TECH NATION VISA

Join the Global Talent working in UK tech

Are you ready to apply? Legal support Meet our alumni

 Wondering what it means
to work in the UK?

A whole
new tech world Our Tech Nation Visa is the stepping
stone to help you realise your ambition
to live, learn and lead in UK tech.
Here you’ll find the inspiration, innovation and support
you need to drive your career in the right direction, or
set up a thriving tech business with the vision you want.
From building your foundations in the UK to reaching
the pinnacle of success, you’ll have an ever-growing Listen to
network of support right by your side. Peace’s story here
From strength to strength 153 companies on
the path to unicorn
status

Join a country that celebrates your ambition. A perfect blend of tech, talent,
capital and mentorship sets the scene for supercharged growth in the UK’s
digital economy. You’ll find the freedom to experiment, test and iterate new
and exciting ideas and watch them grow from concept to creation.

Over 1/3 of Europe's

Listen to Anita’s story about
unicorns are the in
scaling a business as a the UK
female leader in the UK here
£1.3bn 63% $585bn $20bn
invested in of venture capital is the value of UK’s startup invested in the UK
climate-tech (2020) from overseas and scaleup ecosystem digital economy in 2021

160% £3.8bn 250+ 15%

of UK tech scale-ups
increased investment invested in deeptech in angel investor
currently have one
in UK impact tech the first half of 2021 groups
immigrant founder
Lead
without limitations
Currently there are over 2500 visa holders working in over
900 UK tech businesses. Their skills, cultures and experiences
are something to celebrate. You’ll be able to access them
through our thriving alumni network.
We’re a nation that champions invention and ingenuity,
unlocking opportunities for both founders and employees to
accelerate their development.
I had no doubts about where to start my company but
had the question ‘how?’, given my Tier-2 visa tying me to
my role at Revolut. The Global Talent Visa has been a
great help to my business. I used it to start LiveFlow and
get funding from top investors so that we could create the
product our customers want. The UK is a haven for those
looking to experience endless opportunities and the
thriving tech scene. The country has so much diversity
where people from all backgrounds are welcome.
Anita Koimur
Co-Founder & COO, LiveFlow
Relocated from: Russia

The Global Talent Visa has given me an
excellent opportunity to focus-on and be
with my team for my London-based startup.
It has opened up a lot of opportunities to
grow not only for me but my family too, by
being based here in such a great country.
The depth of the tech landscape, the level
of global exposure, and the diversity within
UK tech are why anyone should take the
opportunity to apply!
Jason Torres
Co-Founder & CTO, SLERP
Relocated from: Philippines
Tech Nation Visa is my gateway to limitless
potential and one of the best communities of
people on the planet. Being on this visa
allowed me to join incredible initiatives and
start my own projects without restrictions in a
country where it will be truly valued. This is a
The UK’s digital tech ecosystem is very
fundamental condition for innovation. I've
strong. Groups that I am a proud member of,
spoken to hundreds of candidates in the past
like the Tech Nation Alumni Network, Women
three years and here is my advice: Change
Who Code, and Women in Data, all provide
your perspective from "Why could I be
networking opportunities and mentoring from
refused" to "Why should I be endorsed" and I
a highly diverse community. This has made
promise that you will give it your best shot.
me feel supported and connected with others
in the tech industry even during a global
pandemic and I look forward to being able to Herman Komashko
pursue an additional venture of tech Technical Lead, Modulr
entrepreneurship in the UK. All of this is only Relocated from: Uzbekistan
possible through the Global Talent visa.
Sarah Gall
Founder & Data Scientist, Sarah C Gall Ltd.
Relocated from: Australia
Hear more from
our Visa alumni here
A global powerhouse
In 2020 and 2021, UK tech companies raised
more investment than France and Germany
combined, highlighting the strength, resilience
and tenacity of the UK’s ecosystem. Alongside
America and China, the UK is leading the
charge when it comes to nurturing innovation
and building billion dollar tech companies.
As we reach investment record-highs,
emerging tech such as Edtech, CreaTech and
Healthtech takes centre stage, proving it’s
never been a more exciting time to work in the
United Kingdom. Global ambition can flourish
with the support of top universities, strong
investors, financial expertise and a timezone
that lends itself to international collaboration.
BenevolentAI is focused on tackling
some really complex problems at the
intersection of science and
technology. We can only rise to the
challenge by having multidisciplinary
teams with diverse thought, ideas and
perspectives, which we can only come
from tapping a global talent pool. So,
when we hire, we’re looking for the
very best people for the job: we’re
looking for a problem-solving mindset,
for a particular set of expertise
and alternative ways of thinking.
Yasmina Rahman
Head of People, Benevolent AI
Introducing the

