In early 2024, the Home Office confirmed that Tech Nation would remain as the endorsing body for digital technology applications under the Global Talent route, until at least the end of 2024.
What is Tech Nation?
Tech Nation is the endorsing body for applicants in the digital and technology fields of the Global Talent route.
Applicants can apply as ‘leaders’ (exceptional talent – individuals who are already well established in their field) or ‘emerging or potential leaders’ (exceptional promise – individuals with the potential to be well established in their field in the future). This route is largely open to both technical and business applicants.
Generally, applicants would initially submit an application to Tech Nation for endorsement and if successful, the applicant would then be permitted to submit their UK Global Talent visa application.
In January 2024, the government updated the Global Talent digital technology website to include the following confirmation: ‘Tech Nation are continuing to process applications as normal. You can still apply for this visa’. This has been a welcome update following continued scrutiny, confusion, and instability regarding the future of the digital and technology endorsements.
The future of Tech Nation
As can be seen in our previous commentary of Tech Nation in 2022, when Tech Nation evolved as the relevant endorsing body for digital technology based Global Talent applications from its predecessor Tech City, the requirements and guidance swiftly expanded and became significantly more restrictive.
Towards the end of 2024, it is expected that the Home Office will make a decision as to whether Tech Nation will remain as the endorsing body for the Global Talent route, with an extension to their current contract, or whether a new, different endorsing body will apply for the substantial £7.5 million contract.
As with the progressive development and advancement from Tech City to Tech Nation over the last decade, the upcoming years may bring about even more restrictive criteria for digital technology centred Global Talent applicants. Hopefully, a potentially new endorsing body could bring about a more relaxed and flexible approach to the criteria. Heavily controlled yardsticks from Tech Nation could have harmed good quality applications and a more pragmatic approach would be desirable.
Additionally, the Home Office have released an analytical report regarding Global Talent – Global Talent visa evaluation: Wave 2 report. From this report, a considerable portion of 18% of the survey sample were listed as Tech Nation endorsements.
With regards to improving the endorsement process, selected applicants recommended that further guidance could be provided for the route and application process, as discussed in our latest commentary.
It would certainly be beneficial if Tech Nation provided further clarification regarding which documents to submit, in order to demonstrate a number of noteworthy areas, such as ‘significant commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the field’ (in both technical and business roles).
The above suggested changes, as well as the exciting potential of a new endorsing body, could vastly increase diversity and access to the Global Talent route in the future.
How our Immigration Solicitors can help
We are experienced in preparing Global Talent endorsement and immigration applications for individuals spanning a range of industries and sectors. We also prepare challenges in the event that an application has been refused.
If you need further information about the Global Talent route, please contact us or complete our enquiry form below.
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