GLOBAL TALENT VISA: Film AND TELEVISION

Talented people in Film and Television who want to work in the UK can apply for a Global Talent visa.  As decided by the Producers’ Alliance for Film and Television (PACT), operating on behalf of Arts Council England, applicants will be leaders in their respective fields.

PACT has the authority to endorse applications in the Film, television, animation, post-production, and visual effects fields on behalf of Arts Council England.

The Film and Television subcategory under the Global Talent route has no limit on the number of applicants that can be recommended.

But those who work in the visual effects, animation, post-production, film, or television fields will need to prove they have “exceptional talent.”  Applications with “exceptional promise” are not endorsed by PACT.

Global Talent Visa Film and Television Requirements

To be eligible for a Global Talent visa in the Film and Television field, you must meet the following requirements set out by UK Visas and Immigration:

• You are at least 18 or over;
• You have been awarded a prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes, or you have been provided with an endorsement letter by PACT.
• Your application is not subject to rejection based on the general grounds listed below;
• If needed, you have submitted a legitimate TB (Tuberculosis) certificate.

The specific requirements that you must meet may change based on your situation.  For professional guidance, you might wish to see an immigration lawyer.

Requirements for Endorsement by PACT

Award recognition is the primary criterion for a PACT endorsement in the film, television, animation, postproduction, and visual effects industries.

One of the following requirements must be met by you to proceed:

• You’ve won an Emmy, a Golden Globe, an Academy Award, or a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award (for Film, Television, Television Crafts, Cymru, Scotland, or Games awards only); or
• You have either won, been nominated for, or significantly aided in the nomination for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, or a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award (for Film, Television, Television Crafts, Cymru, Scotland, or Games awards only); or
• During the past fifteen years, you have received at least two nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe or an Emmy Award, a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award (Film, Television, Television Crafts, Cymru, Scotland, or Games awards only), or
• Attaining worldwide distribution sales, media recognition, and a specific group of awards from Pact’s Notable Industry List have all contributed to your noteworthy industry recognition.

It is essential to thoroughly examine the PACT significant industry list to determine whether your qualifications match the requirements. The list consists of nearly 200 awards. It is also crucial to keep in mind that, unlike applications submitted under choices 1, 2, and 3, merely possessing the awards is not sufficient when relying on them. You must also demonstrate that your work has sales and worldwide distribution, as well as media recognition.

Evidence Required for Endorsement by PACT

To be considered for a PACT Film and Television endorsement, your application must include three letters of recommendation.

One letter must be from a UK-based organization or business that is highly regarded as an expert in the film and television industries, both domestically and internationally.

It is required that the second letter of recommendation should come from a well-known and reputable firm, organization, or institution, which has a good understanding of the film and television industries. This organization can be either headquartered abroad or in the UK.

It is possible to obtain the third letter from another reputable organization, institution, or business, either in the UK or abroad, that is well-known domestically and globally for its expertise in your field. Alternatively, you can also obtain the letter from a distinguished individual who is widely recognized for their knowledge of the film and television industries.

To obtain a recommendation letter, it is advisable that a senior employee who is well-versed in your job and possesses the required knowledge writes the letter. The letter should highlight your achievements in your area of expertise and demonstrate how you have displayed leadership qualities in it, as per their assessment.

PACT Endorsement Application Decision Times

An endorsement decision from PACT is typically made six to eight weeks after submission.

Global Talent Visa Application Following Endorsement

You will have three months from the date of the endorsement letter to submit your application under the Global Talent category to enter or remain in the UK after receiving your PACT endorsement.

If you are currently in the UK as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or outside the Immigration Rules, and you don’t have permission to remain or were not previously granted permission to remain, you have the option to apply for a switch to the Global Talent route from within the UK. If you do not currently possess, or were not previously granted, permission to remain as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or outside the Immigration Rules, you may apply from within the United Kingdom to switch to the Global Talent route.

If you have taken or been granted leave under any of the above categories, you must leave the UK to apply for a Global Talent visa from your country of origin.

The Home Office will assess your immigration and personal history, including endorsement, to avoid rejection based on general grounds. The Home Office will evaluate your immigration history and character in addition to confirming your endorsement to make sure you are not rejected based on general grounds for rejection.

The Global Talent visa category has no requirements for maintenance or English language proficiency.

You can apply for leave for any duration up to a maximum of five years, and this can be done in full-year periods. Requesting a longer period of time will not affect the application process, but it will impact the amount you need to pay for the Immigration Health Surcharge.

You may be allowed to live in the UK after just three years since you were recommended as “exceptionally talented” rather than “exceptionally promising.” In the case that you will need to travel frequently, you may want to apply for a longer amount of time than the required three years, as there are residence requirements for settlement.

Global Talent Film and Television Prestigious Prizes Route

You will be able to quicken the endorsement application and go straight forward with submitting a single visa application if you have been the recipient of a qualified prestigious award.

Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes is a regularly updated list of awards, which is frequently reviewed to ensure accuracy.

More information on: GOV.UK