THE UK has received the highest number of tech visa applications from India in the financial year (FY) 2018-19, latest data showed.
The highest number of applications came from those in the fields of software development, artificial intelligence, machine learning, fintech, and others.
The total demand for the UK tech visas surged by 45 per cent in the last FY, in the fifth consecutive year of growth in applications, according to Tech Nation, which runs the visa programme on behalf of the Home Office.
There were also a high number of applicants for the visa from Nigeria, Russia, Canada, Australia, China, and South Africa.
Tech Nation also noted that 44 per cent of all exceptional talent visa applications were for the technology sector during the last FY.
In total, there were 650 tech visa applications in 2018-19, up from 450 in the previous year.
As a result of the outstanding quality and demonstrable talent of applicants during the FY2018-19, Tech Nation endorsed roughly half of the applications it received, and as a result, exceeded its allocation of 200 endorsement places by roughly 63 per cent.
Since the tech visa was created in 2014, there have been over 1,650 applicants. More than 900 visas have been endorsed by Tech Nation.
Margot James Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries said: “The UK continues to attract talent from all around the world. This is thanks to our world-leading academic institutions, strong access to finance and long-standing reputation for innovation.
“Following the publication of the Immigration White Paper, Home Office have also launched the new Startup and Innovator routes as part of Tier 1 to attract the brightest tech entrepreneurs. We are determined to ensure the tech sector has access to the talent that it needs.”
