicable.
- Each letter must come with the author's CV (or other proof of their credentials that the endorsing body will accept).
We will draft all the reference letters for your application after a series of casework calls.
Which documents can be provided as evidence of my eligibility?
You should provide:
- financial documentation and proof of earnings where evidence relates to business ownership, commercial contracts, employment contracts including any bonus and equity options and history of earnings, revenue history, product/market traction, or financing history in the case of investments or funds;
- for work within a startup, the company's capital raised and revenues should be provided. All currencies contained within evidence should be converted to GBP where possible, or a summary of appropriate conversion rates provided;
- reference letters from leading industry experts;
- news clippings, code commit summaries, repo stars or similar metrics such as download statistics, links to your publications with evidence containing such details as the number of page views, downloads or other quantifiable metrics.
We will help you choose and correctly submit the necessary evidence of your achievements
What are the Eligibility Criteria for an Exceptional Talent application?
For Exceptional Talent there is one mandatory and two optional criteria.
Mandatory criteria - show that you have been recognised as a leading talent in the digital technology sector, which can be evidenced by:
Optional criteria (you need any 2 of 4):
Mandatory criteria - show that you have been recognised as a leading talent in the digital technology sector, which can be evidenced by:
- a reference letter from an industry leader, proving that your work led to the expansion of a digital technology company;
- a reference letter from senior global commercial executives, proving that your projects have brought major commercial success to a product-led digital technology company;
- a compilation of code commit summaries or repo stars, which proves that you have made significant contributions to a substantial open source project;
- media articles, demonstrating that you have been a speaker at high-profile digital technology events.
Optional criteria (you need any 2 of 4):
- Show that you have a 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, which can be evidenced by.
- financial documentation demonstrating revenue growth driven by an innovative product or service;
- the last set of audited accounts, projections for current financial year and articles of association for a start-up you have founded;
- an employment contract with salary information including any bonus and equity options and history of earnings
2. Show that you have been recognised for work beyond your occupation that contributes to the development of the field, which can be evidenced by:- your GitHub profile demonstrating active participation in a collaborative project;
- your Stack Overflow profile showing significant contribution to a discussion;
- a link to your presentation at a high-profile conference displaying a significant viewership;
- a reference letter proving your contribution to mentoring young specialists.
3. Show that you have made significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the field, which can be evidenced by:
- an employment contract with salary information and any bonus and equity options;
- documentation on product designs demonstrating your contribution;
- your GitHub account demonstrating your continuing contribution.
4. Show that you have made academic contributions, research published or endorsed by an expert, which can be evidenced by:- a paper published in a top-tier peer-reviewed journal;
- awards received for outstanding applied work;
- a reference letter from a research supervisor demonstrating your achievements in the academic work.
We will help you choose and correctly submit required documentation
What are the Eligibility Criteria for an Exceptional Promise application?
For Exceptional Promise there is one mandatory and two optional criteria.
Mandatory criteria - show that you have been recognised as having the potential to be a leading talent in the digital technology field, which can be evidenced by:
Mandatory criteria - show that you have been recognised as having the potential to be a leading talent in the digital technology field, which can be evidenced by:
- a reference letter from an industry leader, proving that your work led to the growth of a product inside a digital technology company;
- a reference letter from senior global commercial executives, proving that your projects have enabled substantial revenue and/or customer growth at a product-led digital technology company;
- a compilation of code commit summaries or repo stars, which proves that you have made significant contributions to a substantial open source project;
- media articles, demonstrating that you have been a speaker at high-profile digital technology events.
Optional criteria (you need any 2 of 4):
1. Show that you have made at least 2 innovations as a founder of a product-led digital technology company or as an employee working on a new digital field or concept, which be evidenced by:- financial documentation demonstrating domestic and/or international sales and customer numbers for each country;
- the last set of audited accounts, projections for current financial year and articles of association for a start-up you have founded;
- an employment contract with salary information including any bonus and equity options and history of earnings.
2. Show that you have been recognised for work beyond your occupation that contributes to the development of the field, which can be evidenced by:- any evidence of contributions to an Open Source project;
- your GitHub profile demonstrating active participation in a collaborative project;
- your Stack Overflow profile showing significant contribution to a discussion;
- a link to your presentation at a high-profile conference displaying a significant viewership.
3. Show that you have made significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the field, which can be evidenced by:
- an employment contract with salary information and any bonus and equity options;
- documentation on product designs demonstrating your contribution;
- your GitHub account demonstrating your continuing contribution.
