Tips for UK Global Talent Visa Endorsement
The UK Global Talent Visa is a fantastic option for tech professionals to live and work in the United Kingdom. By April 2023, Tech Nation (the endorsing body for the digital technology track) had approved 2,931 applications. I was one of them. Friends, colleagues, and complete strangers on the internet who’d already walked this path supported me. I promised myself that if I got endorsed, I had to help others too. That’s why I decided to share personal tips for getting the UK Global Talent Visa endorsement.
Scrutinize the guide
Tech Nation’s guide is a gem. Read it at least twice. It answers almost every question you might have. If you’re applying, skip the rest of this article for now and dive into it.
Zoom out on your application
You may already know which projects to highlight, have your evidence ready, and collect recommendations. However, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. To avoid this, I used Miro to sketch out my application (Figma works too). I mapped every piece of evidence for the mandatory and optional criteria. Which criteria and evidence fit best? Who’s backing me up? How does it all connect?
Your materials aren’t just a list of accomplishments. They’re the holistic story of why you’re talented in tech and how your skills will benefit the UK tech sector. The blueprint of the application will help you to identify weaknesses and inconsistencies. In my case, I realized I didn’t have enough solid evidence for the innovation criteria, so I chose another one. It’s also wise to share the blueprint with someone who’s been through the process for feedback.
Be transparent
Your application is likely being read by someone unfamiliar with your field. That’s okay. I have a background in fintech, but I have no idea how medtech or adtech works. Provide background and explain things. For example, clarify why 100 paying customers is a big deal in your business. Break down terms and product metrics. If you’re showcasing industry-related metrics, make it clear why they matter. The same goes for media mentions. Don’t assume that the reviewer understands why a publication is important. Explain why being featured there matters and why 15,000 views of your article are the literary equivalent of a Stephen King bestseller’s sales.
Think about user experience
You should simplify the visual perception of your evidence. If you provide screenshots or charts, point out exactly where the reviewer should focus. Do you show metrics from an analytics dashboard? Highlight the number. It’s easy to get lost in data. I also added headings, subheadings (for example, a short description of the document or evidence), and text captions to the screenshots to guide the reviewer through. It helps them follow your reasoning and jump between sections and documents without confusion.