UK Global Talent Visa Criteria Checklist
Run through every requirement before you submit. The most common reason qualified applicants are rejected is not that they lack evidence. It is that their evidence does not meet the format and criteria rules.
The UK Global Talent Visa requires: one mandatory criterion (MC1 or MC2), exactly two optional criteria from OC1-OC3, a CV (3 pages max), a personal statement (1,000 words max, future-focused), up to 10 PDF evidence documents (3 pages each), and exactly 3 reference letters from 3 different organisations. All evidence must be in PDF format.
Document Checklist
CV prepared (max 3 A4 pages, PDF format)
Personal statement drafted (max 1,000 words)
Personal statement is future-focused (how you will contribute to UK tech)
Past achievements belong in evidence documents, not the personal statement
Personal statement does NOT sound AI-generated
AI-detection is actively applied to personal statements
Exactly 3 reference letters from 3 different people at 3 different organisations
Each reference letter is max 3 A4 pages, PDF format
Between 1 and 10 supporting evidence documents, each max 3 A4 pages, PDF format
All evidence documents are actual PDFs (no cloud links, no URLs, no QR codes)
Web links and cloud storage links are not accepted as evidence
Evidence from the last 5 years only (Tech Nation rejects stale evidence)
Non-English documents have certified translations
Mandatory Criterion: MC1 or MC2
You have chosen ONE mandatory criterion only (MC1 or MC2, not both)
MC1 (Exceptional Talent): Evidence shows you are a recognised leader in digital technology in the last 5 years
MC1: Evidence demonstrates sustained leadership and significant impact, not just participation
MC2 (Exceptional Promise): Evidence shows clear upward trajectory and strong potential for future leadership
MC2: Evidence includes validation from senior figures who endorse your trajectory
Your reference letters speak to the mandatory criterion with specific examples
Optional Criteria: 2 from OC1, OC2, OC3, OC4
You have chosen exactly 2 optional criteria
OC1 (Innovation): Evidence of innovation as a founder or senior executive of a product-led company, or as an employee with granted patents
OC2: GitHub stars, npm downloads, or adoption metrics are documented in PDFs, not linked URLs
OC2 (Recognition Beyond Occupation): Evidence of recognition for work beyond your occupation: open source, speaking (100+ attendees), structured mentoring
OC2: Metrics are verified and not self-reported estimates, ideally backed by press coverage, employer letters, or analytics screenshots
OC3 (Significant Contributions): Evidence shows your personal impact at a product-led company, not just the company or team achievements
OC2: Conference speaking is at recognised events with an independent selection process, not self-organised or internal company events
Each optional criterion has at least 2-3 pieces of strong, distinct evidence
Reference Letter Checklist
3 letters from 3 different individuals at 3 different organisations
No letter from a family member or current line manager
Line manager letters are a common rejection reason
Each referee is a senior or established expert in the digital technology sector
Each referee has known your work for at least 12 months
Letters are individually written, not based on the same template
Letters mention specific achievements with measurable outcomes, not generic praise
Letters address the criteria you are claiming (MC1/MC2 and OC1-OC3)
Letters cover different aspects of your profile, not the same points repeated three times
Each letter includes the referee's CV or biography with their credentials
Compliance Checklist
Personal statement is under 1,000 words (count carefully)
Over-length personal statements are rejected outright
No AI-generated or AI-polished content in personal statement or reference letters
Evidence document page 1 contains the most important information
Assessors are instructed to stop reading after page 3. Front-load your strongest evidence
No self-authored evidence without independent third-party validation
The "if you say it, someone else must say it too" principle applies throughout
Evidence from consultancy or outsourcing work is supported by end-client letters, not just employer confirmation
No duplicate content across evidence documents
Each PDF is clearly labelled and the filename indicates which criterion it supports
Screenshots are annotated to explain context, not just raw images
The Most Common Checklist Failures
Cloud links in evidence
Screenshot and export as a PDF with annotations explaining what the reader is looking at.
AI-generated personal statement
Write in your own voice. Assessors are trained to identify AI patterns and flag them for rejection.
Reference letters from same employer
All 3 letters must come from 3 different organisations. Multiple letters from the same company count as one.
Evidence older than 5 years
Use only evidence from the last 5 years. Older achievements should be mentioned in your personal statement, not submitted as evidence.
Exceeding the 1,000 word limit
Count every word including headings, subheadings, and footnotes. Going over results in the statement being cut or rejected.
OC2 evidence that is self-organised
Conference speaking must be at externally organised events with an independent selection process. Internal events and meetups you organised yourself do not count.
Sources
- UK Visas and Immigration. Global Talent visa. gov.uk. Updated 2026.
- Designated Endorsing Body (successor to Tech Nation). Endorsement Guidance for Global Talent Visa: Digital Technology. Criteria: MC1, MC2, OC1–OC4.
- Home Office. Global Talent Visa: endorsement application guidance. Stage 1 fee: £561 (non-refundable). Processing time: 5–8 weeks typical.
Fee amounts and processing times are correct as of May 2026. Always verify current fees at gov.uk before submitting. getendorsed is not affiliated with Tech Nation, the Home Office, or UKVI.
Go beyond the checklist.
Our 140-point automated audit checks your actual evidence against these criteria, not just a self-reported list. Upload your documents and find out what an assessor would see.