Digital technology endorsement advice
Specialist advice for technology founders, senior product leaders, engineers and digital specialists considering the Global Talent route. We help review endorsement evidence, career achievements and application strategy.
Request immigration advice
Tell us about your current visa position, timing and next steps. We will come back to you during working hours.
Digital technology professionals may be able to apply for the Global Talent route if they can show recognised leadership or emerging leadership in the technology sector and meet the relevant endorsement requirements.
NA Law Solicitors can help with: digital technology evidence review, endorsement strategy, achievement mapping and application planning. Related advice: HNW immigration, Global Talent, Innovator Founder and Global Business Mobility.
For individuals who work in the digital technology sector such as financial technology (FinTech), gaming, cybersecurity or artificial intelligence, you may qualify for a Global Talent visa if you are considered to be a leader or potential leader in your field.
Read our Global Talent visa homepage for an overview.
(If you have an eligible award this stage does not apply to you. Please see stage 1).
The designated endorsing body by the Home Office which assesses applications of the digital technology background is Tech Nation. They will decide whether you meet the criteria required for the Global Talent visa.
Your background can be in either:
– Technical, e.g. a developer, engineer, or data scientist.
– Business, e.g. having commercial, investment, or digital product expertise in a technology company that creates software.
The full list of eligible roles for the digital technology route can be found on the government website.
Tech Nation will require you to demonstrate that you have a successful track record as an innovator in the digital technology field by either showing:
– You are recognised as a leader in the digital tech industry (Exceptional Talent)
– You have the potential to be a leader in the digital tech industry (Exceptional Promise).
Eligibility Criteria:
1) Exceptional Talent – An individual applying as an exceptional talent in digital technology must show:
● They are recognised by others as being a leading talent; and
● Provide evidence of at least two of the following:
– The individual as a record of innovation where they have founded or had a senior position in a product-led digital company
– The individual has a record of innovation where they’ve worked and an employee in a new digital field or concept
– The individual has contributed to the digital technology sector beyond their work e.g. mentoring or collaborative project
– The individual has set up or worked in a product-led digital technology company and made contributions to the overall digital sector through technical, commercial or entrepreneurial impact
– The individual has had their research published or endorsed by an expert
– Evidence that you have been recognised as a leading talent in the digital technology sector must be within the last 5 years.
2) Exceptional Promise – An individual applying an exceptional promise must show:
● They’ve been recognised as being a potential talent in digital technology; and
● Provide evidence of at least two of the following:
– Show at least 2 examples of innovation where the individual has set up a product-led digital company
– Show at least 2 examples of innovation where the individual has worked as an employee in a new digital field or concept
– The individual has contributed to the digital technology sector beyond their work e.g. mentoring or collaborative project
– The individual has set up or worked in a product-led digital technology company and made contributions to the overall digital sector through technical, commercial or entrepreneurial impact
– The individual has had 2 examples of their research being published or endorsed by an expert.
Evidence that you have been recognised as a potential talent in the digital technology sector must be within the last 5 years and you must be at an early stage in your career (a graduate or an individual who has less than 5 years of experience).
Total Fee
If you have an eligible award the total fee is £608 which you will pay in full when you apply for the visa.
Otherwise, payment is done in two parts:
● £456 when you apply for the endorsement
● £152 when you apply for the visa itself
If you are including any dependants in your application, they will also need to pay £608 each.
An individual applying for an endorsement to Tech Nation will need to provide the following:
1. An up-to-date CV that includes relevant publication history and career.
2. Three letters of recommendation from 3 different organisations that Tech Nation judges as established in digital technology. A letter of recommendation must include the following:
● Must be about your Global Talent visa application, you cannot use a letter that was written for another purpose,
● Must explain how they know you (the applicant),
● Must evidence knowledge of your achievements in the relevant field; and
● How do they consider you to show exceptional talent or promise,
● Must explain how they believe you will contribute to the UK digital economy.
3. Proof of any digital technology business that the individual has set up or been a senior member of in the last 5 years.
4. Evidence to support eligibility criteria as explained above. See here for more details on accepted evidence.
The decision on whether the application is successful will then take a maximum of 8 weeks.
If your endorsement application is successful, you can then complete and submit your Global Talent visa application. The application fee is £152. You will also have to pay a biometric and immigration health surcharge fee. If you have dependents they will also have to pay this fee.
The general processing time for the Global Talent Visa application is up to three weeks if applying from outside the UK and up to eight weeks if you are applying from inside the UK. For individuals who have applied as exceptional talent the processing time will be faster.
If you are unsuccessful you have the option to appeal. This must be done within 28 calendar days. The assessor will thereafter also have 28 calendar days to review your appeal and make a decision.
If your appeal is successful you will get an endorsement letter of approval and can then go forward with the Home Office visa application.
Our experts will answer any questions you may have about your eligibility under this Global Talent visa route and guide you carefully through the process. You will be provided with a cost-effective and personalised service tailored to ensure that your application has the highest chance of success. Contact us now for a consultation.
