12 May Home Office Hours: London’s first immigration workshop series dedicated to the tech sector
Tech London Advocates launches the Home Office Hours series with a workshop on “Options for Innovators”
Tech London Advocates is delighted to announce the launch of Home Office Hours, a series of events giving tech sector businesses and entrepreneurs direct access to immigration officials and experts. The first event in the series, “Options for Innovators” will be held on 14 May and will provide London’s tech entrepreneurs and businesses with the opportunity to learn more about options available for innovators; and specifically learn about the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa, the criteria for endorsement, the application process and the key role that Tech City UK is playing in its implementation.
On 6th April 2014, Tech City UK was designated a competent body with 200 endorsements of Tier 1 (exceptional talent) visas allocated for distribution to tech innovators. Tech City UK can now grant these to qualified candidates who make Visa applications in this category. This is the first time tech innovators are eligible to apply for the Exceptional Talent visas. Home Office Hours will take place at 3pm on Wednesday 14th May at Google Campus and will provide attendees with a full brief on immigration options available to tech sector innovators, including a presentation on the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) criteria from Tech City UK, as well as with the opportunity for free one-on-one sessions with officials and with experts from Penningtons Manches LLP.
Russ Shaw, founder of Tech London Advocates, commented, “We know that a lack of talent is one of the biggest impediments to London’s tech future and that tech sector businesses can find immigration policy daunting. This is why we’re delighted to be hosting this workshop, and working with the Home Office, to ensure the right people are coming to work for London’s tech companies.”
Gerard Grech, Tech City UK CEO said: “Historically, it has been challenging for digital entrepreneurs to hire great talent from overseas. Last summer, we began working with the Home Office to resolve the issue, and with colleagues from across the UK’s tech community, we developed the criteria against which applicants to the Tier 1 visa are now measured. Tech City UK is the Visa’s Designated Competent Body, and it is our aim to make Britain’s tech sector a magnet for the best and brightest digital talent.”
Places for the event are limited and attendees are requested to pre-register via Eventbrite.
This event is supported by TechUK, Level 39 and Penningtons Manches LLP
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