The UK’s Global Talent route for tech experts

With the AI revolution underway and the number of tech companies tripling in the past 10 years, the UK is on its way to being a tech superpower. The UK attracts and needs candidates who are experts in digital technology and in operating digital businesses.

One of the main immigration options available for such experts, is the Global Talent route. We explore this route below in more detail, for digital tech and digital business leaders in particular.

What is the Global Talent route?

The Global Talent route is for exceptionally talented (world-leading) or exceptionally promising (potentially world-leading) applicants in a number of fields including technical areas such as:

• DevOps / SysOps engineers;
• Software engineers;
• Cybersecurity experts;
• Video game developers;
• UX/UI designers; and
• Mobile App developers.

There are also business tech areas available including:

• C Suite in a SMEs + (CEO, CMO, CIO) or head of operations for a digital business;
• Sector-specific experience including in FinTech and EdTech;
• Solution sales experts;
• Product Manager; and
• SaaS or enterprise sales leadership for digital services.

What can you do under the Global Talent route?

If granted permission under the Global Talent route, you can:

• Work for any employer
• Work as a director of a company
• Be self-employed
• Change jobs without notifying the Home Office
• Carry out voluntary work
• Study
• Extend your stay in the UK indefinitely, providing you continue to meet the requirements of the scheme

How do I apply?

You would need to obtain an endorsement from the relevant ‘endorsing body’, confirming you are either exceptionally talented or exceptionally promising in the field. The endorsing body for tech is  currently Tech Nation.

Requirements to be met

You would need to meet the mandatory criteria and at least two of the four optional criteria.

Mandatory criteria

You would need to demonstrate you are a leader or potential leader within the tech sector in the last five years. Examples of how to meet this criteria includes:

• You led the growth or marketing and business development of a product-led digital technology company;
• Outside of your normal day-to-day job role, you led or were a significant contributor to a substantial open source project;
• You have received nationally or internationally recognised prizes or awards for digital tech excellence;
• You have evidence of speaking at high-profile digital tech events, or specialist events, or hold an expert role participating on panels;
• You have published material in professional or major trade publications or major media about your tech work; and
• You command a high salary.

In many cases a letter from a leading industry expert is required. If relying on a high salaried role, an employment contract should be provided, and ideally there should be evidence of further recognition from within the sector, such as media recognition.

Qualifying criteria 

You would need to meet two of the four criteria below:

1. Innovation

You can provide evidence of innovation in any genuine and significant product-led digital technology businesses that you have established as a founder or senior executive in the last five years. 

The documents to provide include evidence of product development, domestic and international sales, revenue as well as audited accounts.

Alternatively, you can rely on being an employee working in a new digital field or concept. This can be more difficult to meet, and evidence of high level innovation, such as a patent application, is often required.

2. Work that advances the field

Evidence of work that advances the field is a popular option. 

The work should be outside your usual field and evidence can include mentorship schemes, lecturing and teaching, and contributory projects. 

Changes to the guidance means that the evidence to provide regarding ‘mentorship’ is specific, and you would have to evidence your mentorship as part of a structured programme with a selection criteria.

3. Significant contribution

This is different to the Innovation qualifying criteria as you need to demonstrate ‘impact, not necessarily innovation’.

If applying as a technical applicant, you can provide evidence of leading in the development of high-impact digital products or services, starting or contributing to open source projects or evidence of working as a key engineer. 

If applying as a business applicant, you can provide evidence of having played a key role in the growth of a product-led digital technology company, or having founded a successful product-led digital technology organisation.

Letters from employers and product designs are specified as example documents to demonstrate this criteria. 

Ideally the evidence provided here would be different to that provided for Innovation- generally the more diverse an application is, the stronger it is.

4. Academic contribution

To meet this criteria you would usually have to provide evidence of top tier academic publications, presentations or awards, and can provide a letter of support from a research supervisor.

This criteria is designed for those who normally work within academia, and a trade publication may not be sufficient.

Other requirements

There is a limit to the number of documents to provide to meet the above requirements, and it can be difficult to select the most relevant materials.

Three letters of support from well-established individuals, a CV and a personal statement must also be provided.

How can we help?

The Global Talent visa is one of the most flexible immigration options. You are not tied to a particular role or employer and can pursue your own interests.

The endorsement process can be challenging, as applicants must demonstrate that their work is world-leading or potentially world-leading.

Our team of immigration specialists can:

• Carry out a thorough review of your eligibility
• Offer hands-on support when preparing and submitting both your endorsement and immigration application
• Advise on the documents you need to ensure your application has the best chance of success.

If you would like assistance with a Global Talent application, or any other personal or business immigration matter, please contact a member of the team.