Startup Life/Hiring & Workforce/News/ Applications for UK Tech Visas at record high The number of people applying for UK tech visas is at its highest level since the system launched in 2014. By Freya Pratty 12 October 2020 \Startup Life Tech company layoffs in Europe: the list By Sifted reporters 22 June 2022 Startup Life/Hiring & Workforce/News/ Applications for UK Tech Visas at record high The number of people applying for UK tech visas is at its highest level since the system launched in 2014. By Freya Pratty 12 October 2020 The number of people applying for the UK’s Tech Nation visa — which allows individuals to work in the country’s digital technology sector — was at its highest level in September since the system was launched in 2014. Applications in the third quarter of 2020 were up 42% from the previous quarter, and up 8% from the same time last year. Applicants predominantly came from India, Russia and America, and most were from backgrounds in software development, cloud computing and artificial intelligence. The figures suggest that the coronavirus pandemic — which has seen the UK experience the highest death toll in Europe — and the fears of a no-deal Brexit, have less affected the appeal of the country’s tech sector than might have been expected. “The data flies in the face of claims that remote working and Covid-19 will deter people coming to the UK to work. Quite the contrary,” says Stephen Kelly, chair of Tech Nation. The ability of the country to attract tech workers is critical to economic recovery after the pandemic, Kelly says — in 2019, for example, £10.1bn was invested into UK tech companies and created 2.9m jobs. “25% of those who receive a Tech Nation visa are founders. These individuals are setting up businesses across the UK, bringing capital and jobs that are fuelling our economic growth,” he says. “As we consider the long-term effects of Covid-19 and as borders collapse as we move to the cloud, the UK needs to carefully consider the future of the digital nomad.” The Tech Nation visa was launched in 2014, and allows founders and employees within the tech sector to come to the UK for up to 5 years without the added authorisation they would otherwise need. Freya Pratty covers news at Sifted. She has previously interned at Bloomberg and tweets from @FPratty Related Articles Adia: My miscarriages exposed an unmet healthtech market By Kitty Knowles Click here to read more Chart: Average software developer salaries in Europe’s tech hubs By Maija Palmer Click here to read more Fired by robots — Uber faces legal challenge for algorithmic dismissals By Tim Smith in Barcelona Click here to read more Parental leave at startups: What to think about By Laura Kennett Click here to read more Most Read 1 \Startup Life Europe needs to catch up on pivot culture 2 Member \Deeptech 14 deeptech startups to watch in Spain and Portugal, according to investors 3 \Sustainability New €100m evergreen climate tech fund AENU launches 4 \Fintech What would a recession mean for revenue-based financing startups? 5 \Startup Life Gorillas-owned rider platform Street Fleet lays off 100+ riders and is set to shut down 1 Join the conversation Subscribe newest oldest Notify of new follow-up comments new replies to my comments Julia GiffordIs the total amount of visas issued known/available? It’s difficult to benchmark this success against other European startup visa regimes if only % growth is available.
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