Winners of major awards, including Oscars, BAFTAs, Grammys, Golden Globes, Tony Awards and Nobel Prizes, will be able to live and work in the U.K. more easily under reforms by Britain’s Home Office to fast-track visa applications.
From Wednesday, May 5, “individuals who have won prestigious awards from across the sciences, humanities, engineering, the arts and digital technology will be able to take advantage of changes to the Global Talent visa route,” it said in a statement.
“Currently, people on the Global Talent route have to successfully apply to one of six endorsing bodies,” it explained. “The new fast-track route launching today would allow applicants who hold a qualifying prize to fast track the endorsement application and instead make a single visa application.”
Among the eligible awards are “various Academy Award and Golden Globe categories;” BAFTA’s “best film actress/actor/director” honors; “various Tony Awards and Olivier Awards;” the Brit Awards for international male/female performers; “Grammys – Lifetime Achievement Award;” the Nobel Prize for literature and others. “Winners of certain awards across dance, fashion, architecture, and social sciences will also be included,” the British government said.
After Brexit, Britain has been looking to ensure it is an attractive place for creatives and others. The Global Talent route is part of the U.K.’s new points-based immigration system, which the government says will attract “the best and brightest to the country depending on the skills they can bring, rather than their nationality.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel said, “Winners of these awards have reached the pinnacle of their career and they have so much to offer the U.K. These important changes will give them the freedom to come and work in our world-leading arts, sciences, music, and film industries as we build back better.”
The government said that since it came into force in February 2020, “thousands of people” have used the Global Talent route to enter the U.K.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
