WHAT ARE THE GLOBAL TALENT VISA REQUIREMENTS IN 2022?

The requirements for obtaining the Global Talent Visa are less complicated than they seem to be. Tech Nation splits the general requirements for digital tech talents into two groups depending on the visa subcategory. These subcategories are based on the applicant’s expertise level (Exceptional Talent and Exceptional Promise) and should be chosen before the endorsement application. Read our blogpost to learn whether you are a Talent or a Promise candidate.

EXCEPTIONAL TALENTS – WHO ARE THEY?

• Uniquely talented and recognised leaders
• Possessing a track record of achievements in digital technology
• Usually holding senior positions and managing large-scale projects within the companies they work for

Here are the Global Talent Visa requirements for Exceptional Talents:

1. To demonstrate significant turnover of the companies they worked for or founded
2. To provide evidence of other meaningful input to their field
3. It’s not a must, but normally Talent applicants have 5+ years of experience

EXCEPTIONAL PROMISES – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

• Emerging, future leaders
• Having a certain potential to become Exceptional Talents
• Contributing to the digital tech industry as future leaders

Here are the Global Talent Visa requirements for Exceptional Promises:

• To demonstrate considerable achievements and impact to the product-led digital companies they work for
• To be in the early career stage having less than 5 years of experience in the field (which is, in this case, a must)

The key distinction between the subcategories therefore lies in the applicant’s experience. Once more, there’s no way to apply as a Promise with 5+ years of experience in a tech sector, but it's possible to apply as a Talent with less than 5 years of experience.

Tech Nation – the official Home Office endorsing body – is trusted to assess applications from digital tech professionals and endorse candidates. A candidate has to meet three of Tech Nation’s criteria:

• one mandatory
• two out of four optional

Mandatory:

• Recognition of the applicant as a (potential) leader in the IT industry

Two optional criteria from the following list:

1. Significant contribution to the industry
2. Innovation
3. Recognition for the work outside of immediate occupation
4. Academic contribution

Regardless of the subcategory, an applicant must meet the requirements to show they are talented tech leaders or have the potential to become one (the mandatory criterion). Exceptional Talent applicants are required to submit a track record of evidence for the optional criteria, while Exceptional Promise candidates must give at least one example of significant contribution, innovation, academic contribution, recognition for the work outside of immediate occupation.

A great advantage of the Global Talent Visa is that candidates for both subcategories DON’T need to provide:

• A college degree, since academic qualifications will not be considered (unless you have a PhD, in that case – bring it on!)
• A job offer from a British employer
• A business idea or funding
• Any English language test result or certificate
• Maintenance funds (in comparison with £945 for Start-up Visa, £50,945 for Innovator Visa or 6 months of payslips for Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa)

You can read more information about the Global Talent Visa requirements along with Immigram expert notes on our blog. Take an Immigram scoring test to estimate your chances of obtaining a Global Talent Visa.