Demand for the Tech Nation Visa has increased significantly in the past year.

The Tech Nation Visa enables tech talent from around the world, both founders and employees with technical or business backgrounds, to work in the UK’s digital technology sector.

According to Tech Nation, the number of applications increased by 28 per cent from the period of April 2019 – March 2020, to April 2020 – March 2021.

The visa is valid for up to five years, enabling international tech employees to change employers, or be self-employed, without the need for further authorisation. It can be extended to immediate family members and after the initial visa period, visa-holders can either apply for an extension or permanent settlement in the UK.

The number of applications for the visa has hit a milestone of 4,000 from 102 countries since 2014 – with 35 per cent of these coming through in the last 12 months. 58 per cent of these applications have been made in the past two years.

Over a third (39 per cent) of all endorsed visa applicants have based themselves outside of London.

The number of endorsed applications from founders has grown by 73 per cent on average every year since 2018.

Cybersecurity, FinTech and HealthTech have experienced the highest increase in the number of applications since 2018.

“The UK is a global powerhouse for tech, not only due to our world-class ideas and innovation, but our world-class talent too,” said Gerard Grech, founding chief executive, Tech Nation. “Tech Nation’s Global Talent Visa is just one of the many reasons the UK is such an attractive hub for ambitious and inspiring tech entrepreneurs, and will help ensure the UK remains one of the best destinations to start and scale a tech business in the months and years to come.”

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