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Global Talent Visa | Fashion and Film
For individuals who work in fashion or film, you may be eligible to come to the UK on a Global Talent visa if you are considered to be a leader or potential leader in your field.
Read our Global Talent visa home page for further information.
Application Process
The Global Talent visa application consists of two stages. Stage 1 involves applying for an endorsement as a leader or an emerging leader in your particular field. Stage 2 is the visa application. Although you can apply for these at the same time if the relevant body refuses the endorsement then the visa application will also be refused.
The Endorsement Stage
(If you have an eligible award this stage does not apply to you. Please see stage 1).
There are different endorsing bodies for the appropriate fields. If the field is fashion or film and television, Arts Council England will pass the application for review to either:
– British Fashion Council, for fashion
– Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT), for film and television.
These bodies will require you to evidence that:
– You are established as a leading artist or internationally recognised expert in your specialist field (Exceptional Talent)
– Have the potential to become a leading artist or internationally recognised expert in your specialist field (Exceptional Promise).
Eligibility Criteria:
Exceptional Talent – an individual applying as a leader must be producing work that:
● Is sold or exhibited internationally on catwalk exhibitions, that the British Fashion Council judges to be ‘outstanding’ and is well known in at least 2 countries and;
● Provide evidence of at least two of the following:
International media recognition
International awards or sponsorship
International shows or exhibitions
International distribution and sales.
(This criterion is specifically for fashion applicants)
● Has been professionally produced to outstanding quality and;
● Provide evidence of at least two of the following:
International media recognition
International awards or sponsorship
International shows or exhibitions
International distribution and sales.
The activity must be recent or regular. You must also have a substantial track record in more than one country or a developing track record in one or more countries.
(This criterion is specifically for film applicants).
Exceptional Promise – an individual applying as a potential leader must be producing work which is:
● Sold or exhibited internationally, recognised by leading figures in the fashion/film industry and;
● Must provide evidence of at least two of the following:
International media recognition
Support or sponsorship
Sales from luxury clients
Industry recognition.
Eligibility Criteria for Producers: – Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television have different criteria which need to be met; you will only be considered for a Global Talent application if you can show evidence for one of the following:
- Have won or in the last 10 years from your date of application, have received a nomination for one of the following awards
➔ An Academy Award;
➔ A British Academy of Film and Television Arts award;
➔ A Golden Globe;
➔ An Emmy Award. - Have within the last 10 years from the year of the application, made a significant and direct contribution to winning or being nominated for 1 of the awards mentioned above.
- Have within the last 15 years achieved a minimum of 2 nominations for 1 of the awards mentioned above.
- Demonstrate notable industry recognition by providing evidence of
➔ International distribution sales and recognition and;
➔ Having achieved one of the following combinations;
– Won a minimum of 2 awards.
– Won 1 award and within the last 6 years before the date of application, have been nominated for another.
– Within the last 6 years before the date of the application, have been nominated for a minimum of 3 awards.
– Within the last 3 years before the date of application, made a significant and direct contribution to winning 2 awards.
– Have been nominated for a minimum of 3 of the awards in the Notable Industry Recognition Awards.
Stage 1
1. Pay & Register Online
Total Fee
If you have an eligible award the total fee is £608 which you will pay in full when you apply for the visa.
Otherwise, payment is done in two parts:
● £456 when you apply for the endorsement
● £152 when you apply for the visa itself.
If you are including any dependants in your application, they will also need to pay £608 each.
2. Upload Documents Required
An individual applying for an endorsement in Fashion or Film will need to provide the following:
1. An up-to-date CV that includes relevant publication history and career.
2. Three letters of recommendation from recognised cultural organisations and experts in your field, along with no more than 10 pieces of supporting evidence that demonstrate recognition of your talent or promise is required. Two of the letters must be 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. Letters of recommendation must include the
following:
● Must be about your Global Talent visa application, you cannot use a letter that was written for another purpose
● Be signed by a senior member of the organisation
● Relationship between yourself and the advocate
● Your achievements in the field, and how you are a leader
● How you would benefit from living in the UK
● How you would contribute to cultural life in the UK
● The plans you have for work in the future.
3. Evidence to support eligibility criteria as explained above.
4. Any other documents required by your chosen endorsing body.
The decision on whether the application is successful will then take a maximum of 8 weeks.
Stage 2
1. Home Office Visa Application
If your endorsement application is successful, you can then complete and submit your Global Talent visa application. The application fee is £167. You will also have to pay a biometric and immigration health surcharge fee. If you have dependents they will also have to pay this fee.
The general processing time for the Global Talent visa application is up to three weeks if applying from outside the UK and up to eight weeks if you are applying from inside the UK. For individuals who have applied as exceptional talent the processing time will be faster.
2. Appeal
If you are unsuccessful you have the option to appeal. This must be done within 28 calendar days. The assessor will thereafter also have 28 calendar days to review your appeal and make a decision.
If your appeal is successful you will get an endorsement letter of approval and can then go forward with the Home Office visa application.
How Can NA Law Solicitors Help?
NA Law Solicitors will help by ensuring that you meet the relevant criteria and answering any questions you may have regarding the process. We take our time to gather information and thoroughly check that you have all the correct supporting documents, to increase your chances of a successful endorsement. Contact us today for assistance with your application.