I first heard about the Global Talent Visa in 2022 when it came up
in a conversation with one of my friends. Upon reviewing the list of
requirements, we both initially considered it to be beyond our
capabilities and put it aside without second thought. However, after
six months, the idea resurfaced in my mind, and this time, I decided
to give it a shot despite my initial reservations.
On May 2023, during a three-day long weekend, I began my application
with the intention of completing it within those three days. Fast forward
three days later, and I had only managed to draft a few paragraphs of
my personal statement :). It became evident that the process was more
laborious than I had anticipated, requiring thorough preparation to build
a compelling case.
From that point forward, I dedicated every weekend (and some evenings
after work) to meticulously prepare my application. Finally, at the end
of 2023, I submitted my application, and on February 2024, I was granted
the Global Talent Visa. I applied under the Digital Technology sector,
showcasing my specialist skill in Product Management.
Here are some of my learning from preparing the application -
How I got endorsed for Global Talent Visa by UK Tech Nation?
What is a Global Talent Visa?
The Global Talent Visa enables the best talents from around the world who are leaders or potential leaders in one of the following fields: Academia or Research, Arts and Culture, Digital technology, to live and work in the UK. The main advantage of having this visa is that it provides flexibility to change roles or employers, enter self-employment, set up a company or earn money from other sources such as consultancy without seeking permission from the Home Office.
Background
What are the requirements?
Tech Nation (UK) has created a guidance
document on their website which provides the list of requirements in detail,
which you can find here: Tech Nation Visa Guide
They are mainly:
1. One Personal Statement
2. Six to ten list
of Evidences
3. Three recommendation Letters
Personal Statement
1. As easy as it may sound, try to tell your story as
authentically as possible. Take ownership of your journey,
including both successes and failures, and be proud to share them
as they shape who you are.
2. Identify 4-5 points you want to create a good impression on the
panel after reading the personal statement. These points should effectively
present you as a person and strengthen your case. They should also
be points for which you can later provide evidence and reference in
your recommendation letter.
3. Your personal statement may require several iterations, but each
revision will improve its quality. Personally, I underwent 6-7 iterations
until i was completely happy with it.
Evidence
1. The guidance document is extensive, requiring time for a full
understanding. I suggest taking your time, making notes,
highlighting, or creating a separate document. Read the guidance
multiple times on different occasions to comprehend the
requirements fully.
2. I see many times people get confused and think they need all the
points listed under the Mandatory and Optional requirements. Some individuals,
thinking they lack sufficient evidence for all listed points, decide
not to apply, whereas you need only two Mandatory and four Optional
documents.
3. The Visa Guide document clearly outlines the requirements for each
piece of evidence. Ensure that you check off the relevant points listed
in the evidence checklist.
Recommendation Letter
1. Ensure you provide sufficient context to your referees for them
to comprehend the nature of your application. If helpful, consider
sharing your personal statement with them to ensure they grasp the
complete context and enable them to incorporate appropriate keywords
in the recommendation letter.
2. Additionally, verify that the 4-5 key points you wish to highlight
in your personal statement for a favourable impression align with the
aspects emphasised in the recommendation letter.
3. Given that referees typically hold senior positions within their companies
and are often busy individuals, it is crucial to plan your timelines
accordingly. Allow them ample time and space to respond with a well-prepared
recommendation letter.
Final words
1. Ensure that the narrative in your personal statement aligns
with the evidence presented and the points mentioned in the
recommendation letter.
2. There are enough resources out there and people are willing to help.
Utilise available resources, and seek advice from individuals who have
previously received this visa.
3. Try to keep a target date for completing the application. Since
it doesn't have a cut off date, you can easily feel complacent and
prolong the process indefinitely. I personally set my goal to complete
and submit it before the end of the year 2023.
4. Don't let imposter syndrome get the best out of you. Tell yourself
that you are enough with all your past successes and failures.
5. I personally did not seek assistance from a lawyer or any services
available in the market. In my opinion, you don't need to unless you
lack sufficient time to complete the application on your own or you
are unsure how to effectively present yourself.
If you still have any questions, feel free to reach
out—I'll do my best to provide answers!