Technology industry demands for special measures to let companies hire foreign workers after Brexit have been boosted by a surge in demand for technology visas.

Tech City UK, the government organisation that processes applications for the dedicated “Tier 1 Exceptional Talent” visa, said successful applications had more than quadrupled in the last 12 months, with 260 endorsed in the last fiscal year.

It follows fears in the British tech community that access to skilled computer coders would be hit by restrictions to freedom of movement when the UK leaves the EU.

David Cameron introduced the tech visa scheme in 2014 in a bid to make London the technology capital of Europe and rival Silicon Valley as a destination for start-ups, and amid fears of a shortage of skilled coders in the UK.

The “Tech Nation” visa scheme allows Tech City UK to endorse applications from non-EU workers, and lets successful applicants stay in the country for five years, after which they can apply to settle.

Just a handful of visas were granted in its first few months, due to what were seen as onerous requirements, and the rules were relaxed in 2015. Applications have soared since then, and rose again after the Brexit vote.