Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work)

Printable version

1. Overview

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

  • you바카라 사이트檝e 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 you바카라 사이트檙e 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, you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You바카라 사이트檒l find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you바카라 사이트檝e applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision on your visa within:

  • 3 weeks, if you바카라 사이트檙e outside the UK
  • 8 weeks, if you바카라 사이트檙e 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:

Application fee

The application fee for each person applying is 拢319.

The fee is the same whether you바카라 사이트檙e 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:

You cannot:

2. Eligibility

You need all of the following to be eligible for the creative category:

  • make a unique contribution to the UK labour market, for example you바카라 사이트檙e internationally renowned or are required for continuity
  • certificate of sponsorship reference number
  • be paid the minimum salary as set by , or (except for models, musicians or circuses)
  • enough money to support yourself in the UK - you바카라 사이트檒l usually need to have at least 拢1,270 available (unless you바카라 사이트檙e 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. It바카라 사이트檚 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 you바카라 사이트檒l 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 you바카라 사이트檙e 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 you바카라 사이트檙e working for more than one sponsor, you can get a聽 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 拢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.

You바카라 사이트檒l usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:

  • you바카라 사이트檝e 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 拢1,270

Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they바카라 사이트檙e in the UK. Check how much they바카라 사이트檒l 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 바카라 사이트榮ponsor certifies maintenance바카라 사이트� section on your certificate. This is under 바카라 사이트楢dditional data바카라 사이트�.

3. Documents you must provide

When you apply, you바카라 사이트檒l 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 they바카라 사이트檙e applying with you
  • your tuberculosis test results if you바카라 사이트檙e from a country where you have to take the test

You need a blank page in your passport for your visa.

You바카라 사이트檒l 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.

4. Apply

Read the full guidance before you apply.

Apply from outside the UK

You must for this visa.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

You바카라 사이트檒l either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan your identity document - you바카라 사이트檒l 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

You바카라 사이트檒l 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 you바카라 사이트檙e already in the UK.

5. Your partner and children

Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your 바카라 사이트榙ependants바카라 사이트� if they바카라 사이트檙e eligible.

If your partner or child바카라 사이트檚 application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child바카라 사이트檚 parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child바카라 사이트檚 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 (바카라 사이트榣eave to enter바카라 사이트� or 바카라 사이트榣eave to remain바카라 사이트�) to be in the UK as your dependant

You바카라 사이트檒l 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:

  • you바카라 사이트檙e in a civil partnership or marriage that바카라 사이트檚 recognised in the UK
  • you바카라 사이트檝e been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
  • you바카라 사이트檝e been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply but you cannot live together, for example because you바카라 사이트檙e working or studying in different places, or it바카라 사이트檚 not accepted in your culture

If you바카라 사이트檙e not living together, you바카라 사이트檒l 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 they바카라 사이트檙e living away from home in full-time education - for example, at boarding school or university
  • not be married or in a civil partnership

You바카라 사이트檒l 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 they바카라 사이트檙e in the UK.

You - or your partner or child - will need:

  • 拢285 for your partner
  • 拢315 for one child
  • 拢200 for each additional child

Example

You - or your partner or child - would need to have 拢600 to bring your partner and one child with you to the UK (拢285 for your partner and 拢315 for your child).

You would also need to have 拢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.

You바카라 사이트檒l 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 family바카라 사이트檚 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, they바카라 사이트檒l 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:

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee.

They바카라 사이트檒l also need your application number - you바카라 사이트檒l get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You바카라 사이트檒l 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.

They바카라 사이트檒l either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan their identity document - they바카라 사이트檒l 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

They바카라 사이트檒l 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 they바카라 사이트檝e applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they바카라 사이트檒l 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 child바카라 사이트檚 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:

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, they바카라 사이트檒l need to either:

They바카라 사이트檒l need your application number - you바카라 사이트檒l get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You바카라 사이트檒l 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.

They바카라 사이트檒l either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan their identity document - they바카라 사이트檒l 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 they바카라 사이트檝e applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they바카라 사이트檒l 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 you바카라 사이트檙e in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

You must apply for your child바카라 사이트檚 dependant visa if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them.

The form you fill in depends on if:

You바카라 사이트檒l 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, they바카라 사이트檒l get a full list of what they can and cannot do.

6. Extend your visa

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 you바카라 사이트檝e 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.

You바카라 사이트檒l need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there바카라 사이트檚 no fee for this.

Apply to extend your Creative Worker visa

You must apply online before your current visa expires.

Once you바카라 사이트檝e started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you바카라 사이트檝e saved it.

Find out how to sign in to your account.

Your partner and children

Your partner or child바카라 사이트檚 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, you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you바카라 사이트檙e from and what type of passport you have.

You바카라 사이트檒l either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan your identity document - you바카라 사이트檒l 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

You바카라 사이트檒l 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.

You바카라 사이트檒l 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

You바카라 사이트檒l 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. You바카라 사이트檒l need to create a UKVI account.

Find out how to get your biometric residence permit (BRP) if you were told you바카라 사이트檇 get one when you applied.

7. Creative Worker visa concession

You can enter the UK without applying for a visa in advance if you:

  • have a valid Temporary Work - Creative Worker certificate of sponsorship
  • are coming to work in the UK for 3 months or less
  • do not normally need a visa to enter the UK as a visitor

You must still meet the Temporary Work - Creative Worker visa eligibility requirements.

Your partner and children can travel with you if they also do not normally need a visa to enter the UK as a visitor.

If you바카라 사이트檙e travelling to the UK from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man

You must at least 72 hours before you arrive in the UK.

When you arrive in the UK

You must see an immigration officer when you arrive unless you have remote clearance to enter from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

The officer will:

  • check your certificate of sponsorship is valid
  • check you have enough money to support yourself - check how much in the eligibility requirements
  • stamp your passport

Do not use the automatic ePassport gates. You will not be allowed to work if you do not see an immigration officer and get a stamp in your passport.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

You cannot: