Tier 1

Exceptional Talent Visa

for Digital Technology

technation.io/visa
contentS Choose UK
the best place to be a
Choose UK 3
digital tech leader
What is the Tech Nation Visa? 4
What are the eligibility criteria? 6
How to Apply 7
75.5% employment rate
Tech Nation Visa in numbers 8
Testimonials 10
1.87m digital tech jobs
other visa routes 11

220,000 UK tech companies

£184bn annual turnover in 2017

£

£4.46bn invested in UK tech

companies in 2017

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What is the
Who is the Tech The Tech Nation Visa welcomes individuals who are exceptionally
Nation Visa for? talented or show exceptional promise to join the UK’s digital
technology sector.

Tech Nation
How many visas Tech Nation is allocated 200 visas per year (from April to April) for
are available? digital technology applications but has the ability to endorse up
to a further 1000 if required.

Visa?
Do I need a job You do not need a job offer in the UK in order to apply. You will
offer to apply? be assessed solely on your skills, expertise and how you intend to
benefit the UK’s digital tech sector.
Am I eligible There are two routes available to cater for different levels of
to apply? experience.

Exceptional Talent: proven to be a recognised leader

The Tech Nation Visa, officially known as the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa,
enables the brightest and best tech talent from around the world to come Exceptional Promise: proven to be an emerging leader.
and work in the UK’s digital technology sector, contributing their cutting- What is the The application process is in 2 stages:


edge expertise, creativity and innovation to maintaining the UK’s position at application
the forefront of the global digital economy. process? Stage 1: Application for Endorsement – up to 8 weeks to be
processed. You must apply for endorsement on the Gov.uk website
and then complete a Tech Nation Visa application form for
The Tech Nation Visa is for founders and employees with technical or assessment.
business backgrounds, including all tech sub-sectors like fintech, AI, cyber,
and games. The visa is valid for up to 5 years and 4 months, enabling you to If you are successful in receiving endorsement from Tech Nation,
work, change employers, or be self-employed, without the need for further you can proceed to apply for the visa.
authorisation. The Tech Nation Visa can be extended to your immediate
Stage 2: Application for Visa – up to 3 weeks out of country and 8
family members and after the initial visa period you can either apply for an
weeks in country. Tech Nation is not involved in Stage 2.
extension or permanent settlement in the UK.
How long can I The visa can be granted for up to 5 years for applications made
stay in the UK? from inside the UK, or 5 years and 4 months for applications from
If you are exceptionally talented or show exceptional promise and want to
outside the UK.
work in the UK’s digital technology sector, the Tech Nation Visa is for you.
Can I apply for You may be eligible for Settlement under this visa route. The
settlement in qualifying period depends on whether your visa is granted under
the UK? the criteria for either Exceptional Talent (3 years) or Exceptional
Promise (5 years).
Can I bring my Dependants are allowed to join you in the UK subject to
family with me to requirements.
the UK?
How much does Stage 1: £456
it cost to apply?
Stage 2: £152

This does not include additional costs such as your Biometric

Residence Permit (BRP) enrolment fee and NHS surcharge.
Where can You should read the official policy guidance and Tech Nation Visa
I get more guide prior to making an application.
information?

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What are the eligibility criteria?
Exceptional Talent
Key Criteria
(you must meet at least one of
the following)
1. Have a proven track record of innovation
in the digital technology sector as either a
director/founder 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 digital technology
sector. For example, evidence that you
have gone beyond your day to day job to
engage in an activity that contributes to the
advancement of the sector.
How To Apply
STAGE 1
Qualifying Criteria
(you must meet at least two of Applying for Endorsement
the following)
1. Have made significant technical,
commercial, or entrepreneurial contributions
as either a founder, entrepreneur or employee Review the Official Guidance and Tech Nation Visa Guide.
of a digital technology company.
2. Have been recognised as a leading talent
Online Home Office Application for Endorsement form.
in the digital technology sector.
Includes payment of fees
3. Have undertaken continuous learning/
mastery of new digital skills (commercial or
technical) throughout your career. Online Tech Nation Application for Endorsement form.
Provide supporting evidence.
4. Have demonstrated exceptional ability in
the field by making academic contributions
through research published or otherwise
endorsed by a research supervisor or other Tech Nation assesses your application for endorsement
expert. within approximately 8 weeks

