Hi everyone,
I’m currently preparing to apply for the UK Global Talent Visa (Exceptional Promise route – UI/UX) and hoping to submit my Stage 1 application in early August. I’d be really grateful for any feedback or suggestions on my current draft evidence list and letters of recommendation – particularly around whether I’m missing any key pieces or if anything could be strengthened.
Background
I’m a digital product/UX designer with over 3 years work experience, currently working in London on a Skilled Worker visa. I’ve worked across several companies in the UK and Europe, focusing on experimentation, CRO, performance design, and product strategy. My most impactful projects include work on acquisition design, landing page optimisation, and user journey research for large-scale B2C platforms.
LoRs
1.VP of Product – cross-functional collaboration, product strategy, and performance design
2.Global Design Director – user-centred design process, and team collaboration
3.UX Specialist / Expert – She is Speaker and author of UX Design & My mentor
MC
1.Recipient of a major internationally recognised design award
- Certificate
- Official website screenshots
- Press/interview
2.Web Product Optimisation Project
- Improved conversion through design experiments
- performance strategy documentation
- Support letter from VP of Marketing
OC
1.Significant Contribution to a Product-Led Digital Tech Company
- Design System + Brand Hub+Support Litter from Manager
- App Project+ Design impact with screenshots and outcome metrics
- Outside of Work Impact
- UK Base Design Volunteering (2 projects)
- Mentoring Programme
- Attended UX/Design Conference （Although I wasn’t the main speaker, I’ve consistently participated in several major industry conferences. These experiences have helped me stay current with trends and connect with the broader design and tech community.）
Thanks so much in advance — and happy to swap notes with anyone also applying!
Hi Rochelleliu,
Just a quick note - Authors of your recommendation letters being mentors, will weaken the letters perceived objectivity.
MC
I am not sure which certification or website you are referring to, but from what you have shared, they may not be strong enough for the MC. Media coverage or interviews can be useful, but their impact depends heavily on the platform’s credibility, reach, and how clearly the content aligns with Tech Nation’s guidelines.
Conference
It’s best if you have been a keynote speaker or at least had a formal speaking role, rather than just attending. It should also be an industry-recognized and top-tier event.
To be honest, I think it would be wise to refine and strengthen your evidence a bit more before submitting your application. Taking the extra time now could make a big difference in the outcome.
All the best,
1 Like
Hi @Raphael Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with me — I really appreciate your insight and honesty.
You’re absolutely right about the recommendation letters — I hadn’t fully considered how explicitly positioning someone as a mentor could affect the perceived objectivity.
For the MC, I am planning to lean on the Red Dot Design Award.
And yes — I completely hear you on the conference bit. I’ve decided to drop the attendance-only events from my evidence list and instead just mention them briefly in my personal statement.
1 Like
@Rochelleliu You are always welcome.
Your application shows promise but needs strategic strengthening before submission. The Red Dot Design Award is excellent for your mandatory criteria, but I’ve seen applications rejected when applicants rushed with weaker evidence packages. Focus on strengthening your recommendation letters first - avoid mentioning mentor relationships as this signals bias to reviewers. Instead, if you’re able to - showcase them as work or business relationships.
Your conference attendance alone won’t meet the bar for optional criteria. You have to be a speaker at in-person conferences with over 100 people attending your talk.Consider developing your optional criteria around measurable commercial impact from your optimization projects. Document specific metrics like conversion rate improvements or revenue impacts with supporting letters from stakeholders who can verify these results. This approach has worked well for UX professionals I’ve advised.
Take more time to build stronger evidence rather than rushing to submit in August. The application process has become more rigorous, and I’ve seen talented designers get rejected for submitting too early with borderline evidence. Focus on creating clear documentation of your design system contributions with measurable outcomes, and ensure all evidence directly addresses Tech Nation’s criteria with specific examples of your exceptional talent rather than just good professional work.
2 Likes
First, do you have less than five years experience? If yes then you may be eligible for promise.
The mandatory criteria looks promising but it would help if your second evidence confirms that you led growth in the company, the document show show you have leadership potential. If possible add a third or 4 evidence to increase your chances, high salary may be a good additional evidence for media mention of your work.
Optional Criteria 3 looks good but been mindful of self authorship, as much as possible align the framing bof the evidence title to the requirement on tech nation. Guide.
Optional Criteria two. No point adding your participation in conferenced for if you were not a speaker or panelist. Also for the mentoring contribution, was it physical mentoring? Is there a selection criteria for mentors?
For design volunteering, is it structured? What evidence are you providing?