UK Immigration Rules Amended

 

Today, on 1 December 2020, UK immigration rules are amended. They now include EEA nationals and prepare for the end of “freedom of movement” on 31 December 2020. The applications are now open for all EEA Nationals, who wish to move to the UK after 1 January 2021.

One of the changes includes amendments and clarifications to the criteria for Tech Nation’s endorsement under the popular Global Talent visa route.

Changes to the Rules

Global Talent Eligibility Criteria were restructured to reflect the changes to the Tech Nation assessment process and these changes activated on 1 December 2020. There are now no Key criteria and Qualifying criteria. Instead, all applicants must meet one mandatory criterion. They will also be able to select two out of four optional criteria.

Exceptional Talent applicants with prior relevant experience of over 5 years must show that they have been recognised as a leading talent in the digital technology sector. Exceptional Promise applicants must demonstrate having the potential to be a leading talent in the digital technology field. All applicants must also provide evidence of at least two of four optional criteria. These include:

• a proven track record (for Talent)/ at least 2 examples (for Promise) of innovation as a founder or senior executive (only for Talent) of a product-led digital technology company or as an employee working on a new digital field or concept; or
• proof of recognition for work beyond the applicant’s occupation that contributes to the advancement of the field; or
• they have made significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the field as a founder, senior executive (only for Talent) or employee of a product-led digital technology company; or
• demonstrate exceptional ability in the field by academic contributions, through research published or endorsed by an expert.

The previous criterion, proof of continuous learning/mastery of new digital skills (commercial or technical) throughout a career, is now abolished and new applications cannot rely on this.

 

Changes to the Guidance

The newly updated guidance was published in line with the change in the Immigration Rules on 1 December 2020. There are a few differences that are important for any potential applicants in comparison with the previous version:

• Documents containing only links to online sources are not acceptable now and any important information will need to be condensed and presented to the Tech Nation.
• Three letters of recommendations must be from organisations which Tech Nation judges to be ‘established’ in digital technology. Therefore, personal letters are no longer accepted as main recommendations and all letters will need to be on letterhead with details of the organisation.
• Each person who writes a letter for you must be a senior member of their organisation and know your work. This now a slightly more flexible approach than previously and allows a wider pool of people to write the letter.
• More examples of how you can show that you meet the mandatory criteria of being/having the potential to become a leading talent in digital technology. This is a most welcome addition since previously the guidance was very vague on the types of evidence and was only giving two very specific examples. There are now in a total of 10 examples of how applicants can show their leadership has been sustained or emerging.
• Letters and recognition from ‘leading industry experts’ exclude roles listed as unsuitable in the Typical Applicants section of the guidance (for example, managers at Outsourcing or Consultancy firms etc.).
• Evidence of media recognition now specifically excludes LinkedIn and Medium and must include supporting data such as a number of page views, downloads or other quantifiable metrics.
• Optional criteria are also expanded and have additional examples of evidence that needs to be submitted for each of them.

 

Contact us for help and assessment

Taylor Hampton’s immigration solicitors have a track record of successful Global Talent endorsement applications with Tech Nation. Our clients are bright individuals in digital technology. They continue to benefit the UK and its technology ecosystem. If you think you can be one of them and want to either check your eligibility or need assistance with preparing your application, please contact Taylor Hampton’s immigration department today on 020 7427 5972 or submit an enquiry HERE.

 

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