I have reviewed a lot of feedback from Tech Nation Visa assessors and understand how confusing their feedback can be and why you weren’t successful.  I have advocated for many unsuccessful applicants and have been successful in their appeal.  

With a 54% endorsement rate by Tech Nation, I am often contacted by unsuccessful applicants who have applied for exceptional talent or exceptional promise for the Global Talent Visa (formerly Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa).

I completely understand how disappointing it must feel when an email comes in and the news isn’t good.

The most common questions I receive are:

1. Should I appeal?

This depends on what the decision or feedback was.  The most common feedback is that the applicant has failed to meet the mandatory or optional criteria.  If you decide to appeal, you must convince the new assessor that the first assessor made a mistake and did not consider the evidence submitted.  

2. The assessor’s feedback is incorrect. I have submitted evidence to meet the criteria and the assessor considered that I didn’t meet it. 

If you consider the assessor made an error, you can point where the error was made in your appeal and refer to the documents or evidence submitted.

3. What should I do? 

This depends on what the feedback was.  I’ve had instances were applicants were unsuccessful because they did not meet the criteria. I worked with the client and instead of appealing, we decided to use the assessor’s feedback and submit a fresh application.  The new application was accepted and my client was endorsed.

4. If I appeal, what are the chances that the decision is overturned? 

This depends because of the evidence submitted in the first instance.  You cannot submit fresh evidence in your appeal, but only re-iterate evidence that was submitted. Even if you submit an appeal, and are unsuccessful again, the good news is you will receive further feedback which will help you submit a fresh application.  So, all will not be lost if you decide to submit a fresh application because you will have 2 pieces of feedback to refer to.

5. If I don’t appeal, can I resubmit a fresh application?

Yes, sometimes it’s better to submit a fresh application using the feedback provided. I would need to review your application and assessor’s decision to help you work out your options.

*Disclaimer – the Stage 1 endorsement for exceptional talent and exceptional promise are not visa applications. I only coach in Stage 1 endorsement applications.  For any immigration advice, please seek the services of an immigration solicitor.