Work in tech? Here are your UK immigration options

London Tech Week this year runs from the 8th to the 12th June and the UK tech sector, valued at nearly £1 trillion and Europe’s largest digital economy, remains one of the most dynamic and exciting in the world. With the sector continuing to grow at pace, demand for skilled talent is intensifying. According to research from techUK and Public First, as well as the UK Government’s own ambitions for building a future tech sector that works for everyone, the conditions are ripe for international founders and technologists to make the UK their home and  we are seeing a growing trend of founders and tech entrepreneurslooking to relocate to the UK. For those considering the move, understanding the available immigration routes is an essential first step. The good news is that the UK offers a number of different routes for those working in the tech sector, each with its own requirements and restrictions.  

Standard visitors

Under the visitor rules, individuals can enter the UK to carry out some business activities. However, it is important that organisations and individuals are aware of the limitations of these activities and ensure everyone involved understands the nature of the visits. For example, a visitor may attend meetings, conferences, seminars, interviews and negotiate and sign deals and contracts, but they cannot directly sell; cannot receive payment from a UK source (except in limited circumstances); cannot take employment in the UK; or do work for a business in the UK.

Non-visa nationals will need to have a valid Electronic Travel Authorisation (‘ETA’) before travelling to the UK under this route.

Skilled Worker

For many tech employees, the Skilled Worker route remains the default option. It is designed for people who have a job offer from an approved UKVI sponsor for an eligible role. In practice, this route often suits software developers, cyber specialists, engineers, analysts and other employed professionals who are being hired into a defined role by an already established UK business which holds a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence. Its main advantage is that it is well established and widely used by employers. Its main limitation is that the visa is tied to sponsorship, so changing employer or, in some cases, changing role can require further immigration steps. The role looking to be sponsored needs to meet the minimum skill requirement and the salary must meet the relevant threshold and going rate.

Global Talent

For those more established within the tech sector, the Global Talent route is an attractive option. It does not require sponsorship by an employer. It would allow the individual to work for an employer, take on multiple engagements, consult independently or even start their own business. That flexibility can be especially valuable in the tech sector. However, the route is selective and evidence-heavy, requiring an application for endorsement from Tech Nation. It is aimed at those who are leaders in their field or who show the potential to become leaders. It tends to be most suitable for applicants with a strong track record, references from well-established experts in the digital technology field and notable achievements and who can provide documentation to show this.

Innovator Founder

The Innovator Founder route is aimed at entrepreneurs who want to establish an innovative business in the UK. For people working in tech, it is particularly relevant to founders building a product, platform or service with clear growth potential and a clear innovative idea. Unlike a standard work route, the focus is not on taking employed work for a sponsor but on developing a business idea that is innovative, viable and scalable. This route may suit startup founders and technical entrepreneurs who want to build in the UK market, but it requires careful preparation, including a credible business proposition and, as with the Global Talent application, endorsement from an authorised endorsing body. The focus of this visa is very much on the success of the business rather than the individual and the business’s performance is considered as part of any visa extension application. This is a useful option for founders specifically rather than for employees.

Graduate

The Graduate route is relevant to international students who have completed an eligible UK degree and want to remain in the country to work after their studies. For tech employers, it can be an attractive way to hire junior talent without immediate sponsorship. For individuals, it offers short-term flexibility to gain experience, test different roles and, in some cases, move later into sponsored employment or another longer-term route as highlighted above. Although it is not a sector-specific route, it is commonly used by graduates moving into software development, data analysis, cyber security and other technology-related roles. Its main limitation is that it is temporary, so it is best seen as a stepping-stone rather than a long-term solution on its own.

High Potential Individual

The High Potential Individual route is similar to the Graduate route but is available to recent graduates from top 50 universities overseas who want to live and work in the UK without sponsorship. For tech professionals at an early stage of their careers, this can be a useful entry route because it gives time to build UK experience, secure employment or explore startup opportunities. It is not limited to technology roles, but it can work well for graduates entering software, data, AI or product-related positions. Eligibility depends on graduating from a qualifying institution, so it is not open to all applicants, and it is also a temporary visa route, like the Graduate route. Even so, where available, it can provide a valuable bridge into the UK tech market.

Scale-up Worker

The Scale-up Worker route was introduced to help fast-growing UK businesses recruit talent. In the tech context, it is most relevant where a qualifying scale-up business wants to hire a specialist into a highly skilled role. One of its attractions is that it can offer more flexibility than a traditional sponsored route after the initial sponsored period. However, it has had a low uptake, and it is only available where the employer meets the specific scale-up requirements. For that reason, it is usually a niche option rather than the starting point for most applicants, but it can be useful in the right business context.

Global Business Mobility and UK Expansion Worker

For those looking to expand a successful overseas company into the UK, routes under the Global Business Mobility framework, including the UK Expansion Worker route, may be appropriate. These routes are designed for the purpose of being transferred to the UK by an international business or sent to help establish a UK presence. These options are generally most useful for multinational tech companies, overseas startups entering the UK market, and senior or specialist staff who are part of a wider corporate move. They are less suitable for individuals seeking a flexible long-term personal immigration route, but they can be effective where the move is tied to a company’s expansion or internal mobility strategy.

Choosing the right route

Ultimately, the most suitable route will depend on an individual’s own circumstances, the stage of their career and their particular reason for wanting to come to the UK. Because the UK immigration rules evolve frequently, applicants and employers should always check the latest requirements before making decisions.

Get in touch

Should you have any questions or if you would like to find out more about how our immigration team could help you, do get in touch.