Exceptional Talent visas open to non-performers?

[MattJust]

Hi all,

I'm a Canadian in the US on an O1 visa as a music producer/dj and I'd like to make the move to the UK on a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa.

Am I right in thinking that that visa is open to people working in music who aren't performers? For example, writers, producers, recording engineers, etc.? My major live performances and press are all more than 5 years old, despite doing pretty impressive work behind-the-scenes since then.

For what it's worth, I lived in the UK for two years - 2000-2002 - on a working holidaymaker visa. Not sure if that would impact this application.

thanks!
Matthew

[The Station Agent]

It's open to poets (one of the first videos on the subject posted on the Arts Council website was an African poet who'd got the visa) so should be open to composers and producers too. Especially if you compose/create music, rather than simply doing what others ask or tell you to do. They're big on creativity.