British Fashion Council (BFC) has been working with Arts Council England (ACE), in partnership with the Home Office and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, to expand and promote the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa to fashion industry applicants. BFC will work as an independent assessor for Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa applications in the fashion industry, to secure a new route for talented designers and fashion sector individuals to work in the UK. The number of Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visas was increased in November 2017 from 1000 to 2000, and half of these will be allocated on a demand-led basis. This creates a significant opportunity for the fashion industry in the UK to attract and retain key designers, talent and creatives.

The Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa is available to individuals from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland who have been endorsed in their field in arts, humanities, engineering or science as a recognised (exceptional talent) or emerging leader (exceptional promise).

Applicants may be of exceptional talent who have established themselves as world class, are internationally recognised and have won awards across their peer group. Successful applicants will be granted five years in the UK, which is open to extension if the applicant can continue to prove their exceptional talent.