4. Show that you have exceptional ability in the field by academic contributions (at least 2 examples), which can be evidenced by:- a paper published in a top-tier peer-reviewed journal;
- awards received for outstanding applied work;
- a reference letter from a research supervisor demonstrating your achievements in the academic work
We will help you choose and correctly submit required documentation.
What are the application fees?
One person's application fee is £608. This includes:
All dependents (Stage 2 only): £608*
*Please note this does not include additional Stage 2 costs such as your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) enrolment fee and healthcare surcharge.
Your application fee will be automatically reduced by £55 if you're from one of the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden or Turkey.
This reduction only applies to your visa application. Your partner and children will still need to pay the full application fee.
- Stage 1 – Endorsement Application: £456
- Stage 2 – Visa application: £152*
All dependents (Stage 2 only): £608*
*Please note this does not include additional Stage 2 costs such as your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) enrolment fee and healthcare surcharge.
Your application fee will be automatically reduced by £55 if you're from one of the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden or Turkey.
This reduction only applies to your visa application. Your partner and children will still need to pay the full application fee.
What do I do if my application is refused by the endorsing body?
If your application for endorsement is unsuccessful and you think that a mistake has been made, you can apply for an Endorsement Review from the relevant endorsement body. If such a case occurs, we will assist you in applying for a Review and appealing the decision.
Or you can submit a new application or make an application under a different immigration route. Both of these options will require you to pay a new application fee.
Or you can submit a new application or make an application under a different immigration route. Both of these options will require you to pay a new application fee.
Does Tech Nation guarantee the confidentiality of all the information provided in my application?
Application data received by Tech Nation will remain strictly private and confidential, being stored and processed on Tech Nation's secure application system. Data will only be accessible to the Home Office, Tech Nation and the independent assessment panel. In accordance with Home Office instructions, Tech Nation will store your data for up to 6 years, after which it will be permanently deleted. You should only share data if you have permission to do so, Tech Nation cannot advise regarding NDA's or whether you should share any particular data.
Who can apply for a Global Talent Tech Nation visa?
Global Talent visa is available for talented and promising individuals in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology, and arts and culture. The Tech Nation Visa is granted to founders and employees with technical or business backgrounds, including all tech sub-sectors like fintech, AI, cyber, and games.
What does a Global Talent visa offer?
Global Talent visa enables you to work, change employers, or be self-employed in the UK, without the need for further authorisation. There are no language or maintenance requirements as seen in other visa routes. This visa can be valid for up to 5 years. After the initial visa period (5 years for Exceptional Promise and 3 years for Exceptional Talent), you can either apply for an extension or permanent settlement in the UK. The Tech Nation Visa can also be extended to your immediate family members
What is the difference between Exceptional Talent and Exceptional Promise?
When you apply for a Global Talent visa, you can choose between Exceptional Talent and Exceptional Promise applications depending on your level of experience:
Exceptional Talent – If you are already a recognised leader and have made a significant contribution / significant contributions to your respective field;
Exceptional Promise – If you are an emerging leader, in other words, you have the potential of becoming a recognised leader and contributing to your respective field.
Applying for endorsement via Exceptional Talent does not preclude you from endorsement under Exceptional Promise; likewise, applying under the Exceptional Promise route does not preclude you from endorsement for Exceptional Talent should you meet the necessary criteria.
Exceptional Talent – If you are already a recognised leader and have made a significant contribution / significant contributions to your respective field;
Exceptional Promise – If you are an emerging leader, in other words, you have the potential of becoming a recognised leader and contributing to your respective field.
Applying for endorsement via Exceptional Talent does not preclude you from endorsement under Exceptional Promise; likewise, applying under the Exceptional Promise route does not preclude you from endorsement for Exceptional Talent should you meet the necessary criteria.
What does the application process consist of?
There are 2 applications stages:
Stage 1 - Application for Tech Nation Endorsement: you apply for Endorsement on the official Global Talent visa website and complete a Tech Nation Visa application form for assessment. An endorsing body assesses your skills, abilities and achievements, and advises the Home Office whether you can be endorsed. This stage takes up to 8 weeks to be processed. Although we usually get a decision much faster - in just 2-3 weeks.
You must submit your Tech Nation application form no more than 15 working days after you submitted your Home Office application. However, if you miss the deadline Tech Nation will first provide you with another one and then simply refund the Application fee, allowing you to resubmit your application.
The Home Office will inform you if you have been endorsed. After a successful endorsement, you can proceed to Stage 2.
