The Global Talent Visa — notes on the application process
What follows is NOT AN OFFICIAL GUIDE but instead I am sharing a set of personal notes on the UK GTV application process that I wrote for a friend on 6 March 2020. They will probably be out of date pretty quickly and contain various errors. If you are going to apply for a GTV please follow the UK Government’s advice and don’t follow this.
Hi mate, from what I can tell if you want to get a Global Talent Visa and you are a professional software engineer then you need to get endorsement from both the UK Home Office and “Tech Nation” (this is the part of the UK Home Office that assesses applications from professionals with “expertise in digital technology”). You need to complete both an endorsement form to show that you are either:
- a leader (exceptional talent)
- an emerging leader (exceptional promise)
- eligible for the under the UK Research and Innovation funder option
Sometimes the “Global Talent Visa” is called the “Tech Nation Visa”, they are the same thing.
LINKS
https://technation.io/visa-tech-nation-visa-guide https://www.gov.uk/global-talent https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-applications-under-global-talent
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Global Talent Visa is for founders and employees with technical skills for example:
DevOps / SysOps engineers; Principal software engineers/developers; Experienced data scientists/data engineers; Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language; Processing and Machine Learning experts (AI, NLP, ML); Cybersecurity experts; Hardware engineers; Experienced front-end developers; Operating systems engineers; Experienced video game developers; Experienced UX/UI designers; Experienced Mobile App developers; Experienced back end developers leading development of, or contributing heavily to major new technologies or open-source projects (e.g. blockchain, Scala, Golang, Elasticsearch etc); CTO or VP engineering experience managing teams of in-house employees at a growing digital business; Virtual and augmented reality developers
LENGTH OF VISA?
The visa is valid for up to 5 years, and gives you freedom to work for any company or be self employed
The visa can be extended to your immediate family members and after the initial visa period
You can either apply for an extension or permanent settlement in the UK.
HOW MUCH IS THIS VISA?
About £608 if you don’t use a solicitor
The Endorsement Application (Stage 1) is £456 and the Home Office Visa application (Stage 2) : £152
And you will also have to pay for a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) and the NHS surcharge)
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
Approx. 9–12 weeks processing time
Stage 1: Application for Endorsement : takes up to 8 weeks to be processed
Stage 2: Application for Visa : takes approximately 3 weeks to be processed
The Fast Track option : If you have been accepted onto one of the following 12 UK accelerator programmes Stage 1 of your visa application will be processed 1–2 weeks faster:
Barclays Accelerator, Bethnal Green Ventures, Collider, CyLon, Enterpreneur First, Founders Academy, Founders Factory, Ignite, Microsoft for Startups, SETsquared, Startupbootcamp, techstars, Wayra and zinc
WHAT IF YOU ARE NOT ENDORSED?
You either apply for a Review OR Reapply through the same route by adding new evidence and paying another fee OR Apply through another route
FIVE BASIC STEPS TO APPLY
Step 1 “STAGE 1 : Apply for Endorsement from BOTH the Home Office and Tech Nation”. Make sure you’re eligible by reading the Official guidance (https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk/product/global-talent-endorsement) and the Tech Nation Visa guide (https://technation.io/visa-tech-nation-visa-guide)
Step 2 Complete the Home Office “Application for Endorsement form” (includes a Fee)
Step 3 Complete the Tech Nation “Application form”. Choose from the 2 options of endorsement by Tech Nation as either “Exceptional Talent” (for experienced professionals) or “Exceptional Promise” (applicants with a career of 5 yrs or less). Applicants for both Exceptional Talent and Exceptional Promise must meet 1 of the Key criteria and 2 of the Qualifying Criteria (see below)
Step 4 Wait for Tech Nation to endorse you (takes up to 8 weeks to be processed)
Step 5 “STAGE 2 : Apply for Visa” through the UK Home Office (takes up to 3 weeks to be processed)
TECH NATION VISA CHECKLIST
x1 Completed Tech Nation Visa application form
x1 Curriculum Vitae (max 3 pages)
x3 Letters of Recommendation
x10 pieces of evidence demonstrating you meet the Eligibility Criteria
QUALIFYING CRITERIA FOR “EXCEPTIONAL TALENT” ENDORSEMENT
Applicants for Exceptional Talent must meet 1 of the Key criteria and 2 of the Qualifying Criteria:
Key Criteria (pick one of these)
1. Have a proven track record of innovation in the digital technology sector as a director or founder of a digital technology company or an employee working in a new digital field or concept that must be clearly evidenced
2. Proof of recognition for work outside your immediate occupation that has contributed to the advancement of the sector (e.g. evidence that you have gone beyond your day to day profession to engage in an activity that contributes to the advancement of the sector)
Qualifying Criteria (pick two of these)
1. Have made significant technical, commercial, or entrepreneurial contributions in the digital technology sector as either a founder, entrepreneur or employee of a digital technology company
2. Have been recognised as a leading talent in the digital technology sector
3. Have undergone continuous learning/mastery of new digital skills (commercial or technical) throughout your career
4. Have demonstrated exceptional ability in the field by making academic contributions through research published or otherwise endorsed by a research supervisor or other expert
QUALIFYING CRITERIA FOR “EXCEPTIONAL PROMISE” ENDORSEMENT
Applicants for Exceptional Promise must meet 1 of the Key criteria and 2 of the Qualifying Criteria:
Key Criteria (pick one of these)
1. Provide more than one example of innovation in the digital technology sector as a founder of a digital technology sector company or an employee working in a new digital field or concept that must be clearly evidenced
2. Proof of recognition for work outside your immediate occupation that has contributed to the advancement of the sector (e.g. evidence that you have gone beyond your day to day profession to engage in an activity that contributes to the advancement of the sector)
Qualifying Criteria (pick two of these)
1. Have made significant technical, commercial, or entrepreneurial contributions in the digital technology sector as either a founder, entrepreneur or employee of a digital technology company
2. Have been recognised as having the potential to be a leading talent in the digital technology sector
3. Have undergone continuous learning/mastery of new digital skills (commercial or technical) throughout your career
4. Provide more than one example of exceptional ability in the field by making academic contributions through research endorsed by a research supervisor or other expert
