Earlier this week, the UK government announced a set of measures aimed at reducing the number of individuals migrating to the country. UK Home Secretary James Cleverly highlighted that the adjustments will be implemented in January 2024.
While the UK government expressed concerns about potential misuse of the country’s student and skilled worker visas, the announcement took many by surprise leaving numerous individuals, intending to travel to the UK for valid reasons, disappointed.
Though disappointing, as the student visa was the easiest route for many, the United Kingdom provides alternative visa options tailored for diverse purposes. We explore visa routes available for those in the tech sector which are aimed at attracting professionals or talents and entrepreneurs to enrich the nation’s already burgeoning tech ecosystem.
Skilled Worker visa
Tailored for skilled professionals possessing a job offer from a UK-based employer, the Skilled Worker visa route requires that you get hired by a company registered in the UK in a job role listed on the UK’s shortage occupation list or one that will pay the minimum salary which has just been increased to upwards of 38,000 pounds. This visa is useful for tech experts seeking employment opportunities in a high-demand sector.
- Employer Requirements: Your employer must be a Home Office-approved sponsor, your job must be on the list of eligible occupations, your employer must have paid the Immigration Skills Charge, and your employer must provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number.
- Your Job: You must work for a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office, your job must be on the list of eligible occupations, and your salary must meet the minimum requirements for your job or be at least £38,000 per year if your job is not on the shortage occupation list.
Global Talent visa
According t the UK Home office, applying for a Global Talent visa can get you to work in the arts, sciences or digital technology sectors in the UK once you have been endorsed as a leader or potential leader.
The Global Talent visa is a unique visa route that allows exceptional individuals in key sectors, including digital technology, to work in the UK without being tied to a specific job offer. This visa is designed to attract and retain the very best talent from around the world.
For tech talents, Tech Nation, a non-profit organization that supports tech startups and scaleups in the UK, is one of the bodies that endorses Global Talent visa applicants. Earlier this year, the scheme was said to have been stopped but in March, it was revived.
Financial requirement: You must have at least £1,270 in personal funds held for a 28-day period prior to the date of application.
Other requirements: You must be endorsed by an eligible body depending on the sector or specific talent you possess which a credible body awards or recognizes. A full list of these can be found on the Gov.uk website. You must also have a strong track record of achievement in your field.
Start-up visa:
For tech-savvy entrepreneurs looking to either start or scale a business venture, the Start-up visa is a great opportunity. This visa requires applicants to present a viable business plan and secure funding from an approved investor, encouraging innovation and the inception of novel tech-driven enterprises.
Financial requirement: You must have at least £945 available to support yourself and your dependants without relying on public funds. You must also have raised at least £50,000 in funding from an approved investor.
Other requirements: You must have a viable business plan and a commitment to developing your business in the UK. You must also be able to communicate in English.
Innovator visa
Innovator visa is a fairly new route for entrepreneurs aspiring to develop and scale up innovative businesses within the UK. Entrepreneurs who want to go this route must demonstrate a viable business idea with the potential to generate employment opportunities and foster economic growth, making it an appealing pathway for those envisioning pioneering tech initiatives that could significantly impact the industry.
Financial requirement: You must have at least £24,000 available to support yourself and your dependants without relying on public funds. You must also have raised at least £250,000 in funding from an approved investor.
Other requirements: You must have a viable business idea that has the potential to create jobs and economic growth. You must also be able to demonstrate that you have the skills and experience to develop your business.
For a number of these routes, we recommend dedicating time to the process and exploring these immigration routes for valid reasons. This is because Nigeria already gets a bad rap for inflated migrant numbers and while greener pastures are relative and highly personal, sometimes, the process can be tiring and the only motivation may be your intention. For more specifics, we recommend visiting the UK Government website.