Stage 2 - Application for Visa: you must apply on the official Global Talent website within 3 months of receiving your endorsement from Tech Nation. The Home Office reviews your application, considering various immigration aspects. This stage usually takes up to 3 weeks if you're outside the UK, and up to 8 weeks if you're inside the UK
Stage 1 - Application for Tech Nation Endorsement: you apply for Endorsement on the official Global Talent visa website and complete a Tech Nation Visa application form for assessment. An endorsing body assesses your skills, abilities and achievements, and advises the Home Office whether you can be endorsed. This stage takes up to 8 weeks to be processed. Although we usually get a decision much faster - in just 2-3 weeks.
You must submit your Tech Nation application form no more than 15 working days after you submitted your Home Office application. However, if you miss the deadline Tech Nation will first provide you with another one and then simply refund the Application fee, allowing you to resubmit your application.
The Home Office will inform you if you have been endorsed. After a successful endorsement, you can proceed to Stage 2.
Stage 2 - Application for Visa: you must apply on the official Global Talent website within 3 months of receiving your endorsement from Tech Nation. The Home Office reviews your application, considering various immigration aspects. This stage usually takes up to 3 weeks if you're outside the UK, and up to 8 weeks if you're inside the UK
What documents are required for a Tech Nation application?
A completed Tech Nation Visa application form, which includes
- A Personal Statement;
- A CV, containing your experience, contributions to the relevant field, publications, etc.;
- Three letters of recommendation from recognised leaders in the tech industry;
- Up to 10 pieces of evidence in relation to the relevant Eligibility Criteria.
We will assist you in drafting and submitting all the necessary documentation for your application.
What information should my Personal Statement contain?
A Personal Statement must explain the contribution that you will make to the UK digital technology sector. It should contain answers to the following questions:
Why do you want to come to the UK? What do you plan to do in the UK? Which region or city of the UK are you planning to live in?How will the UK digital technology sector benefit from your work?
and any other information that proves your eligibility for a Global Talent Visa.We will draft your Personal Statement after a series of casework calls.
Why do you want to come to the UK? What do you plan to do in the UK? Which region or city of the UK are you planning to live in?How will the UK digital technology sector benefit from your work?
and any other information that proves your eligibility for a Global Talent Visa.We will draft your Personal Statement after a series of casework calls.
What are the requirements for recommendations letters?
- Each letter should be from a senior member of their organisation familiar with your contributions to the digital technology field.
- Each letter must be written especially for your Global Talent application.
- Each letter must reveal how the person knows you, show your achievements in the digital technology sector, and include your plans for the future.
- Each letter must reveal how you would benefit from living in the UK and how you could contribute to the digital technology field in the UK.
- Each letter must be typed, dated and signed by the author, or by someone on behalf of the organisation recommending you.
- Each letter must be up to 3 single sides of A4 paper, excluding the author's credentials and contact details.
- Each letter must include a telephone number and email address, and the organisation's logo and registered address, if applicable.
- Each letter must come with the author's CV (or other proof of their credentials that the endorsing body will accept).
We will draft all the reference letters for your application after a series of casework calls.
Which documents can be provided as evidence of my eligibility?
You should provide:
- Financial documentation and proof of earnings where evidence relates to business ownership, commercial contracts, employment contracts including any bonus and equity options and history of earnings, revenue history, product/market traction, or financing history in the case of investments or funds;
- For work within a startup, the company's capital raised and revenues should be provided. All currencies contained within evidence should be converted to GBP where possible, or a summary of appropriate conversion rates provided;
- Reference letters from leading industry experts;
- News clippings, code commit summaries, repo stars or similar metrics such as download statistics, links to your publications with evidence containing such details as the number of page views, downloads or other quantifiable metrics.
We will help you choose and correctly submit the necessary evidence of your achievements
What are the Eligibility Criteria for an Exceptional Talent application?
For Exceptional Talent there is one mandatory and two optional criteria.
Mandatory criteria - show that you have been recognised as a leading talent in the digital technology sector, which can be evidenced by:
Optional criteria (you need any 2 of 4):
Mandatory criteria - show that you have been recognised as a leading talent in the digital technology sector, which can be evidenced by:
- a reference letter from an industry leader, proving that your work led to the expansion of a digital technology company;
- a reference letter from senior global commercial executives, proving that your projects have brought major commercial success to a product-led digital technology company;
- a compilation of code commit summaries or repo stars, which proves that you have made significant contributions to a substantial open source project;
- media articles, demonstrating that you have been a speaker at high-profile digital technology events.
Optional criteria (you need any 2 of 4):
- Show that you have a 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, which can be evidenced by.
