In an increasingly global market for tech talent, with new tech hubs emerging in Asia competing with the UK, US and Europe, how can the UK remain as one of the world’s most attractive places to start a tech company? And how do we attract the talent needed to scale companies to global success?

The UK competes for tech talent with other major global tech hubs located mainly in North America, Asia and Europe.

• North America - the US is the global leader in startup creation and ecosystem strength due to massive VC funding and world-class universities, with major tech hubs in San Francisco/Silicon Valley, New York and LA. Toronto and Vancouver drive AI innovation in Canada.
• Asia - has a rapidly rising share of tech startups with Singapore the fastest growing hub in the world due to government backed incentives and low taxes (based on Fintech and blockchain). Chinese hubs including Beijing and Shanghai have all improved in rankings with strong growth in AI, Fintech and Life Sciences startups. Tokyo and Bengaluru are also in the top hubs in Asia.
• Europe - a large and well-established tech ecosystem but showed signs of stagnation in 2025. London remains the second largest tech hub in the world (strengths in fintech and AI) with incentives like the Global Talent Visa. Other major European hubs in Berlin, Paris, Munich, Stockholm and Amsterdam benefit from EU cross-border talent mobility.

Competition for global tech talent is heating up with new tech hubs emerging in the UAE and China. 

The Tech Talent Pool

The UK, and particularly London, continues to be a very attractive destination for a career in tech, with more tech talent moving to the UK than leaving. This has been consistent for several years, but since 2022 the net gain has been reducing. 

The government has not yet released the 2025/26 data, but evidence suggests that the number of skilled tech workers coming to the UK has continued to decline since a peak of 53,729 in 2022 to 37,381 in 2024 – a 30% drop. Stricter visa rules, a higher English language skills requirement and increased fees have led to this significant drop in skilled professionals entering the country. 

Tech is one of the sectors most reliant on skilled migration and although there remains a net gain in tech talent for the UK, the position has weakened. Across Europe and the US there is a similar trend all of which has largely been driven by a reduction in talent from India, reflecting India’s lower level of net migration. 

Tech Talent From India

Indian tech workers have historically represented the vast majority of high-skill entrants to the US workforce – accounting for approximately 70% of all H-1B visas issued. However, there has been a 40% increase in Indian tech professionals relocating from the US back to India in 2025. Layoffs (30-40% of all laid-off tech workers in 2025 were Indian) and H-1B rule changes (forcing workers to leave or stranded outside the US unable to return to their jobs) account for this increase.

With geopolitical tensions, tightening visa policies, trade uncertainty, and political unpredictability in the US, there is an opportunity for the UK and Europe to be more attractive to startup founders and skilled tech workers.

The EU Visa Strategy

Indeed, the European Commission has announced its first-ever EU Visa Strategy, expected to take effect in 2026. The strategy aims to address skills shortages with access to member states via fully digital, simplified and fast-track procedures for researchers, STEM professionals, startup founders and innovative entrepreneurs.

“Visa policy is a strategic tool for Europe’s security and Europe’s competitiveness. A modern, reliable and efficient visa system strengthens security and trust with partners while helping attract highly skilled professionals, innovative ideas and investment, and supports Europe’s position as a destination of choice for talent. This is how Europe stays competitive globally, creates quality jobs and builds a strong, fair and prosperous society.” Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

How Can The UK Compete?

The EU is still far behind the UK in attracting tech talent via visa schemes, having relied on free movement within the Schengen area. The UK has actively used visa schemes to attract global tech workers since the introduction of the Tier 1 (exceptional talent) visa in 2011. 

The Global Talent Visa is the UK’s flagship program for attracting global talent. It replaced the Tier 1 visa in 2020 to allow highly skilled workers to apply without a job offer or sponsorship. Faster access for AI and cybersecurity professionals was added in 2025. 

The visa has been highly successful in attracting and retaining elite tech talent, strengthening the UK’s innovation ecosystem, and keeping London competitive against other major hubs. Although endorsement criteria remain demanding, the scheme brings in high‑impact individuals who meaningfully contribute to the UK’s science, technology, and startup landscape.

To remain one of the world’s best places to start and scale a tech company, the UK must double down on what it already does well (talent, innovation, capital, research institutions) while making it easier not only to start a company but to scale a world‑class tech company.

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