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.

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.

You can apply as either a: leader in your field (called ‘exceptional talent’) potential leader in your field (called ‘exceptional promise’) The British Fashion Council will judge your application on behalf of Arts Council England. Eligibility You need to have been working regularly in your field for the last 5 years. If you’re applying as a leader you must be producing work that: is sold or exhibited internationally on catwalk exhibitions the British Fashion Council judges to be ‘outstanding’ is well known in at least 2 countries If you’re applying as a potential leader you must be producing work which is: sold or exhibited internationally recognised by leading figures in the fashion industry 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 3 letters from established organisations that are experts in your field. If you are applying as a leader at least one of these organisations must be based in the UK. 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) Depending on whether you’re applying as a leader or as a potential leader, there is other evidence you need to provide. Evidence of exceptional talent You need to show evidence of at least 2 of the following: international media recognition international awards or sponsorship international shows or exhibitions international distribution and sales International media recognition Give at least 2 examples of your work appearing in reviews, for example online or in a national publication or broadcast. This work must be from at least 2 countries. The British Fashion Council must judge it to be ‘significant’. Do not include event listings or adverts. International awards or sponsorship You must give proof that you either: won, were nominated or shortlisted for an award helped someone else win, be nominated or shortlisted for an award For example: The Fashion Awards Elle Style Award LVMH Prize You must give: full details of the shortlist, nomination or award, including year and category evidence of your involvement if part of a group evidence that you were involved from the named person on the award, nomination or shortlist, if needed International shows or exhibitions Give proof of catwalk shows, presentations or exhibitions. The British Fashion Council must judge these to be ‘internationally significant’. International distribution and sales Give proof of distribution and sales through international retailers and boutiques, or through your own channels. You must give: the current number of outlets or stockists of your products the number of sales in the top 5 stockists a breakdown of sales including dates - if you’re selling through your own channels Evidence of exceptional promise You need to show evidence of at least 2 of the following: international media recognition support or sponsorship sales from luxury clients industry recognition International media recognition Give at least 2 examples of your work appearing in reviews, for example online or in a national publication or broadcast. You can also include evidence from social media, if it’s from an account that the British Fashion Council judges to be ‘prominent’. Do not include event listings or adverts. Support or sponsorship Give proof of support or sponsorship from British Fashion Council schemes, or similar schemes from outside the UK. For example: - a British Fashion Council scheme, for example Newgen - a scheme run by an international organisation similar to the British Fashion Council, for example the Council of Fashion Designers in America The Fashion East Support Scheme The Sarabande Foundation The Centre for Fashion Enterprise You must give the: name of the scheme and organisation date the sponsorship or support was given Sales from luxury clients Give proof of one or more order from a luxury retailer or boutique. This can be in the UK or abroad. You must give the name of the buyer and the date the order was placed. Industry recognition Give proof that your graduating collection was recognised by what the British Fashion Council judge to be ‘leading industry players’. This can include: fashion designers brands retailers 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.

You can apply for 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’). 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 - each must be 2 sides of A4 paper or less 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 industry recognition Academy Awards, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Emmys 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 award evidence of your involvement, if you are not named on the award Industry recognition You can also show industry recognition for your work by giving proof of all of the following: international distribution sales being involved in awards on the Pact notable industry recognition awards list multiple interviews from high-profile media outlets in different territories For the awards, you must have done one of the following: won at least 2 awards won one award at any time and been nominated for another in the last 6 years been nominated for at least 3 awards in the last 6 years made a contribution to winning or being nominated for 3 awards in the last 3 years The awards, nominations or contributions must be: on the Pact notable industry recognition awards list for productions that had a theatrical release for at least 2 different productions - you cannot qualify with awards, nominations or contributions for one production In your endorsement application you must include: the year and category of the award evidence of your involvement, if you are not named on the award 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.

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

Overview

With a Global Talent visa you can work in the UK, if you are a leader or potential leader in one of the following fields:

combined arts, dance, literature, music, theatre or visual arts
architecture
fashion design
film and television, including animation, post production and visual effects

Check the full list of eligible arts and culture fields.

You can also work in the UK on a Global Talent visa if you’ve won an eligible award.

If you’re not eligible for a Global Talent visa, there are other ways to work in the UK - for example a Skilled Worker visa.

What you can do with a Global Talent visa

A Global Talent visa lets you:

choose how long your visa is for, up to 5 years
be an employee, self-employed and a director of a company
change or stop doing your job without telling the Home Office
bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
travel abroad and return to the UK

There are no language or minimum salary eligibility requirements.

If you want to stay longer in the UK, you can renew your visa as many times as you like if you meet the eligibility criteria for extending your stay.

You can also apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) after:

3 years if you’re applying as a leader
5 years if you’re applying as a potential leader

What you cannot do with a Global Talent visa

You cannot:

apply for most benefits (‘public funds’)
work as a sportsperson

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Global Talent visa.

How to apply

To get a Global Talent visa you need to apply for an ‘endorsement’, as well as for the visa itself.

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

Applying for an endorsement

You need to apply for an endorsement to prove you’re a leader or potential leader in your field.

The Home Office will send your application to be reviewed by a UK organisation (‘endorsing body’) with expertise in your field.

How you apply depends on if you work in:

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

Applying for the visa

There’s a separate guide to applying for your Global Talent visa, including how your partner or child can apply.

You usually get a decision about your visa within:

3 weeks if you’re outside the UK
8 weeks if you’re inside the UK

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

When you can apply for the 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.

The earliest you can apply for a visa is 3 months before you travel.

Example

You can apply from 16 March if you plan to travel on 15 June.

Fees

It costs £716 to apply.

If you’re applying based on an endorsement, you’ll pay the £716 in two parts:

£524 when you apply for the endorsement
£192 when you apply for the visa itself

If you’re applying based on an eligible award, you’ll pay the full £716 when you apply for the visa.

If you’re including your partner or children in your application, they’ll each need to pay £716.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application - this is usually £1,035 per year for each person applying.

Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

If your endorsement application is refused

If your application is turned down you can request an endorsement review.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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

Overview

What you can do with a Global Talent visa

What you cannot do with a Global Talent visa

How to apply

Applying for an endorsement

Applying for the visa

When you can apply for the visa

Example

Fees

Healthcare surcharge

If your endorsement application is refused

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

Overview

What you can do with a Global Talent visa

What you cannot do with a Global Talent visa

How to apply

Applying for an endorsement

Applying for the visa

When you can apply for the visa

Example

Fees

Healthcare surcharge

If your endorsement application is refused

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