A BBC investigation has uncovered alleged schemes by companies helping migrants fabricate artistic and professional credentials to obtain UK Global Talent visas. The investigation found that some immigration consultants were offering wealthy applicants fake art portfolios, fabricated media coverage, arranged exhibitions and false recommendations to strengthen their visa applications.
The UK Global Talent visa programme, introduced in 2020, is designed to attract highly talented scientists, researchers and creative professionals. Successful applicants can bring their families to the UK and may qualify for permanent residency after three or five years.
Following the investigation, the UK Home Office is taking steps to revoke the visas of two Nigerian men who obtained approval after allegedly submitting fraudulent evidence claiming they were fine art photographers. The investigation also discovered that the name of Nigerian art critic Molara Wood had been used to publish online reviews of the two men’s supposed artistic work without her knowledge or permission.
Wood said she had not written the articles and described the material attributed to her as poor quality. The Nigerian Tribune subsequently removed the articles after she raised concerns. The newspaper said an employee had published them without authorisation after receiving the material from someone outside the organisation.
The two men were identified as Silva Ndifon and Adanu Emmanuel Okoko. Their visas are now reportedly being revoked following the findings. The investigation also uncovered the activities of iCareer Consultancy UK, a company based in London’s Canary Wharf area. An undercover reporter posing as a potential applicant was told by a consultant identified as Peter that the company could create an artistic portfolio even for someone with no artistic experience.
Peter reportedly offered to arrange up to 15 artworks produced in China, organize exhibitions, secure media coverage and provide recommendation letters. He also said some materials could be backdated to make the applicant appear to have an established artistic career. The consultant further offered to help the reporter secure a Chinese art award sponsored by Forbes for an additional £28,000. He claimed the award would strengthen the visa application and promised a refund if the reporter did not win.
A contract sent to the undercover reporter outlined the proposed services, with the full package costing approximately £98,000, excluding additional VAT for payments made in pounds. Peter also suggested that a company employee could attend gallery events and undertake networking activities on behalf of the applicant, despite the reporter having no artistic background or English-language skills.
An immigration lawyer, Harjap Singh Bhangal, who reviewed the findings, described the arrangement as sophisticated fraud intended to deceive the UK authorities and organizations responsible for endorsing applications. However, iCareer denied offering immigration or visa services, stating that Peter’s employment had ended in early October and that the meeting with the undercover reporter was not authorized by the company. It also said it would investigate social media posts promoting the services.
The company further stated that its sister organization, ADArt Global Ltd, works with genuine artists by helping them organize exhibitions and develop professional relationships. For the technology category, the investigation also identified a woman from India who said a company had fabricated evidence for her Global Talent visa application, including a false mentoring award and claims that she had spoken at an event. Her application was rejected.
The Home Office described the findings as extremely serious, saying the company offering the expensive package was already under investigation. It added that the Global Talent visa programme was under review and that further action would be taken to prevent abuse. Arts Council England, which assesses applications in the arts and culture category, also said it took allegations of fraud seriously and investigated cases involving potentially misleading or fabricated evidence.
An investigation has exposed companies allegedly helping migrants fabricate artistic achievements and supporting documents to obtain UK Global Talent visas. The UK Home Office is moving to revoke the visas of two Nigerian men accused of using fake evidence to secure approval.
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