Tuesday 14 February 2023

On 31 January 2023, Tech Nation, the endorsing body tasked with first-stage digital technology applicant approvals for the UK Global Talent visa, announced that it shall cease operations on 31 March 2023. The closure comes following the withdrawal of key funding from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and the grant previously held by Tech Nation has been instead awarded to Barclays Eagle Labs commencing on 1 April 2023.

The Global Talent visa brings leaders and potential leaders in academia and research, arts and culture, and digital technology to the UK with desirable career flexibility and a pathway to settlement. Tech Nation has utilised its expertise in technology start-ups to vet applicants’ viability and leadership potential before an application is submitted to the Home Office. It has endorsed more than 3,000 successful applicants since 2011, including companies such as Ocado, Revolut, Depop, and Just East. Alumni of the endorsement programme have created over 13,000 jobs and contributed more than £28 billion.

From April, Tech Nation will no longer manage the endorsement process for new Global Talent applicants and no new endorsement body for the digital technology strand has yet been confirmed. Barclays Eagle Labs will not take up responsibility for administering the Global Talent endorsement process for digital technology applicants. However, the Government has identified bringing the best and brightest talent to the UK as a priority, with a Home Office spokesperson noting:

‘We are working closely with Tech Nation to ensure applications for the Global Talent route are unaffected during this period, whilst we explore the long-term changes necessary so the UK can continue to benefit from the brightest and best living and working here.’

Regarding migrants currently in the UK on a Global Talent visa endorsed by Tech Nation, rest assured – the Home Office has confirmed that the Government:

‘…will take all available steps to ensure that applicants already part of the Global Talent route are not disadvantaged by the closure of Tech Nation. Applicants are not required to obtain a further endorsement for either an extension or settlement.’

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To learn more about forthcoming changes to UK immigration law, see our website, contact your assigned LDI lawyer or email enquiries@lauradevine.com.