Two Nigerian men posing as fine art photographers had their UK Global Talent visas revoked after an investigation revealed they used faked newspaper reviews and artwork to secure them.
Launched in 2020 by the UK government, the Global Talent visa scheme aims to attract scientists, researchers, and creative artists. Applicants are not interviewed and must prove they are talented in their field.
Applicants offer a quick path to permanent residency in three or five years for themselves and their families.
Following a BBC investigation, the Home Office initiated the revocation of visas issued to two Nigerian men who successfully obtained them on the basis of faked evidence. Their deception came to light when art critic Molara Wood discovered articles reviewing their work in the Nigerian Tribune under her byline, even though she had not written them.
The Nigerian Tribune said it identified a staff member who posted the articles without authorization. The employee admitted a person outside the organization supplied the articles but denied receiving payment for them.
Investigators found that wealthy migrants looking to cheat the system are offered fake art portfolios for a large fee. A consultant from a London company told an undercover reporter posing as a client that the firm could supply artwork produced in China.
The firm can also arrange exhibitions, secure media coverage, and provide letters of recommendation.
The consultant said that no clients taking the fully inclusive package, which costs more than £100,000, had ever been refused a Global Talent visa. Social media posts from employees of iCareer pitched the visas as a route for wealthy Chinese nationals to come to the UK without needing to speak English.
Posts from its sister company ADArt Global Ltd also pitched the visas. In videos on social media platform Xiaohongshu under the username “iCareerPeter”, Peter, whose real name is Shilong Guan, boasted about the service.
ADArt Global Ltd is registered with the government regulator to offer immigration advice.
About 6,600 Global Talent visas were granted in 2025. Applications in the arts and culture category nearly doubled between 2023 and 2025, and must be approved by Arts Council England, which endorsed just under half of the nearly 3,500 applications it received last year.
