You need all of the following to be eligible for the creative category: make a unique contribution to the UK labour market, for example you’re internationally renowned or are required for continuity certificate of sponsorship reference number be paid the minimum salary as set by Equity , PACT or BECTU (except for models, musicians or circuses) enough money to support yourself in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt) Your employer must make sure your job pays at least the minimum wage and follows the UK rules for how many hours a week you work. If your employer does not do this, your application will be refused. Certificate of sponsorship You need a licensed sponsor to give you a certificate of sponsorship before you can apply to work in the UK. A certificate of sponsorship is a reference number which holds information about the job and your personal details. It’s not an actual certificate or paper document. Your sponsor will give you your certificate of sponsorship reference number. They must also give you some other information to help you to apply, for example how much you’ll be paid. Your certificate of sponsorship is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned to you. Changing your sponsor You must apply again and meet all the eligibility rules if you want to change your sponsor within the same organisation or move to a new organisation. Changing your sponsor does not change how long you can stay in the UK. You can only stay the maximum length of time allowed by this visa. Multiple jobs when you’re a creative worker Your sponsor can give you a certificate that covers the entire length of your stay, even if you need to perform at more than one engagement. If you’re working for more than one sponsor, you can get a certificate from each sponsor. There cannot be a gap of more than 14 days between each job. If you leave the UK and come back, your time away will not count towards those 14 days. Money to support yourself You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK. You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa. You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply , unless either: you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270 Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need . Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it. If your employer can support you instead Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm this. Your employer will need to complete the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ section on your certificate. This is under ‘Additional data’.

Documents you must provide

When you apply, you’ll need to provide: your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK , for example bank statements (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you) proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test You need a blank page in your passport for your visa. You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh. You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

Read the full guidance before you apply. Apply from outside the UK You must apply online for this visa. Proving your identity and providing supporting documents You’ll either: use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. If you do need an appointment: the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country) You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . Apply from inside the UK You can only extend your existing visa if you’re already in the UK.

Your partner and children

Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date. A dependant partner or child is any of the following: your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay your child over 18 if they currently have permission (‘leave to enter’ or ‘leave to remain’) to be in the UK as your dependant You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship to your dependant when you apply. Your partner You must be able to prove one of the following: you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply you’ve been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply but you cannot live together, for example because you’re working or studying in different places, or it’s not accepted in your culture If you’re not living together, you’ll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you: communicate regularly with each other support each other financially care for any children you have together spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events Your child They must: live with you, unless they’re living away from home in full-time education - for example, at boarding school or university not be married or in a civil partnership You’ll need to provide evidence of their address, such as: a bank statement credit card bills driving licence NHS registration document an official letter from their university or college Money they need to support themselves Your partner and children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK. You - or your partner or child - will need: £285 for your partner £315 for one child £200 for each additional child Example You - or your partner or child - would need to have £600 to bring your partner and one child with you to the UK (£285 for your partner and £315 for your child). You would also need to have £1,270 available to support yourself for your own application. You - or your partner or child - will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of you or them applying for this visa. You’ll usually need to show proof of this when they apply , unless either: you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months your employer can cover your family’s costs during your first month in the UK - this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you, they’ll only need to prove they have enough money to support themselves if they have been in the UK for less than 1 year. Apply from outside the UK Your partner and children must either: apply online as your partner apply online as your child Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee . They’ll also need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application. Proving their identity As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity. They’ll either: use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document - they’ll also create or sign in to their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre They’ll be told what they need to do when they apply. If they do need an appointment: the visa application centre may need to keep their passport and documents while they process their application they may have to travel to get to their nearest centre (this could be in another country) How long it takes to get a decision Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks. They may be able to pay to get a faster decision . Apply from inside the UK (extend or switch their visa) If you extend your visa, your partner or child’s current visa will still be valid until its original end date. Your partner or child need to apply to extend or switch their visa, either: at the same time as you at any time before their current visa expires This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay. Your partner or children cannot apply to switch to your visa as your dependants if they are currently in the UK: on a visit visa on a short-term student visa on a Parent of a Child Student visa on a seasonal worker visa on a domestic worker in a private household visa on immigration bail because they were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules , for example on compassionate grounds If your partner or child is currently in the UK on a Student visa, they can only switch if they have either: completed the course they were sponsored to study studied for a PhD for at least 24 months How to apply The application form will tell you if you can include your partner and children in your application or whether they need to apply separately. If your partner or child apply separately, they’ll need to either: extend as your partner extend as your child They’ll need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application. Proving their identity As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity. They’ll either: use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document - they’ll also create or sign in to their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do. How long it takes to get a decision Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks. They may be able to pay to get a faster decision . Children born in the UK If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen . You must apply for your child’s dependant visa if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them. The form you fill in depends on if: your child is inside the UK your child is outside the UK You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents. You must apply for their dependant visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK. What your partner or child can and cannot do Your partner or child can: work, except as a sportsperson or coach study travel abroad and return to the UK They cannot apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension. If their application is successful, they’ll get a full list of what they can and cannot do.

