The UK Global Talent visa route is open to talented individuals in the fields of film and television wishing to work in the UK.  Applicants will be leaders in their field as determined by the Producers’ Alliance for Film and Television (PACT) acting on behalf of Arts Council England.  

PACT, acting on behalf of Arts Council England, can endorse applications in the film, television, animation, post production and visual effects industries.

There is no cap on the number of applicants that can be endorsed in the Film and Television sub-category of the Global Talent route.

However, individuals who work in the film, television, animation, post production and visual effects industries will need to demonstrate ‘exceptional talent’.  PACT does not endorse ‘exceptional promise’ applications.

UK Global Talent Visa Film and Television Requirements

In order to qualify for a UK Global Talent visa in the Film and Television field, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

• You are aged 18 or over;
• You have been issued with an endorsement letter by PACT or have been awarded a prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes;
• Your application does not fall under the general grounds for refusal;
• You have provided a valid TB certificate, if required.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances.  You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

To discuss your UK Global Talent visa application with one of our immigration barristers, contact our UK Global Talent visa lawyers on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below.

Requirements for Endorsement by PACT

The criteria for an endorsement by PACT within the film, television, animation, postproduction and visual effects industries all essentially relate to recognition by awards.

You will need to be able to satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

• You have won an Academy Award, a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award (Film, Television, Television Crafts, Cymru, Scotland, Games awards only), a Golden Globe or an Emmy Award; or
• You have, within the last 10 years, been nominated for, or made a significant contribution to winning, or being nominated for an Academy Award, a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award (Film, Television, Television Crafts, Cymru, Scotland, Games awards only), a Golden Globe or an Emmy Award; or
• You have, in the last 15 years, achieved a minimum of 2 nominations for an Academy Award, a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award (Film, Television, Television Crafts, Cymru, Scotland, Games awards only), a Golden Globe or an Emmy Award, or
• You have notable industry recognition through achieving international distribution sales, media recognition and a specified combination of awards from Pact’s Notable Industry List.

There are almost 200 awards on the PACT notable industry list so it is important to check thoroughly to see if you can meet the criteria. It is also notable that when you rely on these awards, you also need to show that your work has international distribution sales and media recognition, so unlike applications under options 1, 2 and 3 above, having the awards alone is not enough.

Evidence Required for Endorsement by PACT

Your application for a Film and Television endorsement by PACT will need to include 3 letters of recommendation.

One letter must come from a UK based organisation, institution or company, which is well-established nationally and/or internationally and widely acknowledged as possessing expertise in the film and television industry .

The second letter must also be from an organisation, institution or company, which is well established nationally and/or internationally and widely acknowledged as possessing expertise in the film and television industry .  However, this second organisation may be based in the UK or overseas.

The third letter can be a further letter from an organisation, institution or company (UK or overseas based) which is well established nationally and/or internationally and widely acknowledged as possessing expertise in your specialist field, or it can come from an eminent individual with internationally recognised expertise in the film and television industry .

The letters should come from a senior member of the organisation who is familiar with your work and able to comment on your achievements. They will need to detail your achievements in your specialist field and how, in their opinion, you have demonstrated that you are a leader in your field.

PACT Endorsement Application Decision Times

PACT usually take between six and eight weeks in total from submission to make a decision on endorsement.

• Global Talent Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
• Immigration Rule changes for the Creative Sector
• Changes to the Global Talent Route in October 2021

UK Global Talent Visa Application Following Endorsement

Once you have your PACT endorsement, you will have a period of three months from the date of the endorsement letter to make your application to enter or remain in the UK in the Global Talent category.

An application to switch into the Global Talent route may be made from within the UK provided you do not currently have, or were not last granted, permission to stay as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic worker in a private household or outside the Immigration Rules.

If you hold, or were last granted, leave in any of the above categories then you will be required to leave the UK and submit your application for a Global Talent visa from your home country.

In addition to showing that you have been endorsed, the Home Office will assess your character and immigration history to ensure that you do not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.

There is no maintenance or English language requirement in the Global Talent visa category.

Leave will be granted for the period that you request (in full year periods) up to five years. The amount of time that you request makes no difference to the application but will affect the amount that you need to pay for the Immigration Health Surcharge.

As you will have been endorsed as ‘exceptionally talented’, rather than ‘exceptionally promising’, you may be eligible to settle after just three years in the UK. However, there are residence requirements for settlement so in the event that you will need to travel often, you may wish to apply for a period of longer than the three years needed.

Global Talent Film and Television Prestigious Prizes Route

If you have won a qualifying prestigious award, you will be able to fast-track the endorsement application and instead proceed directly to making a single visa application.

The list of prestigious prizes is set out in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes.  This list is kept under review and updated from time-to-time.

How Our Immigration solicitors Can Help Your UK Global Talent Visa Application

Our immigration solicitors have a wide range of experience assisting professionals in the fields of film and television to prepare successful applications for endorsement by PACT and to work in the UK.  Our barristers are experts in the immigration options for individuals in the film and television industry and will guide you through the complex Home Office rules and policies.

We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting our clients’ needs. We are a highly driven team, dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice to clients as part of a professional and friendly service.