Work in the UK as a leader in arts and culture (Global Talent visa)
Combined arts, dance, literature, music, theatre or visual arts
You can apply as either a:
- leader in your field (called ‘exceptional talent’)
- potential leader in your field (called ‘exceptional promise’)
Arts Council England will judge your application.
Eligibility
You need to be producing work that is published or performed internationally and that Arts Council England judges to be ‘outstanding’.
You will also need to prove people have engaged with your work. For example through:
- appearances
- performances
- publications
- exhibitions
The work can be work you did on your own or as a member of a group. You can also include examples where you contributed to a group’s work but were not a member.
Applying as a leader
You need to prove you have:
- been part of your field for the last 5 years
- a ‘substantial’ record of work in at least 2 countries - one of the countries can be your own country of residence
Applying as a potential leader
You’re likely to be earlier in your career, usually with less than 5 years of experience.
You need to prove you have a ‘developing’ record of work in at least 2 countries, one of which can be your country of residence.
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
- a copy of your CV
Your CV must:
- outline your career and any publication history, if applicable
- be typed
Letters of recommendation
You must provide 3 letters of recommendation from experts in your field that you’ve previously worked with.
One letter must be from an established arts and culture organisation or an individual.
Two letters must be from established arts and culture organisations. At least one of these must be based in the UK.
The letters must:
- be about your Global Talent application - you cannot use a letter 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 appearances or exhibitions
International media recognition
Give at least 2 examples of your work appearing in reviews, for example online or in a national publication or broadcast.
Reviews must be from arts and culture critics in internationally recognised and well-established media outlets.
If you’re applying as a leader, this work must be:
- your own or work you did as a member of a group
- from at least 2 countries
- judged to be ‘significant’ by Arts Council England
If you’re applying as a potential leader, you must give examples of work from one or more countries. It can be your own work, work you did as a member of a group or work you did for someone else.
Your evidence must include:
- the date of publication
- the country where the review is from
- a comment on the quality of your work
- your name
If you’re applying as a potential leader and you’re not named in the evidence, you must provide other proof that you were involved in the work - for example, a letter from a senior member of the organisation or someone who is named in the evidence.
International awards
You do not need to apply for an endorsement if you’ve won an award that is included on the eligible prize list. You can apply for the visa straight away.
If your award is not included on the list, you must give proof that you have won at least one international award. You can include awards that you’ve made a ‘significant’ contribution to winning. If you’re applying as a potential leader, you can include examples where you’ve been nominated or shortlisted.
Examples of awards include Booker, Grammy or a domestic award like a Tony. It cannot be a grant or bursary.
Your evidence must include:
- the category of award
- the year of nomination
- proof that you were involved in the work that received the award
International appearances or exhibitions
Give proof that your work has been displayed, sold or performed internationally at a professional level at a professional level. The proof must come from national publications, broadcasts or distribution data.
It must include:
- the date it happened
- the country where it happened
- details of what you did
- proof that you were involved, given by someone senior - if you’re applying as a potential leader
If you’re applying as a leader you must provide evidence from at least 2 countries.
Apply for endorsement
Once you have the documents, you can apply for endorsement.
The application form refers to combined arts, dance, literature, music, theatre or visual arts as ‘arts and culture’.
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.