Global Talent Visa – Digital Technology Endorsing Body Services

Background Information The Secretary of State for the Home Department as part of the Crown, acting through UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) (the “Home Office”), is procuring an Endorsing Body Service for the Digital Technology pathway of the Global Talent Visa. UKVI is a department within the Home Office and has customers in the UK and outside of the UK who include but are not limited to: • those seeking to extend permissions to work or study in the UK; • those seeking to extend permissions to stay or settle with family in the UK; • those progressing from earlier immigration permissions to British nationality The UK has replaced freedom of movement with a comprehensive points-based immigration system that ensures we continue to be global leaders, supporting UK employers in taking advantage of the opportunities now open to them by recruiting the best and brightest global talent from around the world. UKVI is responsible for making millions of decisions every year about who has the right to visit or stay in the country, with a firm emphasis on national security and a culture of customer satisfaction for people who come to the UK legally. The Home Office’s vision is to have a world-leading immigration service working for a safe and prosperous UK. To that end, two key missions are to deliver world-class customer service and to control migration. The Buyer’s challenge is to transform services in a way that enhances customer experience and UK border security. The Global Talent Visa is an enabler of this immigration policy. It was introduced in February 2020 to replace the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa and make the process smoother, efficient, and more attractive for exceptionally talented people to live and work in the UK. To qualify under the Global Talent Visa category, most applicants (excluding those that have prestigious prizes) need to be endorsed by a relevant Endorsing Body. The Endorsing Body is responsible for assessing whether an individual is internationally recognised as, or has demonstrated the potential to become, a leader in digital technology, for example in: • financial technology (‘fintech’) • gaming • cyber security • artificial intelligence The Global Talent Visa application process requires individuals to make their endorsement application direct to the Home Office. This includes paying the fee and submitting information and evidence linked to their claim of exceptional talent or promise. The Home Office then send all relevant information to the Endorsing Body. Although the endorsement application is submitted to the Home Office, the endorsing body carry out the assessment without involvement from the Home Office. If the endorsing body is satisfied that an individual is of sufficient calibre to receive endorsement, applicants are able to apply to the Home Office for a Global Talent Visa. The endorsing body is not involved in the visa part of the assessment. Endorsing bodies also work with the Home Office to formulate, agree, publish and apply the criteria that applicants are required to meet to be considered as “exceptionally talented” or as demonstrating “exceptional promise” in the digital technology field. Due to the nature of the service, it is necessary for the Endorsing Body to be a leading expert in the Digital Technology industry. Currently around 4,000 customers apply for endorsement per annum from across the UK and the rest of the world. Additional information on the visa can be found here: Work in the UK as a leader in digital technology (Global Talent visa) : Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)