You need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job you plan to undertake in the UK in order to obtain a Temporary Work – Creative Worker Visa. Sponsors of temporary workers – creative workers must possess a valid licence.

Sponsorship will be provided by an organization operating in the creative sector. Among the examples are a national arts body, an events organiser, a producer, a venue, an agent, a promoter or promotion company, a production company or a media organization. It is possible that your sponsor is not your direct employer.

Your sponsor will confirm the following when they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship:

• Where applicable, you will comply with your relevant Creative Worker Code of Practice;
• Your position appears on the shortage occupation list; or
• Your sponsor determined that your job position could not be performed by a settled worker prior to awarding you the Certificate of Sponsorship

Sponsors in the creative sector can issue certificates of sponsorship to individual creative workers. They can also issue group certificates of sponsorship for a performer and their entourage. An entourage can include people whose work is directly related to the employment of an entertainer, cultural artist, sportsperson or a dramatic production. Members of an entourage must have proven technical or specialist skills.

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account for a period of at least 28 days, ending no more than 31 days before the date of your Creative Worker Visa application, unless you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months or your sponsor agrees to cover your costs during your first month in the UK (and this is reflected on your Certificate of Sponsorship).

English language proficiency is not a requirement for the Temporary Work – Creative Worker Visa. 

For Creative Workers who wish to work for the same sponsor for a further 24 months, they may apply for an extension.  If a creative worker wishes to change employers, he or she may stay in the UK for up to 12 months.

On the Creative Worker Route, visitors who entered the UK for up to 3 months under the Creative Worker Visa Border Concession will not be able to extend their stay in the UK

Visas for temporary work – creative workers are not a route to permanent residence.  It may, however, be possible to switch to another immigration route that allows indefinite leave to remain.

After you have been granted a Temporary Work – Creative Worker Visa, you will be allowed to enter the UK for up to 12 months, or up to the time stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus up to 14 days before and after the period of leave granted

You will be able to work for your sponsor in the job described on your Certificate of Sponsorship if your application for a Temporary Work – Creative Worker Visa is successful.  

In addition, you can do a second job in the same sector and at the same level as your main job for up to 20 hours per week, and work on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list for up to 20 hours per week.

Those who are citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or any other non-visa national and who have received a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from an approved sponsor and whose total engagement or engagements in the UK will be 3 months or less may qualify for a temporary work concession which allows them to enter the UK without a visa.  

In most cases, Temporary Work – Creative Worker Visa applications are decided within three weeks. If the visa application centre offers a priority service, a faster decision may be possible.

In most cases, Creative Workers extend their stay within eight weeks of applying.  Applicants who apply through the Priority Service can also obtain a decision within five days, while applicants who apply through the Super Priority Service will receive a decision by the end of the next working day.

If you’re granted entry clearance or leave to remain as a Creative Worker, you can be accompanied by a dependent partner and dependent children under 18 years of age.

Our expert legal team are highly experienced in assisting with the below services (where the option has been made available by UKVI and is considered appropriate)

New Applications – We can help you assess the merits, challenges and solutions to any issues arising whilst making a new application for the Creative Worker Scheme

Dependents – We can help you make a successful application for your partner or children to join you as your dependents on your Creative Worker Visa

Legal Representations – Where applicable, if you find yourself in an unusual or challenging situation and want the Home Office to take notice of your special circumstances to ensure that you are treated fairly and your rights are respected, our expert team can make both oral and written persuasive legal representations.

Challenge a Refusal – If your application has been refused, we can consider your refusal for free and advise on the best course of action.

Administrative Review – Home Office or Immigration Rules can be challenged if the decision-maker failed to follow them correctly.

Judicial Review – If your application was denied illegally, unreasonable or procedurally improperly, our immigration lawyers can apply for Judicial Review and represent you at the Judicial Review hearing.

Appeal an Unfair Decision – The decision to refuse your application may provide you with a right of appeal to the First Tier Tribunal. Our expert lawyers can advise you on and handle Appeals before the Immigration & Asylum Chamber (First Tier & Upper Tribunal)