Tech City, the body set up by the Government to work with digital and hi-tech start-up firms, has revealed details of a new UK visa programme to bring overseas talent into Britain.
The Tech Nation Visa Scheme is what the organisation calls an “evolution of the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Scheme”, and aims to help UK businesses find the overseas skilled workers they need.
The new scheme is being introduced after feedback was gathered from digital businesses and will be open for applications from November 12.
Tech City CEO, Gerard Grech, said: “Fast-growing digital technology businesses play a central role in ensuring the UK stays at the forefront of digital innovation and economic growth on the world stage.
“Based on the feedback from the tech community, the new Tech Nation Visa Scheme will prove to be a vital tool for companies that want to secure the high calibre people they need to quickly scale their product, service and operations.”
The new scheme includes a “scale-up fast-track route” for fast-growing companies to bring in the non-EU talent necessary for their businesses. It will help businesses to fill specific skills gaps via a new criteria recognising “exceptional promise” among applicants.
The programme will allow businesses to recruit teams of up to five people at once. Applicants must be able to demonstrate proven track records of success to be considered for this route.
The scheme is also spotlighting digital businesses in Northern England, with a fast-track recruitment application procedure for companies in Newcastle, Sunderland, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Hull and Leeds.
Culture and the Digital Economy Minister, Ed Vaizey, said: “The Digital technology sector is a core building block of the Government’s plans to support an internationally competitive Northern Powerhouse as well as the UK’s leadership in digital innovation.”