Important Updates
Important Updates
July 30, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and Entry/Exit System (EES) Launch Status
July 31, 2025 | United StatesLaw360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement
July 31, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
July 31, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Grace Period for Foreign Nationals in Irregular Status
July 31, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Temporary Hold on Issuance of Temporary Work Visas
July 30, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and Entry/Exit System (EES) Launch Status
July 31, 2025 | United StatesLaw360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement
July 31, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
July 31, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Grace Period for Foreign Nationals in Irregular Status
July 31, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Temporary Hold on Issuance of Temporary Work Visas
July 30, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and Entry/Exit System (EES) Launch Status
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

Celebrating World Creativity Day 2025: How Foreign Talent Enhances Creative Sectors and Impacts the UK Economy

April 18, 2025

Celebrating World Creativity Day 2025: How Foreign Talent Enhances Creative Sectors and Impacts the UK Economy

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related contacts

Photo of Milosz Skorupski

Milosz Skorupski

Associate

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 20 7090 9262

Related industries

  • Media and Communications

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Photo of Milosz Skorupski

Milosz Skorupski

Associate

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 20 7090 9262

Related industries

  • Media and Communications

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Photo of Milosz Skorupski

Milosz Skorupski

Associate

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 20 7090 9262

Related industries

  • Media and Communications

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Milosz Skorupski, Laurie Newbury

A country’s identity is often defined by its culture, and without creativity many would find themselves at a cultural deficit. The United Nations’ World Creativity and Innovation Day, celebrated on 21 April, provides a great opportunity to highlight the UK’s creative industries, specifically the unique successes and challenges they face, with a view into the overall impact creativity has on the UK economy.

As the UN highlights, there are many reasons to celebrate creativity around the world, which is one of the fastest growing global economic sectors, despite being also one of the youngest. However, there are also ongoing struggles and barriers to the sustainable growth of businesses in these sectors.

The uniqueness of the creative industries and their impact on the UK economy

The creative industries, comprised of sectors such as arts and fashion, music, film, design, digital media and architecture, thrive on collaboration, innovation and a wide range of professionals. The creative sectors are extremely reliant on a robust, diverse and skilled workforce - whether that be fostered through local or international talent.

Culture and creativity account for 3.1% of global GDP and 6.2% of all employment, and exports of cultural goods and services reached $389.1 billion in 2019. In the UK, creative industries are worth around 5% of the economy and generate £124 billion in GVA, according to the Unleashing Creativity report prepared by Creative UK. They grow faster than the economy as a whole and no one can deny UK’s world-renowned position as a global powerhouse in this sector.

This industry is also different from other business sectors because of the disproportionate concentration in London and the Southeast of England. This has been addressed by several initiatives, such as creative clusters, but there is still much to be done, especially in relation to attracting foreign talent to relocate to other parts of the UK.

In 2023/2024, UK creative industries employed 2.4 million people (7% of all filled jobs in the UK), even though 93% of the creative industries organisations are micro businesses, hiring fever than 10 employees, which also brings with itself a different set of challenges than in any other industry.

Issued faced by the creative industries in the UK

An issue widely reported throughout the creative sectors is a lack of access to funding. The creative industry remains undervalued, and therefore vulnerable, despite reports of significant economic growth and contribution. These developments are often overlooked by both public and private investors, who tend to prioritise other ventures—perhaps due to the perception that the sector contributes to UK growth only in social or cultural terms, rather than offering financial returns.

Like many industries, the creative sectors have noted an increasing skills gap making it difficult to ensure the right talent are in the right roles. Widening the talent pool to include applicants from overseas can strengthen the workforce and increase output especially in terms of innovation.

Creativity and innovation are the core components of effective problem solving and business development, the industry crosses over to almost every other sector especially when considering roles in design and digital media which are utilised by all successful businesses. Though, as highlighted by the United Nations when discussing the World Creativity Day, the lack of universal definition and understanding of the concept of creativity and creative economics adds to the difficulty in formulating consistent and supportive government policy and, as a result, business strategy.

Expectations from the upcoming industrial strategy

In recognition of this industry’s impact on the economy, the current government has identified it as one of eight "growth-driving" sectors in its Invest 2035: the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy. Even though the full plans are to be announced in June, significant increases in financial support and investment are expected, especially outside London as detailed in the Creative industries: Growth, jobs and productivity document published by the House of Lords

The authors of the aforementioned Unleashing Creativity report made several recommendations to improve the situation of the industry and secure future growth. Most of them focus on the financial support and access to public funds, without which these organisations will struggle to grow and employ more employees – locally and internationally.

It has been announced that the government will allocate £60 million to support growth, with £40 million dedicated to investment in start-ups. The government also promised to create ‘the most attractive business environment’ and work with businesses to address barriers to growth.

In its green paper, foreshadowing the full strategy, the government confirmed that it needs to ensure that the UK creative sector ‘remains globally competitive as a home for world class talent while maximising access to important markets to tour and collaborate.’

Based on the published announcements, it appears that the government is committed to supporting this sector and, importantly, to collaborating with companies and organisations to achieve the best outcomes. Fragomen is closely monitoring these new policies to provide clients with comprehensive and informed guidance.

