Spotlight on the Stage: Navigating UK Immigration for A-list Talent

Since 2011, UK creative industries have grown at five times the rate of the rest of the country’s economy. Recognising the importance of this rapidly growing sector, the UK government has committed to growing the value of the creative industries—as much as £50 billion by 2030.

The level of growth and investment in the UK creative sector undoubtedly makes the UK one of the most exciting hubs in the world for arts and culture. As such, it has become a magnet for top performers operating in the creative industry.

This blog explores the relevant UK immigration options available to those individuals deemed to be exceptionally talented in arts and culture. 

Relevant Case Study

A famous couple on both Hollywood and Broadway alike, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick are currently appearing at London Savoy’s Theatre through their portrayal of three different couples in Neil Simon’s acclaimed play Plaza Suite (1968).

Long before the introduction of Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw in the multi-award-winning comedy-drama Sex and the City (1998-2004), Parker had already made a name for herself in the theatre world. Following her Broadway debut, she went on to star as the title lead in the Broadway production of Annie (1979) before starring in films such as Footloose (1984) and L.A. Story (1991).

Broderick, Parker’s equally esteemed partner, boasts a film and theatre career spanning over four decades. From staring in films such as Max Dugan Returns (1983) and Tower Heist (2011) to winning two Tony Awards, one for Best Featured Actor in a Play for Brighton Beach Memoirs (1983) and the second for Best Actor in a Musical for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1995), Broderick’s contribution to both the film and theatre scene is impressive.

In 2022, the couple came together to star in Plaza Suite on Broadway. The play has now made its way to the UK, along with Parker and Broderick. Since they both are US nationals, they will require appropriate immigration authorisation to perform on London’s stage, and this blog uses their particular circumstances as a case study in considering relevant visa options for A-list talent when pursuing international work.

Global Talent Visa

Using Parker and Broderick’s impressive careers as examples—which boast numerous accolades—the Global Talent route may be the most suitable visa category for those individuals who can demonstrate they are leaders in the arts and culture field.

Unlike the sponsored categories that are available to those working in theatres, the Global Talent visa is independent of sponsorship and can be issued for a period of up to five years.

This visa category requires a two-fold process, and the applicant must first apply to be endorsed by an approved body (for those working in the theatre production industry, this will be  ) which will conduct an assessment to confirm whether the applicant is a “leader” (Global Talent: those with five years’ experience) or potential leader (Global Promise: those with less than five years’ experience) in the industry.

The threshold for the endorsement is high, and the Arts Council England judges must deem the applicant’s work to be outstanding. Individuals will also need to prove that they have a portfolio of work in at least two countries. Up to 10 pieces of supporting evidence can be provided, some of which typically includes:

• A CV;
• Three letters of recommendation from experts in the relevant field (one must be from an established arts and culture organisation or an individual and two must be from established arts and culture organisations, one of which is based in the UK); and
• Two pieces of evidence showcasing international media recognition, international awards or international appearances or exhibitions.

An applicant must then file a visa application no later than three months following the endorsement. Depending on whether an applicant is endorsed as a leader (Global Talent) or as a promising leader (Global Promise), they may be eligible to apply for settlement after three years or five years of continuous residence in the UK.

Crucially, they must be able to evidence that they have worked in the field for which they were endorsed, have not spent more than 180 days in any 12 months outside of the UK and pass the .

International Awards

Where an individual is particularly outstanding in their field, the Global Talent visa provides an attractive and expedited pathway.

If an individual has won a prize included on the eligible prize list, the endorsement stage can be bypassed and the applicant will only need to make the Stage 2 visa application.

In the instance of the aforementioned case study, Broderick won a Tony Award for ‘Best Actor in a Musical’ for his role in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1995). Similarly, Parker received several Golden Globe Awards for ‘Best Actress- Television Series or Comedy’ in Sex and the City. Both would be able to make an application without an endorsement by relying on these accolades.

Global Talent holders can also bring their dependant partners and children to the UK. Therefore, if only one of them made a Global Talent application, the other could apply as a dependant partner and would be able to work in the UK (other than as a professional sportsperson or coach).

For settlement purposes, only a Global Talent holder can benefit from the three-year expedited route and their dependants would have to be residents for a minimum of five years.

Short-term Options: Creative Worker Concession

Given that the Global Talent Visa could take up to three weeks for the UK Home Office to process following a visa appointment, those in a position like Parker and Broderick’s may wish to explore a temporary and faster route.

For example, as Plaza Suite is running from 17 January to 13 April 2024, they may consider and benefit from the Creative Worker Concession, an attractive immigration pathway that comes with several conditions.

This pathway provides flexibility for non-visa nationals who intend to work in the UK for up to three months. Either the production company or theatre would need to hold a Creative Worker sponsor licence and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the star before they arrive in the UK. The individual will meet with an immigration officer at the UK border and present the CoS.

Therefore, if Parker and Broderick entered the UK under this concession, they could not extend their stay if the production happens to be extended beyond its scheduled three-month period. Instead, they would need to return to the US to make entry clearance applications.

Need to know more?

In addition to the Global Talent visa and Creative Worker concession, other visa categories may also be suitable for professionals in this field.

If you are operating in the creative sector in the UK and would like to learn more about short-term and long-term immigration options, please contact Practice Leader Kasia Pinska at [email protected], Associate Jasmine Jackson at [email protected] and Paralegal Jessie Tse at [email protected].

This blog was published on 5 March 2024, 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, X, Facebook and Instagram.