UK Creative Worker visa

What the Creative Worker visa is and who it is for

The Creative Worker visa is a temporary work visa for people employed in the UK's creative industries. Gov.uk gives examples including actors, dancers, musicians and film crew members, but the route covers a broad range of creative and performance roles.

It is a sponsored route, meaning applicants must have a confirmed job offer from an organisation that holds a valid sponsor licence, and the work must relate to that sponsor's activities. It is intended for time-limited creative engagements, not for building towards permanent residence in the UK.

• Part of the Temporary Work immigration category (formerly Temporary Worker - Creative and Sporting, T5)
• Requires a licensed UK sponsor and a certificate of sponsorship
• For creative roles such as performers, musicians and production crew
• For short stays of 3 months or less, gov.uk directs applicants to the separate Creative Worker visa concession instead

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must meet all of the core requirements set out by gov.uk. These focus on sponsorship, the value the worker brings, minimum pay set by industry bodies, and having enough money to support themselves.

• Have a valid certificate of sponsorship reference number from a licensed sponsor (a certificate is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned)
• Make a unique contribution to the UK labour market - for example being internationally renowned, or required for continuity of a production
• Be paid at least the minimum rate set by Equity, PACT or BECTU, except for models, musicians or circus performers
• Have enough personal savings (see costs below), unless exempt
• The work must relate to the sponsor organisation's activities

Money you must have available

Applicants normally need to show personal savings to prove they can support themselves when they arrive.

• £1,270 must be available
• The money must have been held continuously for 28 consecutive days, and the 28th day must fall within 31 days of the date you apply
• You do not need to show this money if you have held a valid UK visa for 12 months or more before applying
• You also do not need to show it if your sponsor certifies on the certificate of sponsorship that they will cover your costs for the first month (up to £1,270)

Costs

The main costs are the application fee and the healthcare surcharge, plus the savings you must have available. Each family member who applies pays their own application fee and healthcare surcharge.

• Application fee: £340 per person
• Healthcare surcharge (IHS): usually £1,035 per year, paid for each applicant
• Savings: £1,270 must be available unless exempt (this is money you must show, not a fee)
• You can pay an extra fee for a faster decision where that service is offered

Documents you must provide

Applicants must supply documents to prove their identity, sponsorship and (where required) their savings. Additional documents may be needed depending on individual circumstances.

• Certificate of sponsorship reference number (given to you by your employer)
• A valid passport or other document proving your identity and nationality
• Proof of savings, such as bank statements, unless your sponsor is covering your costs
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results if you are from a country where the test is required
• Proof of your relationship to any partner or child included in the application
• A certified translation of any document not in English or Welsh

How to apply

You apply online. As part of the process you must prove your identity, either using the UK Immigration: ID Check app to scan your document, or by attending a visa application centre to give your fingerprints and a photo. You are told which method to use after you start the application.

You can apply up to 3 months before your job start date, as shown on your certificate of sponsorship. People already in the UK cannot make a fresh application on this route - they can only extend an existing visa (see below).

Processing times

Decision times depend on where you apply from. A faster decision may be available for an extra fee.

• Applying from outside the UK: usually a decision within 3 weeks
• Extending from inside the UK: usually a decision within 8 weeks

Partner and children

Your partner and children can usually apply to join or stay with you if they are eligible. Each dependant must show they can be supported financially.

• Partner: a spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner you have lived with in a relationship for at least 2 years
• Child: under 18, or over 18 if they already have permission to stay as your dependant; the child must not be married or in a civil partnership
• Money that must be available: £285 for a partner, £315 for a first child, and £200 for each additional child, held for 28 days in a row
• Dependants can generally work (but not as a professional sportsperson or coach) and can study
• Dependants cannot claim most public funds, and their visa usually ends on the same date as the main applicant's

How long you can stay

A standard Creative Worker visa lets you stay for up to 12 months, or for the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 28 days, whichever is shorter.

• You can work for your sponsor in the job described on your certificate of sponsorship
• You can take a second job of up to 20 hours a week, in the same sector and at the same level as your main job, or in a role on the Skilled Worker eligible occupations list
• You can study, subject to any conditions
• You cannot claim public funds or set up a business

Extending your visa

You may be able to extend your stay from inside the UK if you continue to meet the eligibility rules. You must be in the UK to apply to extend.

The total time you can stay depends on your sponsor. With the same sponsor you can stay for up to 24 months in total; if you change sponsor the maximum is 12 months in total. People who entered using the Creative Worker visa concession cannot extend.

Switching and settlement

This route does not lead to settlement (indefinite leave to remain). Time spent on a Creative Worker visa does not count towards permanent residence.

Changing sponsor requires a new application in which you must meet all the eligibility rules again. If you want to stay in the UK long term, you would generally need to apply on a different route that permits it; check gov.uk or take immigration advice about your options.