…at least for their involvement in Global Talent Visas.
Taylor Hampton offers advice on all kinds of Global Talent visas.
As well as arts-based Global Talent visas, Taylor Hampton advises on tech ones. Tech Nation has been for some time the place for would-be UK visa holders in tech jobs to go for an “endorsement”. This forms part of the application for a Global Talent visa. Tech Nation claims to have provided more than 5000. But the firm’s time as the Home Office-nominated endorsement body may be running out. Although it will continue to take applications until the end of 2024, the Home Office will then decide whether to keep Tech Nation as the endorsing body or appoint another company.
The background
Tech Nation is the only endorsing body for workers seeking a tech-based Global Talent visa. It’s therefore crucial to know who will be carrying on its work. We have no leads as yet, though no doubt the process will be a competitive one – the contract would bring £7.5 million to the chosen company. But just as important as “who?”, is “what will their endorsement criteria be?”.
Uncertainty over how long Tech Nation would be responsible for endorsements first began in spring 2023. Since then, applications have apparently been approved at the same rate and on the same basis as previously. But that is hardly a surprise – details of the endorsement criteria are currently still defined by Tech Nation. Consequently, if another company takes over, it will be well within its rights to establish its own.
Past, present, and future guidelines
What this all amounts to is that an application that meets Tech Nation’s current standards won’t necessarily tick all the boxes in 2025.
That’s not to say that there will be no overlap between the old and new checklists. Applicants will still need to show exceptional talent, achievement and/or promise, and it is, after all, the government that requires an endorsement (or sometimes an award) for a successful Global Talent Visa application.
Nor are we suggesting that Tech Nation’s standards are the best or only feasible ones. This is not the place for a full discussion of their merits, but it has been noted that what used to be about three pages of guidelines has more than tripled in length. Tech Nation’s predecessor, Tech City, had even shorter suggestions – just a few bullet points of which candidates had to meet two, alongside evidence of excellence in their industry. Now, on the other hand, there can be a lack of clarity – sometimes what seems to be merely an example is treated as gospel when it comes to assessing applications.
The bigger picture
Whoever controls the endorsement criteria controls part of the Global Talent visa application. This is not insignificant, given that Global Talent visas are one of the more flexible routes to the UK. It has become increasingly difficult and expensive to migrate to the UK in recent years – we have explored this problem and its potential ramifications for the country elsewhere. Unfortunate changes include the increase of the minimum salary for Skilled Workers and the removal of most tech jobs from a list that allowed them discounts. As a result, Global Talent visas are an important part of the immigration landscape. Greater clarity from all parties involved would help support them.
If you need legal advice on migration to the UK, visit the link below – Taylor Hampton has lawyers specialising in visas, immigration, and work permits. Our Head of Immigration is Leena Chouhan. To find out more, head to our Meet the Team section or follow the link below.