Need to know more?

For further information how we can support your company please contact Associate Milosz Skorupski at [email protected].

This blog was published on 18 April 2025, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related contacts

Photo of Milosz Skorupski

Milosz Skorupski

Associate

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 20 7090 9262

Related industries

  • Media and Communications

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Photo of Milosz Skorupski

Milosz Skorupski

Associate

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 20 7090 9262

Related industries

  • Media and Communications

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Photo of Milosz Skorupski

Milosz Skorupski

Associate

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 20 7090 9262

Related industries

  • Media and Communications

Related offices

  • London
  • Sheffield

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Law360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement

Partner K. Edward Raleigh and Associate Anna I. Perina explore how changing immigration enforcement is affecting workforce planning and compliance for US employers.

Learn more

Blog post

Updating Articles of Association (AoA) in Saudi Arabia: What Companies Need to Know

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung provide guidance for businesses on the legal and procedural requirements for amending their AoA in Saudi Arabia.

Learn more

Blog post

Green Card Backlogs and Visa Bulletin Trends: What Employers Can Do In 2025 and Beyond

Counsel Susan Steger discusses how US employers can navigate ongoing green card delays and shifting visa bulletin trends to better support foreign talent and workforce planning.

Learn more

Media mentions

C21 Media: How to Prepare for Immigration Reforms Under the UK Industrial Strategy

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Associate Milosz Skorupski outline how UK immigration reforms will affect creative businesses and highlight key considerations for planning ahead.

Learn more

Awards

WirtschaftsWoche Recognises Fragomen and Partner Axel Boysen as Best in Migration Law

WirtschaftsWoche names Fragomen to its "Best Law Firms 2025" list and Partner Axel Boysen to its "Best Lawyers 2025" list in the field of migration law for private individuals. 

Learn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Saudi Arabia’s High-End Dining Scene Fuels Culinary and Cultural RevivalLearn more

Awards

Fragomen Ranks as Band 1 in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025

Fragomen is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: Ford and Other Premiers Want Provincial Work Permits for Refugee Claimants. It May Not Solve Anything

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses the potential option of decentralizing work permit issuance in Canada, emphasizing the need for clear coordination between the provincial and federal governments.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Video

Transfer Tactics & Talent Pipelines – The UK Angle with Alex Hood ⚽ | #FragomenFC - Ep. 10

Fragomen FC hosts are joined by Manager Alexander Hood to examine how immigration rules are reshaping global football, from EPL transfers to the rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: More Declines Loom in “Seriously Concerning” US Visa Trends

Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Reforms: What’s Next for Construction Employers?

Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Grand Designs Magazine: How to Buy Your Dream Home Overseas

Director Isobel Neilson discusses how changes to golden visa programmes are affecting UK buyers pursuing overseas property investment.

Learn more

Media mentions

Law360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement

Partner K. Edward Raleigh and Associate Anna I. Perina explore how changing immigration enforcement is affecting workforce planning and compliance for US employers.

Learn more

Blog post

Updating Articles of Association (AoA) in Saudi Arabia: What Companies Need to Know

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung provide guidance for businesses on the legal and procedural requirements for amending their AoA in Saudi Arabia.

Learn more

Blog post

Green Card Backlogs and Visa Bulletin Trends: What Employers Can Do In 2025 and Beyond

Counsel Susan Steger discusses how US employers can navigate ongoing green card delays and shifting visa bulletin trends to better support foreign talent and workforce planning.

Learn more

Media mentions

C21 Media: How to Prepare for Immigration Reforms Under the UK Industrial Strategy

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Associate Milosz Skorupski outline how UK immigration reforms will affect creative businesses and highlight key considerations for planning ahead.

Learn more

Awards

WirtschaftsWoche Recognises Fragomen and Partner Axel Boysen as Best in Migration Law

WirtschaftsWoche names Fragomen to its "Best Law Firms 2025" list and Partner Axel Boysen to its "Best Lawyers 2025" list in the field of migration law for private individuals. 

Learn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Saudi Arabia’s High-End Dining Scene Fuels Culinary and Cultural RevivalLearn more

Awards

Fragomen Ranks as Band 1 in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025

Fragomen is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: Ford and Other Premiers Want Provincial Work Permits for Refugee Claimants. It May Not Solve Anything

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses the potential option of decentralizing work permit issuance in Canada, emphasizing the need for clear coordination between the provincial and federal governments.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Video

Transfer Tactics & Talent Pipelines – The UK Angle with Alex Hood ⚽ | #FragomenFC - Ep. 10

Fragomen FC hosts are joined by Manager Alexander Hood to examine how immigration rules are reshaping global football, from EPL transfers to the rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: More Declines Loom in “Seriously Concerning” US Visa Trends

Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Reforms: What’s Next for Construction Employers?

Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Grand Designs Magazine: How to Buy Your Dream Home Overseas

Director Isobel Neilson discusses how changes to golden visa programmes are affecting UK buyers pursuing overseas property investment.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.