The road to securing a Global Talent Visa isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s not just about being skilled; it’s about proving it in a way that makes an endorsement panel sit up and say, “We need this person!” And trust me, that proof doesn’t magically appear. It requires research, strategy, and a lot of waiting—oh, the waiting!
Adeola Adeyemo, a founding engineer and now a proud Global Talent Visa recipient, went through all the highs and lows of the application process. His journey was filled with intense document preparations, chasing down busy CEOs for recommendation letters, and second-guessing every little detail. In his words, “You need proof, not vibes. You can’t just tell them you’re talented; you have to prove it.”
Step One: Understanding the Assignment
Adeola didn’t just jump into the application process blind. He did what any smart person would do—he found someone who had successfully done it before. A key conversation with a mentor gave him clarity on what needed to be done, which documents to prepare, and how to present his case.
Armed with this newfound knowledge, Adeola went all in. He knew that apart from his technical expertise, he needed strong recommendation letters, solid proof of his contributions, and a well-structured application. He was ready to roll.
The Real Struggle: Chasing Down Referees Across Time Zones
If you think writing the application is the hardest part, think again. The true test of patience? Waiting for recommendation letters. As Adeola puts it, “It wasn’t even on my time—it was on theirs. And when your referees are CEOs across different time zones, you just have to wait and pray they respond.”
Adeola had to reach out to his CEO in the U.S., the CEO of Cora, and other industry leaders. But here’s the thing: people are busy. They might have worked with you, but they don’t have your visa process at the top of their priority list. So, what did Adeola do?
✔️ He created a simple document explaining the visa process and why their recommendation was crucial.
✔️ He reminded them of specific projects they worked on together so they could recall key details.
✔️ He followed up respectfully—without being annoying.
“People forget,” he laughs. “They forget what we did together three, four, five years ago. My job was to remind them and make their job easier.”
The Google Drive of Dreams (or Nightmares?)
Managing documents is another beast of its own. Adeola set up a Google Drive and religiously updated it every single day.
Every piece of evidence—project documents, GitHub contributions, media features—went into that drive. He formatted everything properly and made sure every detail was airtight. Why? Because, as he puts it, “The people reviewing your application are looking for loopholes. If they find one, it’s over.”
The Final Review: Doubt Creeps In
By the time Adeola was ready to submit, he had gone through multiple reviews. Friends helped him go through the details, and the Monday before submission, he had one last review session with a close friend.
Her reaction? “I’m not sure you’ll get it.”
Not because Adeola wasn’t qualified, but because visa rejections can be ruthless. Even a small oversight can lead to a rejection. There’s no way to be 100% sure.
“That final week was nerve-wracking,” he recalls. “I had done everything I could, but there was still that fear of rejection.”
The Moment of Truth
Then came the email. Approved.
Adeola remembers just repeating, “Wow, wow, wow!” over and over. Relief washed over him. Five weeks of intense preparation, document gathering, and endless waiting had finally paid off.
Advice for Future Applicants
So, what would Adeola tell others trying to secure a Global Talent Visa?
1. Start early and plan strategically.
2. Make life easier for your referees—give them reminders and structured info.
3. Document your impact—every contribution counts!
4. Get feedback. Don’t submit blindly.
5. Prepare for the waiting game. Patience is key.
The Global Talent Visa process is no walk in the park, but Adeola’s story proves that with preparation, strategy, and a little bit of divine intervention, success is possible. So, are you ready to take your shot?
