International Expertise Visa Continues Regardless of Tech Nation Closure 

The International Expertise visa scheme, a visa endorsement programme beforehand run by Tech Nation, will proceed regardless of the expansion community’s closure earlier this yr.

The Residence Workplace has confirmed that Tech Nation will nonetheless assess digital know-how purposes for the International Expertise visa, regardless of it having formally ceased operations on 31 March 2023.

Describing the change as a “new part” for the scheme, the federal government says the interim resolution will stay in place till a brand new physique can tackle full dealing with of the programme.

Regardless of the last-minute nature of the announcement, the information can be welcomed by tech startups. Many are already struggling to fill hiring gaps attributable to a scarcity of job-ready digital expertise within the UK.

Following this announcement, candidates will nonetheless be capable to use the Tech Nation web site to:

• Proceed an utility beforehand began
• Begin a brand new utility

International Expertise visa important for plugging the UK digital expertise hole

Startup house owners are nonetheless recovering from the shock closure of Tech Nation. The expansion community had beforehand nurtured over a 3rd of the UK’s tech unicorns, together with Startups 100 alumni Deliveroo, Monzo, and Revolut.

Nonetheless, the community ceased operations on 31 March after the federal government controversially reallocated its £12m Digital Progress Grant to Barclays Eagle Labs.

Tech Nation’s defunding proved unpopular with the startup group. It additionally raised questions on the way forward for the International Expertise visa.

Visa challenges brought on by Brexit, coupled with the ‘Nice Resignation’ (an ongoing pattern of mass worker quitting), have worsened the UK’s substantial digital expertise hole. UK startup demand is vastly outmatching the provision of highly-skilled tech staff.

Rising want to rent from overseas

Earlier this yr, Startups analysis discovered that firm bosses are more and more trying overseas to plug gaps. Searches for ‘expert employee visas’, the documentation required for employers to make use of highly-skilled non-UK resident staff, hit a document excessive in January.

The International Expertise visa has been the primary port of entry for abroad tech expertise since 2019, with Tech Nation processing 1000’s of purposes annually. Between 2019 and 2022, the scheme accounted for a large 74% of profitable grants to international tech staff.

Its continuation supplies welcome respite for tech startups, lots of that are nonetheless settling their nerves after the close to collapse of Silicon Valley Financial institution UK.

Nadia Zhuk, a Holistic International Expertise visa Coach, summed up the information in a tweet final Friday, describing it as “a bit bizarre, however all the things is bizarre these days, so I counsel you apply earlier than it will get any weirder.”

Tech Nation closed down, however you may nonetheless apply for Tech Nation visa: https://t.co/xPcgJ468Z4
It’s kind of bizarre, however all the things is bizarre these days, so I counsel you apply earlier than it will get any weirder.

— Nadia Zhuk (@beetlehope) March 31, 2023

International Expertise visa: what’s subsequent?

It’s undoubtedly nice information that the federal government has moved to supply a security web for the scheme. However, it stays unclear who will emerge to choose up the slack in the long run. A brand new endorsing physique will apparently take over obligations quickly, though an official timeline has not been confirmed.

In an replace printed on GOV.UK, the Residence Workplace mentioned: “We’re dedicated to sustaining a powerful digital know-how provide as a part of the International Expertise visa.

“We’ll attempt to minimise disruption to these making use of for the visa whereas a brand new endorsing physique takes over from Tech Nation. We’ll present an extra replace within the coming weeks.”

Hiring from overseas? Take a look at our employers’ information to Proper to Work Checks to make sure that any new hires have the authorized proper to work within the UK.