Exceptional Promise If you are endorsed, Tech Nation will In the event you are not endorsed,
notify the Home Office, who notify you you have 3 options
Key Criteria Qualifying Criteria
(you must meet at least one of (you must meet at least two of
the following) the following) 1. Apply for a review: Tech Nation will
STAGE 2 reconsider your application. The
1. Provide two or more examples of innovation 1. Have made significant technical, decision that follows this review is final.
commercial, or entrepreneurial contributions
in the digital technology sector as a
as either a founder or entrepreneur or
founder or an employee working in a clearly
employee of a digital technology company.
evidenced new digital field or concept. For 2. You can re-apply through the
example, a patent application. same route again, which allows you
2. Have been recognised as having the
to add new evidence. You’ll have to
2. Proof of recognition for work outside your potential to be a leading talent in the digital You apply for a visa through pay the fee again.
immediate occupation that has contributed technology sector.
to the advancement of the digital technology
the Home Office
3. Have undertaken continuous learning /
sector. For example, evidence that you Tech Nation is NOT involved 3. You can apply for entry through
mastery of new digital skills (commercial or in this process.
have gone beyond your day to day job to another route
engage in an activity that contributes to the technical) throughout your career.
advancement of the sector.
4. Provide two or more examples of
exceptional ability in the field by making You can find detailed guidance about how to apply in The Guide for
academic contributions through research Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa for Digital Technology:
endorsed by a research supervisor or other
technation.io/visa/guide
expert.

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Tech Nation Visa in numbers
received

68%
between
April 2014
and
March

900+
endorsement 2018

RUSSIA 5% 30% rate

applications
Global representation of
applicants to the Tech Nation
Visa between April 2014 and
EMEA
Applicants type:
March 2018
NIGERIA 9%
60% Employees

30% Entrepreneurs
2%
CHINA 10% Other
SOUTH
SOUTH
AFRICA
KOREA 3%
INDIA

CANADA 25% Top skills of applicants

MEXICO

TRINIDAD
& TOBAGO
USA 18%
COLOMBIA VENEZUELA
ECUADOR AUSTRALIA 4% 26%
BRAZIL 37% Software
Engineering

22% 6%
Other

CHILE 42% 14%

Business Dev
6%
NORTH LATIN Marketing
8% 9%
AMERICA AMERICA APAC Data obtained from Tech Data
Product
Nation Visa applications Science
between April 2014 and
March 2018
Testimonials
Anurag Jain
Nationality: Indian
I genuinely believe that with it’s leadership in financial services, the UK
is best suited to lead disruption in this sector through FinTech. It is home
to not only the decision makers but also a large workforce with deep
domain knowledge in financial services. With my expertise and interest in
FinTech, it was a no brainer that I have to be in the UK.
It gives me the freedom and choice to work in the UK by taking on
projects that I am passionate about and have a keen interest in. In the
past year, I have already worked on three very diverse projects, including
one with a very early stage startup and one with a very large investment
bank.
Lisa Gray
Nationality: Australian
I chose the UK because I believed it had one of the most diverse
communities in the world and with diversity comes the best creativity. I’d
also admired the work in media tech that had come out of the UK and
wanted to contribute to that.
The Tech Nation Visa has given me the flexibility to not only work with a
variety of leading businesses but also to realise my dream of setting up
my own company – enabling me to strengthen my global portfolio and
bring opportunities back to where I now call home – the UK!
Udi Nachmany
Nationality: Israeli
Coming from the buzzing Israeli tech scene some years ago, I was excited
at UK’s prospects as an emerging global tech hub and wanted to support
this journey. The Tech Nation Visa allowed me the flexibility to build a
portfolio of activities — full-time job, consulting, and pro bono mentoring
— and to maximise my personal impact with UK-based companies.
Looking forward, I believe that talent will become the number one
constraint for UK tech, and this visa serves as a great foundation.
Meet the Tech Nation Visa Ambassadors
Other Visa Routes
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa
You can apply for this route if you want to set up or run a business in the UK. There are
different eligibility requirements depending on whether you have access to £50,000 or
£200,000. You can form an ‘entrepreneurial team’ with one other Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)
applicant and share the same investment fund.
Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa
You can apply for this route if you are a graduate with a UK-recognised bachelor’s
degree, master’s degree or PhD who has been officially endorsed as having a genuine
and credible business idea. You must also have £945 in savings if applying from inside
the UK, or £1,890 if applying from outside the UK.
Tier 1 (Investor) visa
You can apply for this route if you want to invest £2,000,000 or more in the UK. You
must be able to prove that the money belongs to either you or your spouse/partner.
The funds must be held in one or more regulated financial institution either in the UK
or overseas. You must also have opened a UK bank account.
Tier 2 (General) visa
You can apply for this route if you’ve been offered a skilled job in the UK. Your
employer must be a licensed sponsor. As part of the recruitment process, your sponsor
checks that you can do the job they’re hiring you for and if it qualifies you for a visa.
They’ll assign you a certificate of sponsorship to prove this.
Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) visa
You can apply for this route if your overseas employer has offered you a role in a UK
branch of the organisation. Your employer must be a licensed sponsor. Your sponsor
checks that you can do the job they’re hiring you for and if it qualifies you for a visa.
They’ll assign you a certificate of sponsorship to prove this.

Successful visa applicants are welcome to join the Tech Nation Visa
Alumni Network. The network is run by alumni members and overseen You can find more information about all available visa routes here:
by our Ambassadors in partnership with Tech Nation. If you have been
approved for a visa and wish to join the network, or are interested in
www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
becoming an Ambassador, please see the Tech Nation Visa website for
more information.

technation.io/visa/alumni

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In association with