Migrants offered help to fake artworks to gain UK 'talent' visas - BBC investigation finds

Companies are offering to help migrants pose as talented artists and tech experts to make fraudulent UK visa applications under a fast-track immigration scheme, the BBC has found. The UK government's Global Talent visa was launched in 2020 to attract the "brightest and best" scientists and researchers from around the world. It is also open to creative artists.

Following our investigation, the Home Office is now revoking visas issued to two Nigerian men who claimed to be fine art photographers, because it believes they were obtained by deception. Applicants for Global Talent visas are not interviewed. People granted them need to prove they are exceptionally talented or promising in their field.

They can then bring their families to the UK and there is a potentially quick path to permanent residency - in three or five years. We have discovered that wealthy migrants looking to cheat the system are being offered fake art portfolios which they can pass off as their own work for a large fee.