Skilled workers from abroad significantly contribute to the expansion of the UK's creative sector, according to a recent study.

Unleashing Creativity: Assessing the Effect of Immigration Policies on the UK's Artistic Frontier

A Snapshot of the Current Scene

Skilled workers from abroad significantly contribute to the expansion of the UK's creative sector, according to a recent study.

As the UK government mulls over its Immigration White Paper, the artistic community examines the potential ramifications of stricter regulations on the nation's creative landscape. New research, released today, sheds light on the importance of a steadfast immigration system tailored to aid the sector, considering its prominence as one of the government's central growth sectors. From architecture to video games and digital design, the sector is a global seamless tapestry, fueled by innovation, and reliant on a highly skilled workforce (over 75% boasting degrees), yet grappling with skills deficits.

Today's research by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) serves as the first comprehensive analysis of migration, creative occupations, and the creative industries. The study offers detailed statistics on sector trends, growth rates, origin countries, and regional distribution within the UK.

Report Highlights:

• Since 2021, temporary visas for creative occupations have surged by 70%, almost twice the rate of growth for non-creative occupations (13.5%) in the wake of post-Brexit visa reforms.
• The period in review saw a modest 8% rise in creative worker visas (all types), while non-creative occupation visas jumped by 233% (106% excluding Health and Care visas).
• The 'IT, Software, and Computer Services' sub-sector experienced a 58.3% Gross Value Added (GVA) growth between 2010-2023, mirroring the rise in visas granted to skilled workers from Asia, particularly India, and related to this sub-sector.
• Sixty-five percent of all creative worker visas were sanctioned for the 'IT, Software, and Computer Services' field.
• Notable creative occupations supported by visas include 'Actors, entertainers, and presenters' (7.5% of all creative workers), 'Musicians' (5.5%), 'Marketing associate professionals' (4.6%), 'Arts officers, producers, and directors' (3.9%), 'Marketing and sales directors' (3.1%), 'Graphic designers' (2.2%), and 'Artists' (1.6%).
• Over half of new creative worker visas originated in Asia (62.6%), followed by Europe (16.8%), the Americas (9.1%), and Africa (9.1%). India accounted for the largest proportion (53%) of creative worker visas, while the US followed closely at 5%.
• In 2024, 16.2% of the creative industries workforce was composed of non-UK workers, an increase from 11.6% in 2014. This proportion compares favorably with the 14.4% of non-UK workers employed in non-creative industries, a growth from 9.3% in 2014.
• Several creative industries exhibited a greater dependence on overseas workers: 'IT, software, and computer services,' 'advertising and marketing,' 'museums, galleries, and libraries,' 'crafts,' 'design and designer fashion,' and 'publishing' all boast a higher proportion of non-UK workers compared to UK workers, considering the size of the overall non-UK and UK workforces.

Hasan Bakhshi, Director at Creative PEC, comments:

"Given their high-skilled workforce and persistent skills shortages, the creative industries are overrepresented by migrant workers. As the UK Government prepares to implement the commitments outlined in the Immigration White Paper, it is imperative that the migration system be fine-tuned to meet the needs of the creative industries – one of the UK's priority growth sectors."

Dr Sara Maioli, Lead Report Author at Newcastle University, states:

"The UK's creative industries continue to serve as a global powerhouse, drawing talent from across the globe and contributing £124bn in GVA in 2023. The evidence supports sustained growth in the creative industries being underpinned by skilled immigration. A modern migration system must navigate the delicate balance of achieving sustainable net immigration levels while allowing strategic sectors to attract the international talent necessary for fostering innovation and growth."

Distinctive Features of the Creative Industries to Consider in Migration Policy:

• The sector's dependency on freelance and project-based work.
• Its reliance on diverse and international talent to promote innovation.
• A disproportionately high share of micro-businesses compared to other sectors.
• Its vulnerability to technological shocks and resulting skill shortages.

