A Guide To The Global Talent Visa For Digital Technology

The Global Talent Visa (the Digital Technology route) is a specialised immigration pathway designed specifically for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional talent or promise in the digital technology sector.

We dive into what you need to know about the Digital Technology Global Talent visa route in detail, including eligibility criteria and the endorsement process.

The Global Talent visa for individuals in Digital Technology

If you're in digital technology, the focus is on your contributions to fields like fintech, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and gaming. Here, you'll need to show that you've played a key role in a technology company or project that's had a wide impact.

Demonstrating leadership, innovation and collaboration in the tech space is crucial. For instance, if you've helped develop a ground-breaking software product or led a successful startup, these are achievements that could get you endorsed.

Mentoring or contributing to community projects within the tech sector also holds weight in your application.

Eligibility criteria for the Digital Technology Global Talent visa

It is first important to identify the correct digital route for you:

1. Technical applicants must demonstrate proven technical expertise with the latest technologies in building, using, deploying or exploiting a technology stack and building technical infrastructure.
   
   
2. Business applicants must demonstrate a proven commercial, investment, or product expertise in building digital products or leading investments in significant digital product businesses.

Tech Nation provides a non-exhaustive list of roles and skills. Its definition of the "digital technology sector" covers businesses that provide a proprietary digital technical service/product/platform/hardware as their primary revenue source. The creation of software, processing/storage of data, or the creation/application of technical computing hardware is often a central aspect of their business model.

Work in outsourcing and tech-related consultancy is generally excluded since they focus on process and service delivery or solutions and systems architecture.

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Mandatory and optional criteria for a digital technology global talent visa

Applicants must meet either one mandatory and two optional criteria from the separate exceptional talent and exceptional promise lists.

An applicant evidencing exceptional talent must show they have been recognised as a leading talent in the digital technology sector in the last 5 years and provide at least 2 pieces of evidence for two of the following:

• A proven track record for innovation as a founder or senior executive of a product-led digital technology company or as an employee working on a new digital field or concept.
  
  
• Proof of recognition for work beyond the applicant's occupation that contributes to the advancement of the field.
  
  
• They have made significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the field as a founder, senior executive, board member or employee of a product-led digital technology company.
  
  
• They have demonstrated exceptional ability in the field by academic contributions through research published or endorsed by an expert.

For exceptional promise, an applicant must be at an early stage in their career and show they have been recognised as having potential to be a leading talent in the last 5 years by providing at least 2 pieces of evidence for 2 of the following:

• Innovation as a founder of a product led digital technology company or as an employee working on a new digital field or concept.
  
  
• A proof of recognition for work beyond the applicant's occupation that contributes to the advancement of the field.
  
  
• They have made significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the field as a founder or employee of a product-led digital technology company.
  
  

They have demonstrated exceptional ability in the field by academic contributions through research endorsed by an expert.

Evidence needed for a Digital Technology Global Talent Visa

When applying for the Global Talent Visa under the Digital Technology route, applicants must provide strong evidence demonstrating their achievements, expertise and impact in the tech sector.

Personal Statement

Most important is a Personal Statement that explains the contribution you will make to the UK's digital technology sector. It should answer the following questions:

• Why do you want to come to the UK?
• What is your planned occupation in the UK?
• Which region or city of the UK are you planning to live in?
• How will the UK digital technology sector benefit from your work? (Examples of this might include the technological advances you will bring, the creation of new markets, the planned growth of a digital technology company, the activities you will take part in outside of your direct occupation).

You must also provide a CV, limited to 3 sides of A4.

Letters of Recommendation

Lastly, you must collate three letters of recommendation. These should be from well-established individuals acknowledged as experts in their field, who have detailed knowledge of your work over a period of 12+ months. Each letter should give different examples to show your skills, achievements, experience and contribution to the sector.

As with other routes, the letter must be bespoke to your application, contain certain specified information about the author, and be signed and dated.

Evidence Portfolio

Finally, you must put together a portfolio of up to 10 pieces of evidence demonstrating your eligibility. At least 2 mandatory documents to show you are recognised as a leading or potential talent, and at least 4 optional documents showing you have any two of the other necessary skills.

Full details, including examples, are set out on the Tech Nation website, and are subject to updating. Key points to remember when putting together your supporting evidence are:

Mandatory criteria

• Your aim is to show that you have extraordinary ability through recognition - nationally or internationally - which places you at the forefront of your field.
  
  
• Evidence should show a sustained and consistent level of activity.
  
  
• Substantial involvement in broader industry initiatives including open source projects is highly regarded.
  
  
• Prizes, published material and speaking at high-profile events similarly so.
  
  
• If you have commanded a high salary this may be relied upon alongside proof of your impact in the sector.
  
  

Optional criteria

• Demonstrate that you have a proven track record of innovation as founder or senior executive of a product-led digital technology company or an employee working in a new digital field or concept.
  
  
• Demonstrate that you have been recognised for your work outside your immediate occupation that contributed to the advancement of the digital technology sector.
  
  
• Demonstrate that you have made a significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contribution as founder, senior executive, board member or employee.
  
  
• Demonstrate exceptional ability through academic contributions and research.