\Startup Life 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 Why hiring freelancers helps your startup grow By Connor Bilboe 8 January 2021 \Startup Life 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. Advertisement “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 Advertisement Help Sifted get bigger and better (and get a sneak peak at our future plans). Please take our reader survey. Take the survey Terms of Use Related Articles The best London startups to work at in 2021 By Freya Pratty Click here to read more Tony Blair’s son secures UK’s biggest ever edtech raise By Freya Pratty Click here to read more Glovo partners with real estate investor to pile €100m into ‘dark stores’ By Tim Smith in Barcelona Click here to read more Perchpeek: the startup that wants to help anyone work from anywhere By Freya Pratty Click here to read more Get the best of Sifted in your inbox By entering your email you agree to Sifted’s Terms of Use Sign up to \Future Proof Sifted’s weekly \Corporate Innovation roundup email By entering your email you agree to Sifted’s Terms of Use Most Read 1 \Fintech Inside Revolut’s bid to become a bank 2 \Venture Capital Europe’s top climate tech investors 3 \Mobility Glovo partners with real estate investor to pile €100m into ‘dark stores’ 4 \Venture Capital Klarna cofounder Niklas Adalberth’s Norrsken Foundation launches €100m impact fund 5 \Mobility Last-mile-delivery startup Budbee raises €52m as ecommerce booms 1 Join the conversation Subscribe newest oldest most voted 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.
Glovo partners with real estate investor to pile €100m into ‘dark stores’ By Tim Smith in Barcelona Click here to read more
Perchpeek: the startup that wants to help anyone work from anywhere By Freya Pratty Click here to read more