Tech Nation Visa

If you are a talented
or promising individual
The Tech Nation Visa enables the best tech talent from around the world to work in the UK’s
digital technology sector, contributing cutting-edge expertise, and creativity to the ecosystem. planning to work in the UK
A variety of international skill-sets is embodied by Alumni that have made their journey to the digital economy, the Global
UK, with us right by their side. We can help you integrate within the network, launch your Talent Visa could be
career plans and go from success to success. The likes of software engineers to founders have
the perfect route
taken advantage of all this route has to offer. To simplify it:
for you.

Technical applicants Business applicants

If you’re working as a developer, If you’re working across the tech

engineer or programmer or in any sector in any non-technical role such
technical management role, you as Leadership, Marketing, Operations
can apply. or Finance (etc), you can apply.
Exceptional promise or exceptional talent?
Your unique experiences, skills and achievements are what make you special. We’ve created two pathways for you to let these shine
through when submitting your application.

Exceptional talent Exceptional promise What sets the two routes apart?

Demonstrating that you have exceptional talent includes When it comes to the exceptional - How much experience you
providing evidence that you have been recognised as a promise route, ask yourself the same currently have in the sector
leading talent in the digital technology sector. To get started, questions to gauge whether you could - A 3 year term for exceptional
ask yourself: qualify as having the promise to be a talent, 5 year term for
leading talent in the digital technology exceptional promise
Do I have a proven record of innovation as a founder or senior sector. You can also ask yourself:
executive of a product led digital technology company? Or as To see a comprehensive list of the
an employee, am I innovating in a new digital field? Do I have a strong academic record? evidence you need to provide for
either route, click on each
programme to explore more.
Explore Explore
 Take time to prepare high quality
STAGE 1 application and review guidance
Tech Nation takes up to 8 weeks to assess
Application for Start Complete If Endorsed
Stage 1 fee: £456
Endorsement application on Tech Nation Apply for Visa
official Gov.uk Application form within 3 months Decision returned by gov

Tech Nation not involved with Stage 2

STAGE 2
Gov takes up to 3 weeks to assess

Application for Start Submit Approved Stage 2 fee: £152 (All dependents £608)
Visa application on immigration for Global
official Gov.uk documents Talent Visa! Decision returned by gov
 2,500+
GTV recipients in
the UK right now
Visa route

The visa value

switchers

40%
of all our applicant are
The Global Talent Visa offers freedom, flexibility and is family Visa route switchers
friendly. You won’t be tied down to a particular job, employer or
location, with the opportunity to explore options and grow your
tech career in the way that you want.

Your family can join you on your new adventure in the UK. When it 70%
comes to the exceptional talent route, your visa will be granted for Applicant employees
three years with the option to then apply for permanent residence. profile
This is also true for the exceptional promise route, except the visa
will be granted for five years. For both routes this could be the last
visa you ever apply for, before calling the UK your forever home. 30%
founders
Settling in to success
We bring the best global talent to top UK tech companies
Over 900 businesses currently have at least one
Tech Nation visa alumni working to drive impact
within the UK digital ecosystem
We're focused on tackling some really complex
problems at the intersection of science and
technology. We can only rise to the challenge
by having multidisciplinary teams with diverse
thought, ideas and perspectives, which can
only come from tapping a global talent pool.
So, when we hire, we’re looking for the very
best people for the job: we’re looking for a
problem-solving mindset, for a particular set of
expertise and alternative ways of thinking.
Yasmina Rahman
People Director, Benevolent AI
The next steps
Now is the time to plan ahead and consider your options. Here
are a few resources to help make the right decisions for you:

Are you ready to apply?

Legal support Meet our alumni