The government just made it easier to hire foreign tech talent with a new “tech nation” visa scheme
The government is making it easier for the UK's growing technology industry to hire talent from outside the European Union by creating a new "tech nation" visa scheme.
There are four key components to the new scheme: a fast-track route that will enable rapidly-growing companies easier access to the right candidates when it is most needed "to smoothen their path to success"; that the criteria will be opened up to individuals who demonstrate "exceptional promise"; to prioritise the northern powerhouse by offering support and advice to companies from Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and Sunderland that are looking to hire from overseas; and to allow groups of up to five apply together for a visa.
The scheme has been put together by Tech City UK following a year of workshops with founders, chief execs and senior management throughout the country's digital industry to establish which are the main barriers they face when trying to hire the best recruits from outside the EU.
Tech City UK chief executive Gerard Grech said: “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.”
Eileen Burbidge, partner at Passion Capital and chair of Tech City UK, added: "These revisions to the visa programme address the highest priority for all company founders — that of growing and scaling a business with the best talent from around the world."