Ellen moved to the UK, but under which visa?

Co-authored with Megan Thomas

According to a BBC article, "US TV star Ellen DeGeneres has made her first public appearance since moving to the UK, saying she decided to settle in England the day after Donald Trump was re-elected US president.”

You may not be a TV star, and you may want to move to the UK for other reasons, such as family, study or work.  However, if you are a “leader” or a “potential leader” in your field of work (like Ellen in the field of TV), then the Global Talent visa (aka the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa) might be for you.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the Global Talent visa, you have to be a “leader” or a “potential leader” in one of the following areas:

• academia or research
• arts and culture 
• digital technology 

Endorsement or prestigious prize

You will need either an “endorsement” or show that you have won an eligible “prestigious prize” in your field. 

For example, you can apply for an endorsement if you work in film, television, animation, post-production and visual effects.  The application for an endorsement will be judged by the Producers’ Alliance for Cinema and Television ("Pact") on behalf of Arts Council England.  

Alternatively, you will be eligible if you have won a specified prize from one of the awarding bodies below:

• Academy Awards
• BAFTA
• Golden Globes

Endorsement process and requirements

The endorsement process and requirements are different depending on the particular endorsing organisation.  For example, for Pact, you will need to provide three letters of support, 10 pieces of evidence and your CV.  (In contrast, under the academia or research category, you may be eligible if you have an individual fellowship or a research grant approved by UK Research and Innovation.)

You can expect to hear back about your endorsement application within 8 weeks.

Global Talent visa application

You can apply for the visa itself at the same time or after your endorsement application. 

The visa application timeframe will depend on where you are making the application:

• outside of the UK: 3 weeks 
• inside the UK: 8 weeks

Dependants

Your partner and minor children can apply as your dependant(s).  (Both Ellen and her wife have moved to the UK according to the BBC article.)  

Settlement/permanent residence/Indefinite Leave to Remain 

The Global Talent visa will allow you to live, work and study in the UK for up to 5 years.  

You can extend the visa (for 1 to 5 years) provided that your endorsement or prestigious prize has not been withdrawn.

Under the current rules (subject to change), you may be able to settle in the UK (permanent residence otherwise known as “Indefinite Leave to Remain” in 3 or 5 years, depending on your circumstances).

How can we help?

Burges Salmon's specialists have substantial experience in immigration, tax, trusts, and estate planning for international clients.  If you wish to discuss any of the matters raised in this article, please do get in touch with Suzanna Harvey, Myra Leung or your usual contact within the team.

Ellen DeGeneres: I moved to the UK because of Trump

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8d638rrndzo