You can apply to extend your Temporary Work - Creative Worker visa. You should apply before your current visa expires. You cannot extend your stay if you’ve used the Creative Worker visa concession to enter the UK. Eligibility You must continue to meet the eligibility rules . You must be in the UK to extend your visa. How long you can stay If you are changing sponsors, you can extend your visa for whichever is the shortest of: the time on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days the time needed to extend your stay to the maximum of 12 months If you are staying with the same sponsor, you can extend your visa for whichever is the shortest of: 12 months the time on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days the time needed to extend your stay to the maximum of 24 months Fees Check the fees for this visa . You’ll need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there’s no fee for this. Apply to extend your Creative Worker visa You must apply online before your current visa expires. Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Apply now Continue your application You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . Your partner and children Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires. Providing fingerprints and a photo (biometric information) and supporting documents As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have. You’ll either: use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account have your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. How long it takes A decision will be made within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service. You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays. You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example: if your supporting documents need to be verified if you need to attend an interview because of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction) If your application is successful You’ll get an eVisa (an online record of your immigration status). Your decision email or letter will tell you how to get access to your eVisa . You’ll need to create a UKVI account. Find out how to get your biometric residence permit (BRP) if you were told you’d get one when you applied.

Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work)

Overview

You must apply for a Temporary Work - Creative Worker visa if:

you’ve been offered work in the UK as a creative worker
you meet the other eligibility requirements

A creative worker is someone who works in the creative industries, for example an actor, dancer, musician or film crew member.

This visa has replaced the Temporary Worker - Creative and Sporting visa (T5). If you’re a sportsperson, you can work in the UK with the International Sportsperson visa.

Sponsorship

You need to have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor before you can apply to come to the UK to work.

The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.

How long it takes

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

How much it costs

You, your partner or children will each need to:

pay the application fee
pay the healthcare surcharge, which is usually £1,035 per year
prove you have enough personal savings - check how much in the eligibility requirements

Application fee

The application fee for each person applying is £319.

The fee is the same whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.

How long you can stay

You can come to the UK for a maximum of up to 12 months, or the time given in your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 28 days, whichever is shorter.

You may be able to extend your visa.

Your stay must start no more than 14 days before the start date on your certificate of sponsorship.

If you intend to work in the UK for 3 months or less, you may be able to use the Creative Worker visa concession instead of applying for the visa.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

study (for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate)
work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
do a second job in the same sector and at the same level as your main job for up to 20 hours per week
do a job on the Skilled Worker immigration salary list for up to 20 hours per week
bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible

You cannot:

get public funds
start your own business

View a printable version of the whole guide

Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work)

Overview

Sponsorship

How long it takes

Getting a decision

How much it costs

Application fee

How long you can stay

What you can and cannot do

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Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work)

Overview

Sponsorship

How long it takes

Getting a decision

How much it costs

Application fee

How long you can stay

What you can and cannot do

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