Hey Everyone,
I just received my endorsement letter today (Tech Nation - Exceptional Promise - MC+OC2+OC4). I am a PhD Student in the AI domain.
Timeline:
- Applied: 18th March, 2026
- Home Office sent the documents to Tech Nation: 5th April, 2026
- Stage 1 endorsement letter: 7th May, 2026
My application:
[AI/ML] Application Review Request: Exceptional Promise (Final Year PhD Student)
Since I applied myself, the forum has been really helpful, especially @Raphael 's review of my application.
Some other helpful posts
[Final-year AI PhD] Promise Endorsed
Stage-1 Exceptional Talent Review (Academic Background)
[AI/ML Researcher] Promise Rejection - Please Help With The Review
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@msk1999 A big congratulations .
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This really amazing. Thank you for sharing @msk1999
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Congratulations - and a useful structural data point for others in the AI research track.
The MC+OC2+OC4 combination is worth highlighting for PhD students who assume OC4 is reserved for established faculty. The guide is explicit that peer-reviewed conference presentations count alongside journal publications, and a final-year AI researcher with work in recognised venues is precisely where that criterion lands. Pairing OC4 with OC2 also sidesteps the need for a commercial track record, which is the right call when your primary contributions are research-led.
On timing: roughly five weeks from TN receipt to endorsement letter is consistent with what’s been seen across March-May submissions. Useful reference for anyone currently planning around a visa expiry.
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Congratulations, please did you eventually used all your LOR which are professors or did you change any?
Congratulations on your application
