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