In response to the research findings, the Creative PEC advocates:

• Targeting hard-to-fill vacancies through balanced migration and domestic skills policies.
• Maintaining the UK's appeal to global talent.
• Ensuring temporary and short-term visa routes remain competitive and accessible for creative occupations.
• Exploring methods to alleviate the financial burden on visa applicants.
• Forging bilateral agreements that Prioritize creative workers and their demands.
• Improving the collection and analysis of data on any barriers UK creative workers face when working abroad, particularly within the EU.

The report "Migration in UK Creative Occupations and Industries" was authored by Dr Sara Maioli, Dr Daniel Simandjuntak, Dr Jonathan Jones, and Professor Giorgio Fazio of Newcastle University. The report is published by the Creative PEC, which is funded by the UKRI's Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

The report was unveiled at an online event featuring Dr Madeleine Sumption MBE, Director of The Migration Observatory, University of Oxford, as well as the Deputy Chair of the Migration Advisory Council. Marta Foresti, the founder and CEO of LAGO – a research and creative collective on migration, culture, and the arts who recently assumed the role of Chair of the Global Creative Economy Council, also participated in the event.

Download the report: "Migration in UK Creative Occupations and Industries" (available from 12 noon, Tuesday 10 June 2025, UK time)

Download ReportThe report "Migration in UK Creative Occupations and Industries" stems from the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, a body led by Newcastle University in partnership with the Royal Society of Arts and funded by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

The research team and spokespeople for the Creative PEC are available for comment and interview.

Press contacts

Alice Kent [email protected] (Monday-Wednesday) and Simon Jones [email protected] (Thursday - Friday)

Notes to Editors

1. State of the Nations reports

The report represents part of the Creative PEC's State of the Nations series, which draws on the latest data to inform policymakers on supporting the creative sector in four key thematic areas. Ongoing reports on each area will be published yearly throughout the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)'s funding period.

2. About the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC)

Creative PEC is dedicated to supporting the expansion of the UK's creative industries through the generation of independent and authoritative research and policy advice. Led by Newcastle University in collaboration with the Royal Society of Arts, the Centre comprises a core consortium of researchers from Newcastle University, Work Advance, Sussex University, and the University of Sheffield. The PEC collaborates with a diverse range of industry partners.

For more information, visit www.ourwebsite.com, connect with us on LinkedIn, or join our mailing list.

3. About The UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council

The UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), a constituent part of UK Research and Innovation, facilitates independent research across the entirety of the arts and humanities, encompassing history, archaeology, digital content, philosophy, languages and literature, design, heritage, area studies, the performing arts, and much more. The quality and variety of research backed by AHRC drive both societal and cultural benefits and contribute to UK economic prosperity and the well-being of internationally diverse societies.

4. 'Migration in UK Creative Occupations and Industries' was designed by Mike Green at Green Doe Graphic Design

Author

• Creative PEC We provide independent research and policy recommendations for the UK's creative industries.

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1. The creative industries, a priority growth sector for the UK government, are fueled by innovation and highly reliant on a highly skilled workforce with over 75% holding degrees.
2. A new research by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) presents the first comprehensive analysis of migration, creative occupations, and the creative industries in the UK.
3. Temporary visas for creative occupations have surged by 70% since 2021, almost twice the rate of growth for non-creative occupations, according to the research.
4. The report emphasizes that the UK's creative industries, with their high-skilled workforce and persistent skills shortages, are overrepresented by migrant workers.
5. The report also highlights the sector's dependency on diverse and international talent, a disproportionately high share of micro-businesses, and vulnerability to technological shocks.
6. The report recommends targeting hard-to-fill vacancies through balanced migration and domestic skills policies, maintaining the UK's appeal to global talent, and ensuring temporary and short-term visa routes remain competitive for creative occupations.
7. The report "Migration in UK Creative Occupations and Industries" was authored by Dr Sara Maioli, Dr Daniel Simandjuntak, Dr Jonathan Jones, and Professor Giorgio Fazio of Newcastle University and published by the Creative PEC, funded by the UKRI's Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
8. The research findings and recommendations were discussed at an online event featuring experts such as Dr Madeleine Sumption MBE, Director of The Migration Observatory, University of Oxford, and Marta Foresti, founder and CEO of LAGO – a research and creative collective on migration, culture, and the arts.

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