Securing a global talent visa for dancer Kamal Singh
Acclaimed ballet dancer
Kamal Singh gained global media attention when, in just two weeks, he raised the $28,000 needed to accept his place at the English National Ballet School, having become the first Indian dancer to be selected for its professional trainee programme in London. At the conclusion of the programme, Pat Saini, head of immigration, helped Kamal secure a rare global talent visa, allowing him to pursue his dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer.
From Delhi to London – Kamal’s story of dedication and perseverance
Kamal first discovered ballet in 2016 when he attended a trial class at the Imperial Fernando Ballet School in Delhi at the age of 17, drawn by his transfixion with ballet dancers in a Bollywood film. After years of demanding training sponsored by his teacher, Fernando Aguilera, in October 2020 Kamal applied for and was offered a position on the professional trainee programme at the English National Ballet School.
Funding the opportunity was out of his reach, so Kamal launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund the cost of the year-long course. Kamal’s story and his campaign caught the attention of leading Bollywood names, including Kunal Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan, and in just a fortnight he had raised enough to travel to London to take up his place.
As the year-long programme neared completion, our head of immigration, Pat Saini, worked with Kamal to apply for a global talent visa, enabling him to carry on living and working in the UK. Securing a global talent visa is a delicate process, with very precise criteria to meet. Applicants must include three separate letters of endorsement, including from an approved endorsing body such as The Royal Society or Arts Council England, as well as evidence of specialist press interest and published critiques of performance. As Kamal was a trainee, who had not yet performed in a professional production, Pat worked closely with him, his family, and the English National Ballet School to successfully draw together the evidence needed.
Since securing the visa, Kamal’s career as a professional ballet dancer has flourished. Following his graduation, he has performed in ‘Cinderella’ with the Birmingham Royal Ballet, been a principal dancer for Brecon Festival Ballet’s production of ‘The Nutcracker’ in 2023, and, most recently, joined Ballet Cymru, a touring classical ballet company based in Wales.
Key takeaways
A unique case for a global talent visa
The global talent visa is designed for talented individuals in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology, and arts and culture, but it is rare for someone at the beginning of their career, such as Kamal, to be granted one. Our lawyers’ ability to demonstrate why he was a suitable candidate was crucial.
India’s emerging talent in the global arts scene
Kamal was the first Indian dancer to be accepted on to the English National Ballet School’s professional trainee programme, reflecting the country’s growing presence in the international arts scene. With a dedicated India group and expertise in the media and creative sector, we are uniquely placed to help individuals like Kamal.
Supporting individuals with their immigration needs
The legal landscape for personal immigration is constantly changing, requiring advice that is at the cutting edge. The global talent visa was launched only a year before we were approached by Kamal, meaning it was essential for us to be able to offer up to date, effective legal guidance for his application.
Bringing world class talent to the UK
Since arriving in the UK, Kamal has gone on to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer. His story showcases the value and importance of encouraging world class individuals to bring their talents to the UK, whether in business, science, technology, or arts and culture.
Key facts
10
number of hours a day Kamal frequently trained with his teacher, Fernando
300
number of young dancers auditioning annually for the English National Ballet School’s coveted trainee programme
$28,000
amount raised by Kamal via crowdfunding
I would like to thank Pat for all her support during an extremely detailed process. It’s so exciting to have had the opportunity to build my career in the UK, something I could never have imagined only a few years ago.
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