The Tech Nation Visa Scheme Is Now Live!

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Last Updated: 4, June 2024
Tech City UK Blog

Attracting the best and brightest tech talent to the UK got easier today as the Home Office has published renewed eligibility criteria for the Tech Nation Visa Scheme (Tier 1 Exceptional Talent)

 

Following the announcement of plans to revise the criteria on 16th October 2015, the visa route is now officially open for applications under the new eligibility criteria. Here is an interactive flow chart of the process:

 

 
As Tech City UK endeavours to help digital businesses thrive at every stage in their lifecycle, we have recognised that attracting talent from outside of the EU is key to ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of the global digital economy.

 

The new eligibility criteria include specific provisions to enable companies to get the right talent in a quicker and more efficient way. Whether you are an individual with very specific technical knowledge, a team of exceptional individuals who has demonstrated success or an individual contributing to one of the Northern cities, your application will now be fast-tracked with Tech City UK reviewing your application in 18 days.

 

Furthermore, we have recognised that certain individuals who demonstrate the potential to become the next generation of leaders in the field of digital technology have slipped through the cracks. This route is now open to candidates, who although assessed against the same criteria, will be considered to have ‘Exceptional Promise.’ This aims to open the route to a broader base of aspiring talent from outside the EU.

 

For more information please visit our dedicated Tech Nation Visa Scheme page.

 

Tech City UK is one of five Designated Competent Bodies appointed by the Home Office to review applications from individuals wishing to enter the country under Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa route. The organisation evaluates applications in the area of Digital Technology. A full summary of the Visa routes for the tech sector are below:

 


Still unclear on where to start? Need some guidance? Email us at [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.