
Country / Territory
Related contacts
Related content
Related contacts
Related insights
Related content
Related contacts
Related insights
Related content
By: Alexander Hood, Cin-Yee Li
Information contained in this article is accurate as of 9 May 2023.
Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent visa replaced the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa in February 2020, offering an immigration route to the UK for talented and promising individuals who wish to work in the UK.
Before applying for the Global Talent visa, applicants must first obtain an endorsement from an endorsing body appointed by the Home Office.
Tech Nation has acted as the endorsing body for applicants with a background in digital technology from April 2014 until now.
Tech Nation Closure
On 31 January 2023, Tech Nation announced that it would cease operations as of 31 March 2023.
This followed the withdrawal of funding from the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), who transferred the grant to Barclays Eagle Labs in 2022.
Endorsed Individuals and Existing Visa Holders
Those already holding Global Talent visas do not need to do anything and may progress towards permanent residence (ILR) on the same terms as before.
All previous endorsements by Tech Nation remain valid. Endorsements remain valid for three months and the first application for a Global Talent visa must be made within this time.
Prospective Applicants
Tech Nation has now been acquired by Founders Forum Group. Until further notice, it remains possible to apply to Tech Nation for endorsement in the Global Talent route in the same way as before 31 March, and applications continue to be processed.
It has not yet been confirmed for how long this situation will continue.
The Home Office has not yet confirmed that Global Talent endorsements in the digital technology sector will be issued by Tech Nation operating from within Founders Forum Group, or another entity. Until this confirmation is public, prospective applicants should be aware of the risk that the programme is subject to change at short notice.
Need to know more?
Fragomen has extensive experience in working with Tech Nation and preparing applications for endorsement. For further information on the Global Talent route, please contact Manager Alex Hood at [email protected] and check out our Global Talent Visa landing page for more information.
This blog was published on 11 May 2023, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please visit our dedicated COVID-19 site, subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Country / Territory
Related contacts
Related content
Related contacts
Related insights
Related content
Related contacts
Related insights
Related content
Explore more at Fragomen

Awards
Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.

Awards
Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.

Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how USCIS’s new rule could potentially increase enforcement and affect how applicants interact with the US immigration system.

Blog post
Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.

Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Blog post
Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Blog post
Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Video
Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Blog post
Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Video
Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Media mentions
Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.

Awards
Fragomen and Regional Partner for the Asia Pacific Mark Buchanan were recognized at the 2025 FEM APAC EMMAs.

Awards
Partner Archana Iyer won the "Innovation Award" at The New York Law Journal's 2025 New York Legal Awards.

Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses how USCIS’s new rule could potentially increase enforcement and affect how applicants interact with the US immigration system.

Blog post
Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.

Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Blog post
Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Blog post
Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Video
Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Blog post
Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Video
Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Media mentions
Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.