One of the most common rejection comments people see from Tech Nation is:
“The mandatory letters read like character references.”
This feedback is common that it has almost become a rite of passage. But the meaning behind it is simple, your referees spent too much time praising you as a person and not enough time proving your impact.
Tech Nation isn’t looking for letters that say you’re hardworking, passionate, or a joy to work with. They want evidence. Real, industry specific achievements that show you’ve already made a measurable contribution to digital technology.
To put it plainly:
- A good letter proves what you’ve done.
- A weak letter describes who you are.
And Tech Nation’s own guidance makes this clear. Each referee must:
- Be an established expert in digital technology
- Have known your work for at least 12 months
- Explain how they know you
- Describe your achievements in the field
- Show why you are exceptional talent or promise
- Explain your potential contribution to the UK digital economy
- Mention your future plans
If a letter doesn’t do these things or does them vaguely, it risks being dismissed as a character reference.
Below is a practical example of what a strong, evidence based letter looks like.
12 December 2023
To Whom It May Concern,
**RECOMMENDATION LETTER FOR RAPHAEL **
I am pleased to recommend Raphael in support of his Global Talent Visa application under the Exceptional Talent route.
My name is James Kolly, and I have worked in the global technology sector for over 15 years. I co‑founded BigIT, one of Africa’s most influential civic‑tech organisations, and currently serve as Director at Acity, where I lead technology education and product innovation initiatives. My work has been featured by the BBC, Quartz, and the World Bank, and I have advised multiple governments on digital transformation.
I first worked with Raphael just over three years ago when I needed a Technical Product Manager for a major EdTech transformation project. He came highly recommended, and from our first engagement it was clear he had the rare combination of technical depth, product intuition, and leadership maturity that is difficult to find in product professionals.
Raphael led the product development of a multi‑million‑naira EdTech intranet platform used by over 18,000 learners and educators across multiple institutions. Under his leadership, the platform achieved:
- 42% improvement in learner engagement within the first six months
- A 30% reduction in administrative workload for partner institutions
- ISO‑aligned data‑handling processes, which he helped design and document
- Successful deployment across three states without downtime during rollout
His work was externally validated when the project was shortlisted for the 2022 Africa EdTech Innovation Award, a recognition given to products demonstrating measurable educational impact. As a result of this he also nominated and won the “Most Exceptional Tech Product Growth & Strategy Professional of the Year”
Raphael’s contribution went far beyond feature delivery. He introduced a structured product discovery process, facilitated cross‑functional workshops, and mentored junior Product managers and designers. His ability to translate complex technical requirements into clear business outcomes made him the anchor of the entire project.
Beyond this project, Raphael has made a meaningful contribution to the wider tech ecosystem. Through his training programmes, as an HP Ambassador, he has helped over 5000 professionals transition into tech, many of whom now work in reputable companies across the UK, Nigeria, and Canada. His commitment to talent development is one of the reasons I believe he will be an asset to the UK digital economy.
As someone who has received the Global Talent Visa myself, I understand the level of excellence required. Raphael meets and exceeds this standard. He has the mindset, capability, and ambition to build products that scale internationally, and he has already demonstrated this through his work.
I am confident that Raphael will contribute significantly to the UK’s technology sector, particularly in product innovation, EdTech, and digital transformation. His future plans, which include building scalable learning platforms and contributing to the UK’s growing digital‑skills ecosystem, align strongly with national priorities.
Please feel free to contact me if further information is required.
Sincerely,
James Kolly
Director, BigIT Co‑Founder, Acity Inc.
Why This Recommendation Letter Meets Tech Nation’s Guidance
1. The referee is clearly an “established expert”
The letter opens by establishing the referee’s credibility:
- 15+ years in the global tech sector
- Co‑founder of a major civic‑tech organisation
- Featured by BBC, Quartz, World Bank
- Advisor to governments
This immediately satisfies Tech Nation’s requirement that the author must be a recognised expert in digital technology.
2. The relationship is clearly explained
The referee states:
- How they met Raphael
- How long they’ve known him
- The context in which they worked together
This shows a genuine professional relationship, not a generic endorsement.
3. The achievements are specific, measurable, and industry‑relevant
This is where the letter becomes very strong. It includes:
- 18,000+ users
- 42% engagement increase
- 30% reduction in admin workload
- ISO‑aligned processes
- Zero‑downtime multi‑state rollout
These are concrete, quantifiable achievements, exactly what Tech Nation looks for. Nothing here reads like a character reference; it reads like evidence.
4. External validation is included
The letter mentions:
- Shortlisting for the Africa EdTech Innovation Award
- Winning a professional award for product growth & strategy
External recognition is one of the strongest forms of evidence because it proves impact beyond internal company praise.
5. It demonstrates leadership, innovation, and ecosystem contribution
The letter highlights:
- Product leadership
- Process improvements
- Mentoring junior PMs and designers
- Training 5000+ professionals as an HP Ambassador
This aligns with Tech Nation’s requirement to show sector impact and leadership potential.
6. It clearly explains the applicant’s value to the UK
The referee explicitly states:
- Why Raphael is exceptional
- How he will contribute to the UK digital economy
- How his future plans align with national priorities
This is a mandatory requirement that many applicants overlook.
7. The tone is professional, factual, and rightly meet the criteria
The letter:
- Is written for the Global Talent Visa
- Avoids generic praise
- Focuses on achievements, not personality
- Reads like a professional endorsement, not a character reference
This makes it very difficult for an assessor to dismiss.
This sample letter is mine and is shared purely for informational and educational purposes. It should not be copied, submitted, or used in any form for an actual Global Talent Visa application.
In case you have any question you can reply directly to this post, but if you prefer to reach me privately, you can connect with me here LinkedIn
All the best.