Fashion Calling: Work and Settle in the UK
Fashion and textile industries are a major part of the UK economy contributing around £35B to the UK economy and employing almost 1M people. The fashion industry in fact contributes more to the UK economy than music, film and the motor industry combined.
The UK is one of the most influential countries in the fashion world. Every year new designers come to the UK to establish or promote their brand in one of the most influential cities in the world, London. Famous fashion magazines, London Fashion week and other fashion shows attract a number of top designers and models for photo-shoots and catwalk shows.
The Government has introduced a number of ways designers and models can work and settle in the UK.
Permitted Paid Engagement visa
This is a short 1-month visitor visa for individuals who have been invited as an expert in their creative profession to participate in a short-term paid project. Normally visitors are not allowed to be paid in the UK, but those who are going to be paid for their visit may obtain a permitted paid engagement visa. You can take part in fashion modelling assignments, arts, and entertainment.
Eligibility and requirements:
- Invitation by a UK based organization or client.
- Coming to do specific paid short-term work or project.
You cannot include your dependents with you in your application and they must apply separately.
Temporary Worker - Creative and Sporting visa (T5)
This is a temporary visa of up to 12 months with the possibility to extend for a further 12 months for individuals who have been offered employment as a creative worker.
Eligibility and requirements:
- Job offer in the UK as a creative worker from a registered licenced sponsor.
- Demonstrate that you can make a unique contribution to the UK labour market.
- Must be paid a minimum salary as set by the relevant body, such as Equity, PACT or BECTU (except for models).
- Evidence that you have savings of £1,270 to sponsor yourself in the UK unless a certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you.
Benefits:
- Opportunity to come for a total of up to 2 years and work in the UK in a creative sector.
- You can bring your family to live with you whilst in the UK as your dependents.
- Ability to change sponsors and one sponsorship covering several engagements.
- There is no English language requirement.
Skilled Worker Visa
If the person is coming to the UK for long-term to work here, they would need to obtain a work permit. Skilled Worker visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa.
Eligibility and requirements:
- Job offer in an eligible occupation from a registered licenced sponsor.
- Job at the required skill level of RQF 3 and above.
- English language requirement at B1 level.
- General salary requirement of £25,600 per annum unless the role is in shortage occupation (such as skilled orchestral musicians or dancers, artists, arts officers, graphic designers etc.), where the salary is lower at £20,480 per annum.
- Evidence that you have savings of £1,270 to sponsor yourself in the UK unless a certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you.
Benefits:
- Apply for settlement after 5 years.
- Bring your family to live with you whilst in the UK as your dependents.
Global Talent Visa
Global talent visa may be attractive for those who have been prominent in their field and received high level of appraisal for their artistic work in fashion, arts, or other creative area. The person needs to be acknowledged as a leader by British Fashion Council in the UK.
Eligibility and requirements:
- Recognized as a leader in the field or having a potential as a talent.
- Showing at least two of the following criteria: media recognition and critical acclaim; awards; presentation, exhibitions, or other distribution of your work. For promising applicants one can also show orders from UK retailers and/or industry recognition.
- Have a UK creative established organisation to recommend you for the endorsement.
Benefits:
- Apply for a settlement after 3 years as a talent, or after 5 years as a promise.
- Bring your family to live with you whilst in the UK.
- There is no restriction on what type of work you can do in the UK.
- There is no minimum salary threshold.
- There is no English language requirement.
Taylor Hampton Solicitors is a leading law firm who has helped many bright and talented individuals in fashion industry to obtain their visas or settle in the UK.
We specialise in both simple and complex cases and have an experienced team of immigration lawyers, some of whom speak Cantonese, Mandarin, Polish, Russian and Ukrainian who are here to help you every step of the way.
Our specialist immigration lawyers will be able to advise and guide you through the complex evidence that is required for these type of visas, whether in the field of fashion or elsewhere.
If you require guidance on any immigration issue, contact Taylor Hampton Solicitors today on: 020 7427 5970 or [email protected]
