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

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Film and television

You can apply for an endorsement if you work in:

  • film
  • television
  • animation
  • post production
  • visual effects

The Producers’ Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact) will judge your application on behalf of Arts Council England. Pact will judge if you’re a leader in your field (called ‘exceptional talent’).

You can apply for the Global Talent visa without an endorsement if you’ve won an eligible prize.

Documents you must provide

You must provide:

  • 3 letters of recommendation that you’ll need to send in with your application – each must be 3 sides of A4 paper or less
  • up to 10 single 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 arts or culture 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 arts or culture 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
  • 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 must include

You need to show evidence of one of the following:

  • Academy Awards, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Emmys
  • notable industry recognition

Academy Awards, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Emmys

You do not need to apply for an endorsement if you’ve won an eligible prize. You can apply for the visa straight away. 

If your prize is not included on the eligible prize list, you must apply for an endorsement as well as the visa.

To apply for an endorsement, you must have done one of the following:

  • won or been nominated in the last 10 years
  • made a significant contribution to someone else winning or being nominated in the last 10 years
  • had at least 2 nominations in the last 15 years

In your endorsement application you must include:

  • the year and category of the prize
  • evidence of your involvement, if you are not named on the prize

Notable Industry recognition

You can also show industry recognition for your work by giving proof of both:

You must also provide proof of any of the following:

  • multiple interviews from high-profile media outlets in different territories

  • numerous festival screenings at high profile festivals in multiple territories

  • official listings of international work or works which are credited to you

For the prizes, you must have done one of the following:

  • won at least 2 prizes

  • won one prize at any time and been nominated for another in the last 6 years

  • been nominated for at least 3 prizes in the last 6 years

  • made a contribution to winning or being nominated for 3 prizes in the last 3 years

The prizes, nominations or contributions must be:

  • on the Pact notable industry recognition awards list 

  • for productions that had a theatrical release or that have been streamed on a well-established and recognised media platform

  • for at least 2 different productions - you cannot qualify with prizes, nominations or contributions for one production

In your endorsement application you must include:

  • the year and category of the prize

  • evidence of your involvement, if you are not named on the prize

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.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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