Global Talent – Arts Council

The Global Talent route is an immigration pathway for talented individuals – Here we delve into the specialisms of arts and culture, in order to live and work in the UK and contribute to the UK’s cultural climate. 

Eligibility under the Global Talent route

The Global Talent visa route is available to professional artists and art practitioners who are internationality recognised as exceptionally talented (world leaders) or exceptionally promising (potential world leaders in the future). This covers a variety of fields; including dance, literature, music, theatre, combined arts, photography and visual arts (including museums and galleries).

This visa route also includes talented professionals working in film and television, animation, post-production, visual effects industries, fashion designers, architects and architectural designers.

Applicants can apply on the basis of exceptional promise if they are at an early stage in their career, or, on the basis of exceptional talent if they are more established. 

The visa application process is in two stages. Applicants would, generally, need to be endorsed by Arts Council England, which is an endorsing body with expertise in the field. If the endorsement application is successful, applicants can then go on to make a Global Talent visa application to the Home Office. In some circumstances, both applications can be submitted at the same time. 

Exceptional talent applicants who have previously won a prestigious prize (included in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes) can bypass the need for endorsement, and can apply directly for a Global Talent visa. Examples of prestigious prizes include Brit Awards, Academy Awards, and Olivier Awards. 

If granted permission under the Global Talent route, applicants can live and work in the UK for up to five years at a time. Under the rules currently in place, after three or five years (depending on whether they are endorsed as exceptionally talented or showing exceptional promise), they can apply to extend their stay, or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known as settlement, providing that they can continue to meet the requirements of this visa route.

Endorsement for Arts and Culture applicants (Stage 1)

Arts Council England is the endorsement body for most relevant disciplines, and a full list of supported disciplines is published in the Art Council England Global Talent guidance.

Although under Arts Council England’s application process, the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) will assess applications from those working in film and TV, the British Fashion Council (BFC) from fashion designers, and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) from architects and architectural designers.

To qualify for an Arts and Culture endorsement, applicants must show that they:

• are professionally engaged in producing outstanding performed, presented, distributed, or internationally exhibited work; and
• have had regular professional engagement in their field in the last five years; and
• either have a substantial track record in more than one country (if applying under exceptional talent), or a developing track record in one or more countries (if applying under exceptional promise).

Endorsement applications must be supported by the following evidence:

• three letters of support;
• ten individual pieces of physical supporting evidence; and
• an artistic CV or résumé.

The endorsement application is made online and is usually decided within eight weeks. 

If Arts Council England does not recommend an applicant for endorsement, there may be three potential options:

• Submit an Endorsement Review – This can be the right option if an applicant thinks that an error has been made in making the decision.
• Make a fresh endorsement application – Applicants must be aware that they will have to pay the application fee again.
• Make an application under a different immigration route – Global Talent is not the only visa route for artists and creatives. Other options can include a Skilled Worker visa or a Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work).

Global Talent visa (Stage 2)

Once the endorsement application has been approved (stage 1), applicants can then make an immigration application to the Home Office (stage 2).  It is also possible to apply for Stage 1 and 2 simultaneously. However, if the endorsement application is refused, the immigration application will also be refused.

The immigration application is made online. Applicants can apply from outside the UK (entry clearance application) or from inside the UK (permission to stay application), if they are residing in the country under a different immigration route and wish to switch to a Global Talent visa.

The standard processing time is currently approximately three weeks for applications made from outside the UK, and eight weeks for in-country applications. 

Applicants applying based on an endorsement will pay the application fee in two parts; part when applying for the endorsement and part when applying for the visa itself. Applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. Applicants who are including their partner or children in their applications will also need to pay the required fees for each additional family member. 

Extending a Global Talent visa or applying for ILR

Applicants may be able to extend their visa or apply for ILR after five years residence in the UK. When applying for an extension or ILR, the applicant would need to prove to the Home Office that they have been in paid employment within their field of endorsement. Additionally, they must also not have had their endorsement withdrawn by the endorsing body, and they must also meet the rest of requirements.

One beneficial aspect of the Global Talent visa is that exceptional talent applicants may be able to progress to ILR under the accelerated route, allowing them to apply after three years of residence in the UK, rather than the usual five years, providing that they meet the requirements. This accelerated route, unfortunately, does not apply to dependants.

Advantages of obtaining a Global Talent visa

The Global Talent visa offers many benefits, for example:

• Unlike many other visa routes, applicants do not require sponsorship from an employer or evidence of having already secured a job. Instead, applicants require an endorsement of their talent from Arts Council England, as explained above.
• If granted, this visa route allows applicants to work for any employer, switch jobs, work as a director of a company, be self-employed, or study in the UK, without having to seek further permission or having to notify the Home Office (i.e. they are not tied to one employer/job).
• Close family members are permitted to apply under this route as dependant family members (partner and children).
• Global Talent visa holders cannot apply for public funds (such as benefits, tax credits, and housing allowance). However, they can apply for grant funding from Arts Council England, such as Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants and Developing your Creative Practice. These grants come from National Lottery funds, not public funds.
• The possibility of accelerated ILR.

Conclusion

The Global Talent route is one of the most flexible and desirable immigration options for artists and cultural workers seeking to establish a long-term connection or their home in the UK.

The main requirement under this route is to obtain an endorsement by Arts Council England. Endorsement applications can be complex, and the evidence provided must be carefully prepared and well presented to the endorsement body. Obtaining specialist, tailored legal advice in preparing an endorsement application is usually the best option to maximize the chances of success.

Global Talent visa: How our Immigration Solicitors can help

Our team specialise in Global Talent applications, and we can provide expert guidance and assistance to you throughout the process. 

Our team of immigration specialists can:

• Carry out a thorough review of your eligibility
• Offer hands-on support when preparing and submitting both your endorsement and immigration application
• Advise on the documents you need to ensure your application has the best chance of success.

To speak with a member of our team, please contact us.