US to UK Immigration Series: Toni Laites, Love Island 2025 winner

As a result of the current US political climate, the UK has become an attractive relocation option for US nationals. Conversely, the UK is also known for its strict, purpose-driven immigration system, prompting many US nationals to ask a key question: How can I relocate to the UK?

Welcome to Irwin Mitchell’s US to UK immigration series. In this series we will explore possible immigration options available to US nationals wishing to relocate to the UK, starting with Toni Laites, the first US national to win Love Island UK. 

Now. Let’s talk Love Island. This year’s series of Love Island UK had viewers locked in experiencing twists, turns and dreaded triangles. A reported 1.3 million viewers tuned in to the live final to witness Toni and her partner, Cach Mercer, win the £50,000 prize. 

Throughout the series, Toni made it clear in no uncertain terms that she will be relocating to the UK to be with her newfound love. We will now consider the possible immigration options available to Toni to enable the couple to continue their holiday romance!

Background

Before we delve in, we will firstly outline Toni’s background to determine the most suitable visa options. 

Creative Worker visa

What is it? The Creative Worker visa allows individuals to live in the UK to work in the creative industry. Creative workers include artists, dancers, musicians, entertainers in film and television, and models. The Creative Worker visa is tied to a specific role and a specific commissioning organisation. 

What does it offer? The Creative Worker visa can be granted for a period of up to 12 months with the potential to extend for a further 12 months, subject to meeting eligibility requirements. At the end of this period, the individual will either need to apply to stay under another immigration route or leave the UK as this route does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (“ILR”), which is permanent residence in the UK.

What are the requirements? There are various requirements to be met under the Creative Worker route, however the main requirements relate to whether the individual can make a unique contribution to the UK’s rich cultural life in line with the Home Office’s specifications.

For example, the applicant will need to demonstrate that the creative work to be undertaken in the UK will comply with Appendix Creative Worker Codes of Practice oris listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations and that they will make a unique contribution to creative life in the UK.

Considerations for Toni? The Creative Worker visa may be a viable option for Toni if she is commissioned to work in film/ television roles, as a fashion model or possibly as an influencer. However, the requirements under this route are intricate and therefore careful consideration will need to be taken to ensure the requirements can be satisfied. 

Having said that, the Creative Worker visa can only be granted for a total duration of 24 months and the route does not lead to ILR. Even if Toni is eligible, this route may not be the most suitable option considering her wishes to relocate permanently to the UK. 

Skilled Worker visa

What is it? The Skilled Worker visa enables individuals to live in the UK to work for a specific employer in a specific role. The Skilled Worker visa is therefore tied to employment in the UK.

What does it offer? The Skilled Worker visa can be granted for a period of up to 5 years and after completing 5 years, there will be an opportunity to apply for ILR.

What are the requirements? There are various requirements to be met under the Skilled Worker route, however the main requirements relate to the skill and salary thresholds which increased significantly on 22 July 2025. The skill threshold increased from RQF Level 3 (A-Level equivalent) to RQF Level 6 (Bachelor’s degree equivalent) and the salary threshold increased from £38,700 to £41,700 (higher for certain roles). 

Considerations for Toni? Although the salary threshold is unlikely to be an issue, the skill threshold would require careful consideration. Prior to the changes on 22 July 2025, Toni may have considered being sponsored under occupation code 3413 Actors, entertainers and presenters which includes social media influencers and TV personalities. However, this occupation code has now been classified as being below RQF Level 6 and is therefore no longer sponsorable.

Toni may therefore need to consider another approach. Under the Skilled Worker route, an individual can establish a company in the UK and that company can sponsor their visa as self-sponsorship is no longer restricted by the Home Office. In such circumstances Toni may take up a senior role within the organisation where eligible occupation codes such as 1255 Managers and directors in the creative industries or 3416 Arts officers, producers and directors may be more suitable.

If possible, the Skilled Worker visa may be a good option as it will enable Toni to live and work in the UK and ultimately, apply for ILR after 5 years.

Global Talent visa

What is it? The Global Talent visa allows exceptionally talented and exceptionally promising individuals in the fields of science, technology, humanities, and arts and culture (including film and television, fashion design and architecture) to live in the UK and work in their chosen field. The Global Talent visa is not tied to a specific employer.

What does it offer? The Global Talent visa can be granted for a period of up to 5 years and after completing 3 or 5 years in the UK (depending on certain criteria) there will be an opportunity to apply for ILR.

What are the requirements? There are various requirements to be met under the Global Talent route, however the main requirements relate to the individual’s track record of success within their chosen field. 

The applicant will need to have won a prestigious prize as listed on Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes within their field or be endorsed by a Home Office approved endorsing body. The endorsing body will need to confirm that the individual is a leader and has made significant contributions in their field or has demonstrable potential to do so. 

The Home Office has recently announced that the Global Talent application process will soon be simplified as it is notorious for being complex and convoluted.

Considerations for Toni? The Global Talent visa may be a consideration for Toni however she will need to firstly demonstrate that her capabilities fall within the specified fields and secondly, that she has a sufficient track record within the industry. Meeting these requirements may be all the more challenging considering that endorsements within the film and television industry (which may be applicable to Toni) are only available to those who are well-established in their field, i.e. the exceptionally talented, not those showing exceptional promise. 

In light of the above, although the Global Talent route may be the most desirable option, meeting the eligibility criteria may be a challenge, if at all possible.

Partner visa

What is it? The Partner visa allows individuals to live in the UK based on a relationship with a partner. The partner must be a British citizen, hold ILR or meet other specified residency requirements. This visa is tied to the relationship with said partner.

What does it offer? The Partner visa will be granted for a period of 2.5 years and can be extended for a further 2.5 years. After completing 5 years in the UK there will be an opportunity to apply for ILR.

What are the requirements? There are various requirements to be met under the Partner route but for Toni’s purposes the most crucial would be the “partner” requirement.

To meet the partner requirement, the couple will need to show that they are either married/ in a civil partnership or have been in a relationship similar to marriage for at least 2 years. 

Considerations for Toni? The partner visa may suit Toni’s wishes to remain in the UK but unfortunately, it is not a viable option as the couple do not currently meet the partner requirement. Moreover, given the couple’s Love Island success, they are now likely to face public scrutiny; having a visa dependent on their relationship may be additional pressure the couple are not quite ready to take on! 

Winner

We have considered multiple visa options, highlighting crucial eligibility requirements and factors that may align or clash with Toni’s wishes to relocate to the UK. 

Based on the information available the most suitable option appears to be the Skilled Worker visa*. Provided the skill level requirement does not prove to be an issue, the Skilled Worker visa will enable Toni to bask in her relationship, leverage her newfound fame and most importantly, make the UK a new place to call home.

*Other visa pathways may be available.