Important Updates
Important Updates
July 18, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Restrictions for Sponsored Work Routes Forthcoming
July 18, 2025 | RussiaRussia: Reduced Stay Periods Implemented for Visa-Free Entry 
July 18, 2025 | South AfricaSouth Africa: Civics Services Expansion for Citizens Abroad Facilitates Processes
July 18, 2025 | SwedenSweden: Proposed Reforms to Single Permit Regime
July 18, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: eVisa System on Track for 2025 Commencement
July 18, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Restrictions for Sponsored Work Routes Forthcoming
July 18, 2025 | RussiaRussia: Reduced Stay Periods Implemented for Visa-Free Entry 
July 18, 2025 | South AfricaSouth Africa: Civics Services Expansion for Citizens Abroad Facilitates Processes
July 18, 2025 | SwedenSweden: Proposed Reforms to Single Permit Regime
July 18, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: eVisa System on Track for 2025 Commencement
July 18, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Restrictions for Sponsored Work Routes Forthcoming
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

UK Visa Options for Start-Ups and Those Entering The UK in The Tech Sector

February 24, 2022

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Establishing a tech start-up is exciting, but it also presents a variety of challenges. We know that developing your product, securing funding and building a skilled founding team are mammoth tasks. Once you have identified that ideal candidate, navigating the UK’s complex immigration system can present another major challenge.

While many clients are focussed on training and upskilling local talent, it is often necessary to employ skilled overseas workers. This is particularly necessary in the tech sector where there are acute shortages of skilled workers. In our two-part mini-series, we will provide a summary of the available UK visa options and highlight the potential advantages and disadvantages of the most relevant routes. The two posts will provide only a brief overview and will focus on the perspective of the start-up founder.

In this first instalment we will take a look at the Skilled Worker, Intra Company Transfer and Global Talent routes.  

Who needs a visa?

If a candidate is not British or settled in the UK (Irish, or someone with indefinite leave to remain), they will almost certainly need a visa to work for you.

European nationals who resided in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period (i.e., by 31 December 2020) should hold status under the EU Settlement Scheme, which permits them to work. Those who missed the 30 June 2021 deadline may still be able to make a very late application—although extremely long processing delays mean this option will not be a quick fix and should be avoided if the need to hire is urgent.

Current UK visa options

Skilled Worker and Intra Company Transfer (ICT) visas

The Skilled Worker and ICT categories are the UK’s work permits.

  • Skilled Worker: Used to recruit individuals to work in the UK in a specific job. To qualify, an individual must score 50 points under the mandatory criteria and 20 points under the tradeable criteria. Points are awarded for sponsorship, a job offer with an appropriate skill level, demonstrating an ability to speak English and meeting a salary requirement. There are concessions on salary for shortage occupations, new entrants and for some who hold a PhD.
    • Advantages:
      • Objective criteria gives the employer relative certainty
      • The employee’s visa and right to reside in the UK is dependent on their ongoing employment with you, their sponsor
      • Super priority service and priority service will give the applicant a decision within one to two business days or five business days, respectively
      • The employee should qualify for settlement in the UK after five years of residence, if requirements are met
    • Disadvantages:
      • Expensive—sponsors must pay the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) of £1,000 per year per sponsored employee (a lesser charge of £364 applies to small and charitable sponsors), as well as the government application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
  • ICT: Aimed at existing employees of group entities who are travelling to the UK on temporary assignments and are not required in the UK permanently. To qualify, an individual must score 60 points. Points are awarded for sponsorship from an employer with an Intra Company sponsor licence, job offer with an appropriate skill and salary level.
    • Advantages:
      • Objective criteria gives the employer relative certainty
      • The employee’s visa and right to reside in the UK is dependent on their ongoing employment with you, their sponsor
      • Fast processing—same processing times as the Skilled Worker category
      • No need to evidence the English language requirement
    • Disadvantages:
      • Expensive—same government fees as the Skilled Worker category
      • The ICT category does not lead to settlement in the UK

To sponsor an individual, your company must have a sponsor licence issued by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The company takes on record keeping and reporting duties and can be audited by the UKVI at any time. The application fee (not inclusive of legal fees) for a small company is £536, and £1,476 for medium or large companies. Once filed with the UKVI, a sponsor licence should be considered within eight weeks. There is a priority service available for an additional cost of £500, which should shorten processing time to 15 working days.

Global Talent – Tech Nation Visa

Global Talent is a flexible visa route for individuals who can show they have exceptional talent or promise in their chosen field of expertise. Applicants must first obtain endorsement from one of six approved endorsing bodies recognised by the UKVI. A Global Talent migrant can live and work in the UK without restriction, and their visa is not contingent on working for a specific company, though they must work in a job within their endorsed field in order to qualify for settlement.

  • Advantages:
    • No sponsorship required—no cost to the employer and no ISC
    • Unrivalled flexibility—the visa holder can be an employee of a tech firm or establish their own start-up
    • Leads to settlement in the UK after three years (Talent) or five years (Promise)—you can also combine time spent in the UK in certain other categories, such as Skilled Worker and Innovator
  • Disadvantages:
    • Subjective and challenging endorsement criteria—this visa is for those who are leading talents or have shown potential to one day be a leading talent in tech, and is therefore, not a suitable route for everyone

Tech Nation is the body capable of endorsing digital technology applicants to enter the Global Talent route. Fragomen is proud to be the exclusive UK immigration provider for Tech Nation.

Individuals must show that they have been recognised as a leading talent in the digital technology sector (or for Exceptional Promise – recognised as having the potential to become a leading talent).

