Global Talent visa consultant: how to choose a Stage 1 endorsement adviser

Useful help

A Stage 1 adviser can help you choose the right route and plan your evidence

We offer this service ourselves, so weigh this guide with that in mind. Most of the work in a Stage 1 application is deciding what to submit and how it fits the criteria. A good adviser saves you time on that. The endorsing bodies do not review documents before you submit or comment on your chances, so an independent check can be useful.

• Choosing the endorsing body and Exceptional Talent or Exceptional Promise
• Mapping your evidence to each criterion without reusing documents
• Planning who should write your letters and what each should cover
• Checking page limits, dates, translations and letter content
• Reviewing the full application before you submit

Limits

No adviser can guarantee endorsement or write your letters for you

The endorsing body makes the decision, so any promise of an outcome is one an adviser cannot keep. Letters must be written for your application by the person signing them. Most letter authors must know your work, but the second research letter author does not need to know you personally. Tech Nation does not accept templates for letters, personal statements or evidence.

• Tech Nation may treat letters that are templates, duplicates or close copies of other applicants' evidence as fraudulent
• Tech Nation does not accept letters, personal statements or evidence created with AI tools
• Arts Council England does not accept general reference letters or testimonials
• Endorsing bodies may contact your letter writers to check the letters

Red flags

Walk away if an adviser promises results or offers ready-made letters

Some warning signs are easy to spot. Others look like reassurance. Tech Nation's rules are that falsified, altered or misleading information, from you or from someone acting for you, will most likely lead to non-endorsement, and that false claims will be reported to the Home Office.

• A guaranteed endorsement, or a refund promise presented as a guarantee
• Success rates or client numbers you cannot check
• Offers to supply letters, referees or template statements
• Suggestions to stretch job titles, dates or your role in a project
• Pressure to pay today or a discount that expires within hours
• No clear answer on what happens if you are refused

Before you pay

Ask these questions before you sign anything

A good adviser will answer these clearly and in writing. Vague answers are a warning in themselves.

• Which endorsing bodies and routes do you work on?
• What exactly will you do, and what will I do myself?
• Who will review my application, and how much time will they spend on it?
• How do you handle letters, given that I must get them from my own referees?
• What is included in the fee, and what happens if I am refused?
• Do you give immigration advice, and if not, who should I speak to?

Your part

You still own the application, its evidence and its letters

An adviser can help shape your application, but the content must be accurate and verifiable. You will need to collect your own evidence and ask your own referees for letters. Contact your referees early, because their letters often take the longest to arrive.

• Gather evidence that can be checked, such as accounts, press coverage or award records
• Brief each referee on the criteria and let them write in their own words
• Make sure each letter gives different examples of your work
• Keep your CV, statement and evidence consistent with each other

If refused

Know what an adviser can do if your application is refused

If your endorsement application is refused, you can ask for a free review within 28 days if you think it was not judged correctly. You cannot add new evidence at review. Some applicants choose instead to prepare a new application with stronger evidence. Ask an adviser before you sign up whether they will read the refusal with you, help you decide between a review and a new application, and what that costs.

Visa stage

When you need an immigration solicitor

A Stage 1 adviser works on the endorsement application only. Stage 2 is a separate application to the Home Office after endorsement. For immigration advice, including questions about your visa, family or current status, speak to an immigration solicitor.