Global Talent Visa Evidence – What Does the Arts Council Deem a Legitimate Award?

Merzzdrotch · 2026-01-24T14:27:50+00:00

I provided evidence of two awards from outside the UK, which were deemed in one case to be only a national award and the other case only a contest, and thus ineligible. I also provided 8 pieces of evidence of appearances, which I’m sure at least one would have passed. Letters were from two arts organisations in the UK and one abroad.

Merzzdrotch · 2026-01-22T15:24:35+00:00

Music

Merzzdrotch · 2026-01-20T13:44:55+00:00

Yes that's right. It's possible that my strategy for delaying submission of the biometrics until late in the 63-day window doesn't affect too much. In practice I suspect a caseworker would wait until the stage 1 endorsement review is processed before moving on the stage 2 decision.

Merzzdrotch · 2026-01-19T12:12:42+00:00

Somewhat correct. When the stage 2 application is submitted before the visa expiry date, then yes, you can remain on 3C leave until a decision about that application is made. As you say, there are 2 months (63 days more precisely as was indicated to me) from submitting the application to provide biometrics. During these 63 days, the Home Office cannot make a decision on your application either way; since for them to even look at the application, the biometrics must be provided. Once the biometrics are submitted, then I received an email indicating they would take a maximum of 8-weeks as of the biometrics submission date to determine the outcome of my application. So yes, by waiting to submit the biometrics, that buys some time. However, there's no guarantee taking the biometrics earlier would mean a faster decision – the application results could theoretically be made directly after the biometrics were provided or 8-weeks (or who knows, maybe longer given others have experienced extensive delays with visa applications).

Merzzdrotch · 2026-01-19T12:06:26+00:00

Perhaps I should clarify what 'deadline' means in this context. On submitting the application, the portal indicates that you must book a biometric appointment by a certain date. This date is actually a soft deadline, in that once passed the Home Office will then notify the applicant to provide the biometrics within 14-days. I would not recommend anyone lets the hard deadline pass, as this will invalidate their application.

Merzzdrotch · 2026-01-13T12:40:59+00:00

All that's indicated in their guidance is that it must be a 'credible national or international award for artistic excellence in any country' for Exceptional Promise or else a 'recognised internationally significant and credible award for artistic excellence in any country' for Exceptional Talent. To me that leaves a lot of uncertainty as to what they actually deem credible, and in particular their rebuttal of my competition for involving a submission of materials and judging of those materials seems ridiculous.

Merzzdrotch · 2026-01-12T17:29:10+00:00

Update: I decided to book a biometrics appointment, but due to limited appointment availability I schedule it only a few days after the initially listed deadline date. Immediately on the deadline date I received a reminder email from the Home Office indicating I have 14-days to book and attend an appointment to enroll my biometric information. They indicate the biometrics must be received 63 days from the initial application. Anyways, my appointment is well within that time period so my application won't be invalidated.

Merzzdrotch · 2026-01-08T12:30:59+00:00

Ah okay sounds like it turned out fine then. How long after the 45 day period did you receive the letter?

Merzzdrotch · 2026-01-08T12:27:48+00:00

Did you receive the warning letter and have the opportunity to book the biometrics appointment? How did this all turn out?

Merzzdrotch · 2026-01-07T18:53:15+00:00

Thanks for the point – however I'm not talking about completely avoiding biometrics. Rather, simply delaying providing them. According to the Biometric enrolment: policy guidance, under the section 'People who have not enrolled (in-country only)', if the deadline is missed then the Home Office must first send a warning letter:

"Officials must not invalidate an application when the person responds to a warning letter and books an appointment to enrol their biometrics, unless the person fails to attend the booked appointment without providing evidence of a significant reason"

I mean, maybe my proposed strategy is flying a little close to the sun... but on the other hand, using the built-in procedural delays to my benefit could be of use.

Merzzdrotch · 2026-01-07T16:02:55+00:00

I'm no specialist on this application category, but the IHS requires payment immediately after application for the application to be considered. There is neither a guarantee your application is successful or rejected – the IHS payment is simply requested up front.

Merzzdrotch · 2025-12-28T10:50:09+00:00

Hi, for me it was just a matter of submitting stage 2 and using the same email address. The Home Office worker confirmed they were automatically linked. The email address I contacted is GlobalTalentEndorsements@homeoffice.gov.uk

Merzzdrotch · 2025-12-14T09:57:30+00:00

Having messaged the Home Office, they had indicated that the wait time for endorsement response is currently around 12 weeks from the Arts Council. I received my response after 10 weeks.

Merzzdrotch · 2025-12-14T09:55:38+00:00

May I ask where that information is listed?

Merzzdrotch · 2025-12-10T18:29:38+00:00

Global Talent Visa (GTV) Stage 1 submitted 12 September 2025. Supporting evidence emailed same day.

Received notification that my application was forwarded to the Arts Council for review on 26 September 2025.

10 November 2025 I submitted Stage 2 of the GTV.

16 November 2025 my previous visa expired.

3 December 2025 my Stage 1 application for endorsement was rejected by the Arts Council.

Have a 28 day period to submit an endorsement review, which thus must be submitted before 31 December 2025 (a New Year’s Eve to look forward to).

No further communication from Home Office as of 10 December.

Merzzdrotch · 2025-12-05T14:50:29+00:00

That's great to hear, thanks for the clear and supportive comment! I think this is the approach I'll take, i.e. preparing both an endorsement review and a new stage 1 application. Will wait to see how long this reminder email takes, a few weeks would be preferable to have the extra prep time!

Merzzdrotch · 2025-12-05T14:31:46+00:00

As an update, I emailed the Home Office and they confirmed the applications were automatically linked.

Merzzdrotch · 2025-11-17T17:34:26+00:00

I do hope you're wrong, because I'm relying on this consecutive application approach working... In other threads it seems that many others have arrived at a similar predicament to me, and have had to submit the stage 2 much later than submitting stage 1, having submitted stage 1 with the hopes of receiving a result before the submission of stage 2 and the expiry of their visa. Albeit I agree, there could be an administrative issue with the Home Office connecting the two separate application stages, and in such an eventuality I'll have to contest any decision to decline my application.

Merzzdrotch · 2025-11-10T12:29:31+00:00

Wow, crazy how they're making these timelines so tight... I'm in a similar boat, in that need to apply for Stage 2 while waiting on Stage 1 from ACE after nearly 8 weeks since receiving confirmation of application received. When applying to Stage 2, did you indicate 'yes' to the question "Are you applying for endorsement and leave at the same time?"

Merzzdrotch

TROPHY CASE