Brexit Aftermath: Implications for UK Tech Sector

Last week, Tech City UK, a leading business community hub of the UK’s digital and technology industry, reported that Brexit will have a massive impact on the UK’s technology sector. The UK technology sector accounts for around 10% of UK GDP, and is one of the fastest growing components of the economy. We outline key concerns of the UK tech sector about the impact of the UK’s referendum Vote to Leave the EU below. 

Technology Sector Needs Skilled Workers

The UK technology sector and all of the innovation that surrounds it needs highly skilled people to continue to grow and benefit the UK economy. An impact of the vote to leave will be the effect on businesses hiring workers from the European Economic Area (EEA) and a key concern is that companies may struggle to find the people they need to drive their businesses and the digital sector forward.

In addition, EU citizens working in the high-tech sector may feel their careers are best served elsewhere – therefore there’s a real possibility that many will seek opportunities elsewhere in Europe.

Tech City states that Brexit means there is uncertainty in the digital sector which further compounds the problem of the skills shortage in the sector it further means that access to funding which the EU currently provides.

UK Visa Routes for Tech Sector

Tier 1 Exceptional Talent/Promise: The Tech Nation Visa Scheme makes it possible for Skilled workers from outside the EEA to work in the UK’s digital technology sector. Tech City UK is the designated competent body for digital technology and has the ability to endorse applications for the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa.

Under the current UK immigration rules, Tech City UK has the power to endorse 200 of the 1000 application places available under the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa.  With only 81 applications made under the scheme so far, there are still plenty of places left in 2016.

Tier 2 General Visa: this visa route allows businesses to employ non EEA skilled workers. Under this route,businesses will need to offer the migrant a job  in the UK and assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) as a recognised  licenced sponsor in the UK. If the business wishing to sponsor the employee is not a licenced sponsor, they will need to apply for a UK sponsorship licence before they are able to assign a CoS to the worker.

Successful Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent)  and Tier 2 Visa Applications

Our team of experienced and professionally qualified immigration solicitors and barristers will be able to guide you through the process of making a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa application or Tier 2 General migrant visa application step by step and limit the possibility of failure by complying with the strict letter of law.

From our experience, we have found that the UK Border Agency are very strict when deciding applications under the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) route so if you consider yourself as having exceptional talent, contact us to arrange a consultation in which we will guide you through the process. 

We also undertake a great deal of appeal work before the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal and have a successful track record of successful results for our clients. We have the experience and the knowledge required to take your case forward successfully. If you have had a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) entrepreneur visa refused, contact us to discuss your case so that we can provide you with a case assessment.

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