Hi everyone,
I’m from Iran. As many of you know, we are currently in the midst of an ongoing conflict. The government has repeatedly cut off internet access, and everyday life has become chaotic.
While Iran has faced conflicts and instability for many years, the past year has been especially difficult: we experienced two wars, a major protest, and three separate internet shutdowns.
I had previously considered applying for a Global Talent (GT) visa, but the circumstances were dire. Now, given the deteriorating economy and other challenges, I am seriously pursuing an Exceptional Talent GT visa.
About my background
• Product designer with 7+ years of experience.
• Led design for national‑financial products that served over 10 million users and significantly increased both user base and revenue.
• Currently a Staff Product Designer at one of the country’s largest brokerage firms, working on design of a product and DesignOps initiatives.
I would appreciate guidance on the following questions
- Am I eligible to apply for an Exceptional Talent GT visa?
- How might the ongoing conflict and my current living situation affect my application?
- What is the most appropriate route for me to pursue this visa?
Because our currency has plummeted in recent years due to sanctions and the ongoing war, the cost of applying is substantial, and I cannot afford the risk of rejection.
If you have any questions about my qualifications, motivations, or objectives, please feel free to ask.
I am at the beginning of this journey and want to stay on the right track.
Thank you for your time and assistance.
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You’re eligible to apply, but only on the Exceptional Talent route. You have 7+ years of experience, so Tech Nation will assess you on the Exceptional Talent route - if you apply for Promise they’ll move you across automatically. That’s actually the right track for your profile given the scale of what you’ve built.
The bigger question is whether your current employer qualifies as a product-led digital technology company. The guide is explicit: non-technical applicants from non-technical organisations are generally not eligible. A brokerage firm that uses technology isn’t automatically a tech company. If the bulk of its revenue comes from financial services rather than a digital product, assessors will flag it. You’d need to make the case that the firm is fundamentally product-led - not just digitally enabled.
The harder problem is visibility: if internet shutdowns limited your international footprint, building OC2 (recognition beyond your occupation) becomes difficult. Think about any international conference talks, open source contributions, or writing that crossed borders.
Exceptional Talent is the right route - but sort out the company classification question first, because everything else hangs on it.
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Hi, and thanks for your reply.
My employer is in charge of the digital division of a brokerage firm. We are completely product-led and cross-functional, and almost everyone here works in tech and I am certain that our company is listed as a fintech.
We have several products that serve as the digital front of the brokerage in the stock market.
To clarify, almost all of the company’s revenue comes through our products—specifically the one I am personally responsible for designing—even though the revenue itself is generated from stock transaction commissions.
As you mentioned, my main challenge is visibility. In Iran, we have very limited opportunities to contribute to our profession internationally. Due to sanctions, travel restrictions, and other limitations, it is generally difficult for someone like me to build an international footprint.
That said, I have some former colleagues who have migrated to the UK, South Africa, and other countries, and they would be willing to endorse me and write recommendation letters. Would this help?
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Yes certainly. Anyone who can speak honestly and in detail about your past and present work is a good recommender.
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