UK's tech Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa expanded with cap removed

  • The Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa route is being expanded and renamed as the Global Talent visa, specifically to make provisions for Science and Research. 

    It will continue to be open to applicants within digital technology, arts and culture.

    The cap on the visa route has been removed, to ensure that the UK can “attract the best talent from around the world.”

    Tech Nation, the UK network for tech entrepreneurs, remains the endorsing body responsible for processing applications on behalf of the Home Office for the digital technology sector. The endorsing body for Science and Research will be UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). 

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    Over the past four years, demand for jobs in the UK’s digital and tech industry rose almost three times as much as the financial services industry and demand for a Full Stack Developer has more than tripled between 2015 and 2018, according to Tech Nation.

    The tech network added that its Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa has seen rising interest, recording a 44% rise last year in applications compared to the previous year. Since its inception in 2014, the visa has received over 2,400 applications and endorsed over 1,200 visas from over 50 countries worldwide. The countries that recorded the highest amount of visa applications were the US, India, Nigeria and Russia. 

    98% of the applications endorsed by Tech Nation were awarded a visa. The top applications by specialist skills were: Software Engineers, Business Development and Solution Architects. 

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    The most popular applications by sector were: Apps & Software Development, AI & Machine Learning and Fintech. 

    The Tech Nation Global Talent visa is supported by Legal Partners; Kemp Little, Kingsley Napley and Lewis Silkin. These law firms can provide expert immigration advice, application support, and advice on settlement.  

    Ekpemi Anni is a UX Consultant at digital therapeutic platform Bold Health, and commented: "The Tech Nation visa has been invaluable in providing access to a ready-made and supportive network. It has been particularly important to me, especially in terms of mental health, and allowing me to grow in my career as a UX professional in the UK tech sector."

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    Find more info on the visa and how to apply here.

    Source: Written from press release

    About the author

    Niamh is a Sync NI writer with a previous background of working in FinTech and financial crime. She has a special interest in sports and emerging technologies. To connect with Niamh, feel free to send her an email or connect on Twitter.

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