As Tech City celebrates its third anniversary, Prime Minister David Cameron announced that overseas technology experts are to be given fast tracked visas to enable them to work in the UK. David Cameron intends to announce £15.6million of additional funding for technology start-ups as well as fast tracked visas designed to attract international talent to the UK’s digital sector. Tech City, a government-backed body that promotes technology companies across London, will begin working with the Home Office so that recognized professionals can travel to the UK under the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa route.
Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Route Extended
Currently, the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa route is only open to exceptionally talented migrants in the fields of science, humanities, engineering and the arts, who wish to work in the UK. These individuals are those who are already internationally recognised at the highest level as world leaders in their particular field or who have already demonstrated exceptional promise in these fields and are likely to become world leaders in their particular area.
David Cameron’s announcement means that visas for this category will be extended and from next April those with a strong record within the digital industry can apply to come to the UK under the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa route. The scheme is designed to make it easier for outstanding individuals in the technology sector to get a work visa in the UK. It is not yet known how many slots will be allocated to Tech City but the pathway will be open from April 2014.
David Cameron: Exceptional Talent Route For “World’s Best”
The Prime Minister believes that the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa route will help to “make Britain the best place in the world in which to start and grow a business.”
“Today, Tech City serves not only as an example of how a city can be transformed into an engine for growth and innovation, but it is also a blueprint for fostering growth that has been recognised globally.”
David Cameron also stated:
“The combination of the right policies, the right people and the right programmes, backed by Government that listens and takes action, has led to some of the world’s best entrepreneurs and their companies choosing the UK as their home.”
Successful Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa Applications
If you are interested in applying under this route, our team of experienced and professionally qualified solicitors and barristers will be able to guide you through the process of making a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa application. From our experience, we have found that the UK Border Agency are very strict when deciding applications under this 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.