UK Global Talent Visa: Stage 1 Endorsement Application Process

The UK IT Global Talent visa is a unique opportunity for talented individuals from around the world to come and work in the United Kingdom. The visa is open to individuals who have expertise in digital technology.

To start, we suggest you determine your eligibility for the UK Global Talent Visa by taking our customised Eligibility Test HERE.

Our AI-powered Eligibility Test will clarify your qualifications and we would guide you through the successful endorsement application process.

Let’s get started with some key things to keep in mind when applying for a Global Talent visa endorsement.

Choose the right Endorsing body.

Firstly, it is essential to choose the correct endorsing body for your field of expertise. There are six endorsing bodies to choose from, each with its own specific criteria for endorsing applicants. If you are founder or employee with technological background working in a digital product company, which cover various tech sub-sectors such as edtech, fintech, femtech, AI, etc., you must receive an endorsement from Endorsing body, currently this is a Tech Nation for digital technology.

You will need to demonstrate that you meet specific criteria for endorsement. This could include evidence of publications, awards, patents, media coverage, and recommendations from senior figures in your field.

Endorsement process work/ What you need to know about the Global Talent visa endorsement process

There are two main stages in obtaining a visa in the UK. First, get approval and receive an endorsement from Tech Nation, and then you can apply for a Global Talent Visa.

The initial step is to apply for endorsement on the official Global Talent visa website HERE , and then submit a Tech Nation application for evaluation. Your endorsement application will only be considered valid if you submit your Tech Nation assessment form within 15 working days, which is the official deadline, after submitting your application to the Home Office.

In addition to demonstrating exceptional talent or promise in your field, the endorsing body will also want to see evidence of your commitment to the United Kingdom. Exceptional Talent applies to individuals who have already demonstrated significant leadership and contribution in their field, and Exceptional Promise applies to those who are at the beginning of their careers but have already demonstrated potential to be future leaders and make significant contributions in their field.

Once Tech Nation has endorsed your application, the Home Office will notify you of the result. If your application is successful, you can then proceed with the second stage, which is the visa application process.

Specific list of documents

When preparing your application, it is also essential to ensure that you have all the necessary documentation in place. This could include proof of identity, evidence of your qualifications, a detailed CV, and a personal statement outlining your achievements and future plans.

It is important to note that the endorsing body will only consider your achievements up to the date of your application. So, it is crucial to highlight your most recent and relevant accomplishments in your application.

CV is one of the documents you submit as part of your online Tech Nation application.

Your CV must be between 1-3 pages long Include a short summary outlining your

background and experience

Structure your CV in the right way: (professional experience, education, skills & achievements, other experience)

In order to enhance your application, we recommend you include relevant screenshots, links, and photos from conferences or other professional engagements that showcase your skills and achievements. Additionally, articles or other materials that highlight your talents or potential can be useful in bolstering your application.

Find out if you are eligible for the UK Global Talent Visa by taking our tailored Eligibility Test

START TEST HERE

Personal Statement must explain the contribution that you will make to the UK digital

technology sector. The statement should be relevant and consistent to the rest of your

application.

Questions to answer in your Personal Statement.

As part of the Tech Nation assessment, you will be asked to provide answers to specific questions, as well as any other relevant information. The questions may include the following:

• What is the reason for your interest in coming to the UK?
• What is your intended occupation while in the UK?
• Which region or city in the UK do you plan to reside in?
• How will your work benefit the digital technology sector in the UK?

This information can help to strengthen your application and increase your chances of receiving an endorsement from Tech Nation.

Recommendation letters

To be recognised as a leader or potential leader in the IT sector is the main criterion and requirement for the application. You need to support colleagues, acquaintances, clients, and sponsors. In order to meet this criterion, it is necessary to provide a minimum of four or five letters of recommendation.

This is general requirements for Reference Letters:

• All letters must be from different people.
• All letters must be provided on company’s letterhead.

Important note: Letters which are deemed by Tech Nation to be duplicates or templates, or closely matching the contents of evidence submitted by other applicants, may be considered fraudulent or not acceptable as evidence for endorsement. When seeking letters of recommendation, it is important that the letters contain information that is not readily apparent in your CV. Avoid asking for letters that are too general or lack specific details. Instead, request letters that are well-crafted and offer glowing praise for your abilities and potential. By following this best practice, you can provide the endorsement committee with a more complete picture of your talents and potential, and increase your chances of receiving a positive endorsement.

Additional evidence

To demonstrate that you meet the Eligibility Criteria, you are permitted to provide up to ten pieces of evidence. As outlined by Tech Nation, you are required to provide the following:

Evidence of any commercially successful established businesses, share ownership, or businesses dissolved within the last five years, where you held a senior executive or founder position.

Use the Tech Nation application form to indicate which of your supporting documents correspond to your chosen Eligibility Criteria. If you choose to provide this information in the form of a cover letter, it must be included as one of your ten supporting documents.

By carefully selecting and submitting your evidence, you can present a strong case for your eligibility and increase your chances of receiving a positive endorsement.

Fast track

If you have won an eligible award, you may apply for the visa without first seeking endorsement. Specifically, individuals with expertise in digital technology may qualify for this exemption by winning one of the following awards: the ACM Prize in Computing or the Turing Award. Both of these prestigious awards are presented by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).

If you have proof of being accepted into a current or upcoming program offered by any of the recognized UK accelerator programs listed below, your application may be processed more quickly as a “Fast Track” application, with a decision made within three weeks.

The following listed accelerators are currently eligible for this Fast Track (this includes any active programmes run by these accelerators throughout the UK):

• Creative Destruction Lab
• CyLon
• Entrepreneur First
• Founders Academy
• Founders Factory
• Ignite
• SETsquared

All other options can be viewed on the official website of Tech Nation HERE

Endorsement letter granted

If you are successfully endorsed, you can proceed to apply for the visa (Stage 2). During this stage, the Home Office evaluates immigration-related aspects, including the general grounds for refusal, and whether you are eligible to switch to the Global Talent visa if you are already in the UK.

To learn more about Stage Two, please follow the link to the detailed article HERE