- financial documentation demonstrating revenue growth driven by an innovative product or service;
- the last set of audited accounts, projections for current financial year and articles of association for a start-up you have founded;
- an employment contract with salary information including any bonus and equity options and history of earnings
2. Show that you have been recognised for work beyond your occupation that contributes to the development of the field, which can be evidenced by:- your GitHub profile demonstrating active participation in a collaborative project;
- your Stack Overflow profile showing significant contribution to a discussion;
- a link to your presentation at a high-profile conference displaying a significant viewership;
- a reference letter proving your contribution to mentoring young specialists.
3. Show that you have made significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the field, which can be evidenced by:
- an employment contract with salary information and any bonus and equity options;
- documentation on product designs demonstrating your contribution;
- your GitHub account demonstrating your continuing contribution.
4. Show that you have made academic contributions, research published or endorsed by an expert, which can be evidenced by:- a paper published in a top-tier peer-reviewed journal;
- awards received for outstanding applied work;
- a reference letter from a research supervisor demonstrating your achievements in the academic work.
We will help you choose and correctly submit required documentation
What are the Eligibility Criteria for an Exceptional Promise application?
For Exceptional Promise there is one mandatory and two optional criteria.
Mandatory criteria - show that you have been recognised as having the potential to be a leading talent in the digital technology field, which can be evidenced by:
Mandatory criteria - show that you have been recognised as having the potential to be a leading talent in the digital technology field, which can be evidenced by:
- a reference letter from an industry leader, proving that your work led to the growth of a product inside a digital technology company;
- a reference letter from senior global commercial executives, proving that your projects have enabled substantial revenue and/or customer growth at a product-led digital technology company;
- a compilation of code commit summaries or repo stars, which proves that you have made significant contributions to a substantial open source project;
- media articles, demonstrating that you have been a speaker at high-profile digital technology events.
Optional criteria (you need any 2 of 4):
1. Show that you have made at least 2 innovations as a founder of a product-led digital technology company or as an employee working on a new digital field or concept, which be evidenced by:- financial documentation demonstrating domestic and/or international sales and customer numbers for each country;
- the last set of audited accounts, projections for current financial year and articles of association for a start-up you have founded;
- an employment contract with salary information including any bonus and equity options and history of earnings.
2. Show that you have been recognised for work beyond your occupation that contributes to the development of the field, which can be evidenced by:- any evidence of contributions to an Open Source project;
- your GitHub profile demonstrating active participation in a collaborative project;
- your Stack Overflow profile showing significant contribution to a discussion;
- a link to your presentation at a high-profile conference displaying a significant viewership.
3. Show that you have made significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the field, which can be evidenced by:
- an employment contract with salary information and any bonus and equity options;
- documentation on product designs demonstrating your contribution;
- your GitHub account demonstrating your continuing contribution.
4. Show that you have exceptional ability in the field by academic contributions (at least 2 examples), which can be evidenced by:- a paper published in a top-tier peer-reviewed journal;
- awards received for outstanding applied work;
- a reference letter from a research supervisor demonstrating your achievements in the academic work
We will help you choose and correctly submit required documentation.
What are the application fees?
One person's application fee is £608.
This includes:
*Please note this does not include additional Stage 2 costs such as your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) enrolment fee and healthcare surcharge.
Your application fee will be automatically reduced by £55 if you're from one of the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden or Turkey.
This reduction only applies to your visa application. Your partner and children will still need to pay the full application fee.
This includes:
- Stage 1 – Endorsement Application: £456
- Stage 2 – Visa application: £152*
*Please note this does not include additional Stage 2 costs such as your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) enrolment fee and healthcare surcharge.
Your application fee will be automatically reduced by £55 if you're from one of the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden or Turkey.
This reduction only applies to your visa application. Your partner and children will still need to pay the full application fee.
What do I do if my application is refused by the endorsing body?
If your application for endorsement is unsuccessful and you think that a mistake has been made, you can apply for an Endorsement Review from the relevant endorsement body. If such a case occurs, we will assist you in applying for a Review and appealing the decision.
Or you can submit a new application or make an application under a different immigration route. Both of these options will require you to pay a new application fee.
Or you can submit a new application or make an application under a different immigration route. Both of these options will require you to pay a new application fee.
Does Tech Nation guarantee the confidentiality of all the information provided in my application?
Application data received by Tech Nation will remain strictly private and confidential, being stored and processed on Tech Nation's secure application system. Data will only be accessible to the Home Office, Tech Nation and the independent assessment panel. In accordance with Home Office instructions, Tech Nation will store your data for up to 6 years, after which it will be permanently deleted. You should only share data if you have permission to do so, Tech Nation cannot advise regarding NDA's or whether you should share any particular data.