Work in the UK as a leader in arts and culture (Global Talent visa)

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Architecture

You can apply as either a:

  • leader in your field (called ‘exceptional talent’)
  • potential leader in your field (called ‘exceptional promise’)

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) will judge your application on behalf of Arts Council England.

If your Global Talent application is successful, you will need to apply to be placed on the Architects Registration Board (ARB). You must be registered before you can call yourself an architect in the UK.

Find out more about registering as an architect on the ARB website.

Eligibility

You need to:

  • have worked regularly in the field for the last 5 years
  • be producing work that is published internationally and that RIBA judges to be ‘outstanding’
  • prove that your work is well known in at least 2 countries - if you’re applying as a leader

Documents you must provide

You must provide:

  • 3 letters of recommendation that you’ll need to send in with your application
  • up to 10 pieces of evidence showing your exceptional talent or promise - each must be 2 sides of A4 paper or less and from the last 5 years

Letters of recommendation

You must get 2 letters from established organisations that are experts in your field. At least one of these must be based in the UK.

The third letter can be from an established organisation or a person, but they must be an expert in your field.

The letters must:

  • be about your Global Talent application - you cannot use a letter that was written for another reason
  • be signed by a senior member of the organisation
  • say how the person knows you
  • show your achievements in the field, and how you are a leader or potential leader
  • say how you would benefit from living in the UK
  • say how you would contribute to cultural life in the UK
  • explain what plans you have for work in the future

The letters must also:

  • be typed and dated
  • be up to 3 single sides of A4 paper, excluding the author’s credentials and contact details
  • be signed by the author, or by someone on behalf of the organisation recommending you
  • include a telephone number and email address, and the organisation’s logo and registered address, if applicable
  • come with the author’s CV (or other proof of their credentials that the endorsing body will accept)

Other evidence you need to provide

You need to show evidence of at least 2 of the following:

  • international media recognition
  • international awards
  • international publication or exhibitions

International media recognition

Give at least 2 examples of your work appearing in reviews in the last 5 years, for example online or in a national publication or broadcast.

If you’re applying as a leader this work must be:

  • judged to be ‘significant’ by RIBA
  • from at least 2 countries

International awards

Give proof that you have won, or made a direct contribution to winning, at least one international award in the last 5 years. If you’re applying as a potential leader you can include if you’ve been nominated.

Examples of awards include Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Venice Biennale of Architecture Award or AIA Young Architects Awards. It cannot be a grant or bursary.

Your evidence must include:

  • the category of award
  • the year of nomination
  • proof that you were involved, from the person or organisation named on the award

International publication or exhibitions

Give at least 2 examples of your work appearing in exhibitions, publications or galleries in the last 5 years. RIBA must judge these to be ‘internationally significant’.

Examples include:

  • monographs published by international publishing houses
  • festivals like the World Festival of Architecture
  • curated architecture exhibitions like the RIBA Gallery

Apply for endorsement

Once you have the documents, you can apply for endorsement.

You will get a decision about your endorsement within 8 weeks.

Apply for the Global Talent visa

You can apply for the Global Talent visa at the same time as you apply for endorsement, or after you have the endorsement confirmed.

If your permission to stay in the UK is about to expire, applying for the visa will extend it until you’ve been given a decision.

Applying for the visa takes 3 weeks if you’re outside the UK, and 8 weeks if you’re inside the UK.

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