On the 1st December 2020 the Eligibility Criteria for Tech Nation Visa will change. Please note that the following substantial changes that may affect your eligibility will be in force as of 01 December 2020.
Applicants who have already submitted their Application for Endorsement form and paid the associated Stage 1 fee on the Gov.uk website should not be affected by the Eligibility Criteria changes, however we will keep you informed on the Immigration Rules regarding any other changes that may impact you.
- Applications submitted on or before 30th November 2020 will be assessed according to the current guidance.
- Applications submitted on or after 1st December 2020 will be assessed according to the new guidance.
- Application submission date is based on when the applicant submits the official ‘Application for Endorsement’ on the UK website. Tech Nation is informed by the Home Office of the application submission date. Submission of the Tech Nation application form does not affect the official submission date.
- No exceptions will be made regarding date of submission and assessment. Tech Nation cannot respond to requests regarding change of submission date.
The main change for Tech Nation applications is the Eligibility Criteria
The Key and Qualifying criteria are being restructured to reflect the requirement that Tech Nation’s Global Talent applicants must be either Leaders or Potential Leaders in the digital technology sector. The terms ‘Key’ and ‘Qualifying’ will no longer apply. Instead, a simpler set of mandatory and optional criteria will be introduced.
From the 1st December, there will be a single mandatory criterion which was previously one of the Qualifying Criteria, regarding an applicant being a Leader or Potential Leader in the digital technology sector. The applicant will also be required to meet two of four optional criteria.
One important change is that the current Qualifying Criteria regarding Continuous Learning is being removed.
The new criteria will be as follows with the official rules:
EXCEPTIONAL TALENT – New Mandatory Criterion
An applicant evidencing exceptional talent must:
Show that they have been recognised as a leading talent in the digital technology sector.
In order to be successful in an application under the Global Talent route in the sector of digital technology the Applicant must provide evidence of two of the following optional criteria:
(i) a proven track record for innovation as a founder or senior executive of a product-led digital technology company or as an employee working on a new digital field or concept; or
(ii) proof of recognition for work beyond the applicant’s occupation that contributes to the advancement of the field; or
(iii) they have made significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the field as a founder, senior executive or employee of a product-led digital technology company; or
(iv) they have demonstrated exceptional ability in the field by academic contributions, through research published or endorsed by an expert.
EXCEPTIONAL PROMISE – GTE 7.4. An applicant evidencing exceptional promise must:
(a) show they have been recognised as having the potential to be a leading talent in the digital technology field; and
(b) provide evidence of 2 of the following:
(i) at least 2 examples of innovation as a founder of a product led digital technology company or as an employee working on a new digital field or concept; or
(ii) proof of recognition for work beyond the applicant’s occupation that contributes to the advancement of the field; or
(iii) they have made significant technical, commercial or entrepreneurial contributions to the field as a founder or employee of a product-led digital technology company; or
(iv) at least 2 examples of exceptional ability in the field by academic contributions, or through research endorsed by an expert.
Applicants who were considering applying for endorsement as either Global Talent or Global Promise in the sector of digital technology and were considering relying on the current Qualifying Criteria 3, i.e., that of continuous learning and upgrade of technical, business and entrepreneurial skills in the field, are encouraged to contact us for assistance so that an application can be timely prepared and submitted by 30 November 2020.
Applicants are advised that the extant Qualifying Criteria 2, will become the sole mandatory criterion as of 01 December 2020. Hence, all applicants who are considering to submit an application and rely on either Key Criterion 1 or 2, are encouraged to contact us without delay to ensure timely preparation and submission of their applications.
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