Endorsement applications can take up to eight weeks to be processed. If endorsed, the visa application is very straight forward and a five working day priority service is available in most countries around the world.

Need to Know More?

If you are in the process of setting up your business and are looking to gain immigration permission, or to employ someone who needs status, there are lots of options and possibilities. Navigating them needn’t be a headache and we would be very happy to have a chat to set you on the right path. If you would like to discuss a visa category in more detail, or if you have any questions,  please contact John Kiely at [email protected].

You should also look out for part two of this mini-series which will be posted next week, where we will be looking at other potential UK visa options for the tech sector.

This blog was published on 24 February 2022, and the UK’s Immigration Rules change frequently. 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

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Windpower Monthly: Wind Industry’s Chronic Skills Shortage Exacerbated by Tough Immigration Rules

Associate Yinny Tan outlines how proposed UK immigration changes may affect workforce planning and talent access in the wind industry.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Creative Industries & Immigration: What the 2025 Policy Changes Mean

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes, Associate Jennifer Gray and Paralegal Mariel Arquero outlines how the United Kingdom's 2025 immigration policy changes will impact the creative industries.

Learn more

Media mentions

AAML: Navigating U.S. Passport Applications for Minors Under 16: A Guide for Family Law Attorneys

Senior Associate Carolyn Alvarez outlines US passport rules for minors to guide family law attorneys on immigration requirements.

Learn more

Blog post

Fast-track Visa Options for Technical Workers: Türkiye’s AMS Visa and Greece’s Installation Visa

Senior Manager Ben Morgan and Manager Mariana Da Encarnacao outline Türkiye’s AMS visa and Greece’s Installation visa as streamlined immigration options aimed at attracting technical talent to support national innovation and economic growth.

Learn more

Video

Regional Immigration Overviews 2025 | #MobilityMinute

Director Raj Mann shares an overview of Fragomen's newly released 2025  Regional Immigration Overviews, a supplement to the firm's Worldwide Immigration Trends Report.

Learn more

Video

A Guide to EU Visa Categories for Non-EU Nationals

Explore EU visa options for non-EU nationals, including Schengen, long-stay and work visas like the EU Blue Card. Find the right visa for your needs.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Partner Visa 2025: Is Cohabitation Still Required for Unmarried Couples?

Private Client Associate Amelia Haynes and Intern Zuha Malik explore whether living together remains a requirement for unmarried couples applying for a UK partner visa under the 2025 rules.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Standard: 11 Million US Visa Backlog Crushes Indian H-1B, Green Card Dreams: Decoded

Partner Blake Miller discussed how US immigration processing delays may create challenges for work authorization, travel and workforce planning.

Learn more

Blog post

EES and ETIAS: Automation Meets Immigration Complexity

Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis discusses how the EES and ETIAS systems aim to streamline immigration processes while addressing the complexities of automation.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group

Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.

Learn more

Blog post

Policy Reform Proposal: Granting Automatic Employment Authorization to Spouses of Work Visa Holders in South Africa

Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Learn more

Media mentions

The National: UAE Golden Visa Explained: From Nomination to Investment and Who is Eligible

UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Learn more

Media mentions

Windpower Monthly: Wind Industry’s Chronic Skills Shortage Exacerbated by Tough Immigration Rules

Associate Yinny Tan outlines how proposed UK immigration changes may affect workforce planning and talent access in the wind industry.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Creative Industries & Immigration: What the 2025 Policy Changes Mean

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes, Associate Jennifer Gray and Paralegal Mariel Arquero outlines how the United Kingdom's 2025 immigration policy changes will impact the creative industries.

Learn more

Media mentions

AAML: Navigating U.S. Passport Applications for Minors Under 16: A Guide for Family Law Attorneys

Senior Associate Carolyn Alvarez outlines US passport rules for minors to guide family law attorneys on immigration requirements.

Learn more

Blog post

Fast-track Visa Options for Technical Workers: Türkiye’s AMS Visa and Greece’s Installation Visa

Senior Manager Ben Morgan and Manager Mariana Da Encarnacao outline Türkiye’s AMS visa and Greece’s Installation visa as streamlined immigration options aimed at attracting technical talent to support national innovation and economic growth.

Learn more

Video

Regional Immigration Overviews 2025 | #MobilityMinute

Director Raj Mann shares an overview of Fragomen's newly released 2025  Regional Immigration Overviews, a supplement to the firm's Worldwide Immigration Trends Report.

Learn more

Video

A Guide to EU Visa Categories for Non-EU Nationals

Explore EU visa options for non-EU nationals, including Schengen, long-stay and work visas like the EU Blue Card. Find the right visa for your needs.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Partner Visa 2025: Is Cohabitation Still Required for Unmarried Couples?

Private Client Associate Amelia Haynes and Intern Zuha Malik explore whether living together remains a requirement for unmarried couples applying for a UK partner visa under the 2025 rules.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Standard: 11 Million US Visa Backlog Crushes Indian H-1B, Green Card Dreams: Decoded

Partner Blake Miller discussed how US immigration processing delays may create challenges for work authorization, travel and workforce planning.

Learn more

Blog post

EES and ETIAS: Automation Meets Immigration Complexity

Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis discusses how the EES and ETIAS systems aim to streamline immigration processes while addressing the complexities of automation.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group

Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.

Learn more

Blog post

Policy Reform Proposal: Granting Automatic Employment Authorization to Spouses of Work Visa Holders in South Africa

Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Learn more

Media mentions

The National: UAE Golden Visa Explained: From Nomination to Investment and Who is Eligible

UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.