Digital technology specialists such as IT managers, developers, AI specialists, product managers, and marketing experts are in hot demand around the world right now. At the same time, a number of tech hubs are popping up around the world, providing truly cutting-edge technology research and product development. This is especially the case when it comes to the AI ‘bubble’ whereby investors and businesses are racing to establish a foothold in this eye-wateringly fast-paced field. London is now Europe’s biggest hub for generative artificial intelligence (genAI), housing around a third of Europe’s new startups in this emerging field. London has also been named the most supportive hub for developing AI due to its location as a place to do business, infrastructure and scalability. As the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, recently stated, “London is a world-leading centre for technology and talent, and fast becoming one of the most important centres for AI businesses globally”.
If you are a digital technology specialist of any type and you plan to relocate and settle in the UK because of the vast opportunities available here, one of the first considerations you will need to consider is the immigration visas and routes available to you. In this guide, we will explain the two main routes to settlement in the UK for digital technology specialists.
What type of visa do I need as a digital technology specialist?
As a digital technology specialist planning to relocate and settle in the UK, you have three main options available to you when it comes to immigration routes:
As we will explore in the following sections, while each of these routes will allow you to move to the UK and later gain permanent settlement and citizenship, there are some distinct differences to understand.
UK Skilled Worker visa for digital technology specialists
The Skilled Worker visa is the most popular work visa for overseas workers who want to work in the UK in paid long-term employment. This route can also provide a pathway to permanent settlement for you and your dependant family members after 5 years of continuous residence in the UK.
In order to make a successful application for a Skilled Worker visa, you will need to have a job offer and Certificate of Sponsorship from an approved UK employer (i.e. one with the sponsor licence issued by the Home Office). Most importantly, you must have an eligible role. In the area of digital technology, there are several suitable eligible roles, including: (please note this list is not exhaustive):
- Marketing, sales and advertising directors
- Purchasing managers and directors
- Information technology directors
- IT project managers
- IT managers
- IT business analysts, architects and systems designers
- Programmers and software development professionals
- Cyber security professionals
- IT quality and testing professionals
- IT network professionals
- IT consultants
- Web design professionals, and
- Graphic and multimedia designers
Assuming that you have a job offer, you must also meet the minimum salary requirements. This means that you will normally need a salary of at least £38,700 per year or the ‘going rate’ for the type of work you will be doing. In some cases, you may be eligible for a lower salary – for example, if you are new to the job market or you have a PhD.
You will also need to meet the English language requirements as a prerequisite for a Skilled Worker visa. To meet this requirement, you will need to show that you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. This can be done by passing an approved English language exam or holding a degree taught in English. You may not need to prove your English language proficiency if you are a national of a primarily English-speaking country.
Global Talent visa for digital technology specialists
If you can demonstrate that you are a leader or potential leader in a field of digital technology such as ‘fintech’, gaming, cyber security, or AI, the Global Talent visa may be a better option for you than the Skilled Worker visa. The main benefit of this visa is that you can choose whether you want to be an employee, self-employed or a director of a company. And most importantly, you can change or stop doing your job without informing the UK Home Office. In other words, the Global Talent visa offers much greater flexibility and is less restrictive than the Skilled Worker visa, but only if you are an established leader or you have leadership potential in this area. Another benefit is that there are no language or minimum salary eligibility requirements to be met.
Once you hold a Global Talent visa, you can settle permanently after just 3 years if you are a leader in your field of arts or 5 years as a potential leader.
In order for your application to be granted, it must be approved by Tech Nation, who is responsible for checking whether applicants meet the criteria as leaders or potential leaders in digital technology. To be considered a ‘leader’, you must have been recognised as a leader in your field in the last 5 years, and at least two of the following must be true:
- Have a record of innovation as a founder or senior executive of a product-led digital technology company
- Have a record of innovation where you’ve worked in a new digital technology field or concept as an employee
- Have contributed to the digital technology sector outside of work, for example, by mentoring or collaborative projects
- Have set up or worked in a product-led digital technology company and have made technical, commercial, or entrepreneurial contributions in the digital technology sector
- Have had research published or endorsed by an expert
To be considered a ‘potential leader’, you must have been recognised as a leader in the digital technology field in the last 5 years, and at least two of the following must be true:
- Able to show innovation as a founder of a product-led digital technology company
- Able to show innovation where you’ve worked in a new digital technology field or concept as an employee
- Able to show you have contributed to the digital technology sector outside of work, for example, by mentoring or through collaborative projects
- Able to show you have set up or worked in a product-led digital technology company and have made significant technical, commercial, or entrepreneurial contributions in the digital technology sector
- Have had research published or endorsed by an expert
Self-sponsorship route
Another immigration route open to digital technology specialists that is often overlooked is self-sponsorship. This pathway provides a route to permanent settlement after just 3 years. This is similar to a work visa, but rather than being employed, you set up your own business, apply to become a licensed sponsor and sponsor yourself. This is beneficial because it puts you in the driving seat and removes the need to secure a job and sponsorship. Self-sponsorship is particularly popular and beneficial for IT consultants who already work for themselves and want to set up a business in the UK and work for themselves. It also means that you can establish and grow your own business here.
Final words
The UK offers enormous opportunities for those who work in digital technology. To check which work or business immigration route is best for your needs and those of your family members, please speak to a member of our friendly and knowledgeable immigration law team who can advise you based on your unique circumstances. We can handle your application on your behalf and of your partner and children, allowing you to focus on other, more important matters such as finding a job, setting up a business, and finding a place for you and your family to live in the UK.
A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience with all types of visa applications. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us on +44 20 7404 7933 or contact us today. We’re here to help!
