Tier 5 Creative and Sporting Visas
You must apply for a Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Creative and sporting) visa if:
- you’ve been offered work in the UK as a sports person or creative worker
- you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
You’ll still need to apply for this visa if you’re travelling to the UK from the Republic of Ireland and you’re from outside the EEA and Switzerland.
A creative worker is someone who works in the creative industry, for example an actor, dancer, musician or film crew member.
Speak to our assessment team now to confirm your eligibility and options for free on 0203 384 4389.
Further Information
Sponsorship
The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation.
How Long It Takes
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
How long you can stay
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.
What you can and can't do
- 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 shortage occupation list for up to 20 hours per week
- work as a sportsperson for your national team and as a sports broadcaster if you’re here under the sporting subcategory
- bring your family
You can’t:
- get public funds
- start your own business
Eligibility
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 doesn’t change how long you can stay in the UK. You can only stay the maximum length of time allowed by this visa.
Multiple entry
Your sponsor needs to give you a multiple entry certificate of sponsorship if you need to leave and come back to the UK as part of the job you’re doing.
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 1 engagement. If you’re working for more than 1 sponsor, you can get a certificate from each sponsor. There can’t be a gap of more than 14 days between each job.
Documents you must provide
- your current passport or travel document, and your old passports
- bank statements showing you’ve had at least £945 in savings continuously for 90 days before you apply – this is to prove you can support yourself and you must have had this in your bank account for 90 days before you apply
- your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
- a letter of endorsement from your sport’s governing body, if you’re applying as a sportsperson or coach
You need a page in your passport that’s blank on both sides for your visa.
You won’t need £945 in savings if your fully approved (‘A-rated’) sponsor has stated on your certificate of sponsorship that they’ll certify your maintenance and that you won’t claim benefits during your stay.
You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that aren’t in English or Welsh.
You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.
Extend your visa
You should apply before your current visa expires.
Eligibility
You must continue to meet the eligibility rules.
You must be in the UK to extend your visa.
How long you can stay
Creative worker
You can extend your visa for whichever is the shortest of:
- up to 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
You must stay with the same sponsor.
Sports person
You can extend your visa up to 12 months, or the time on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
How long it takes
A decision will be made:
- within 8 weeks for postal and online applications
- usually on the same day if you use the premium service
You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, eg:
- 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)
Once you’ve applied you can stay in the UK until you’ve been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired.
Switch to this visa
You can also switch to this visa if you enter the UK as a sports or entertainer visitor after 28 April 2015.
You should apply before your current visa expires.
How long you can stay
You can stay for a maximum of up to 12 months after switching to a Tier 5 (Temporary worker – Creative and sporting) visa.
How long it takes
A decision will be made:
- within 8 weeks for postal and online applications
- usually on the same day if you use the premium service
You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, eg:
- 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)
Once you’ve applied you can stay in the UK until you’ve been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired.
Family Members
A dependant is any of the following:
- your partner
- your child aged under 18
- your child aged 18 or older if they’re already in the UK as dependants
You should send your dependant’s application at the same time as yours.
They’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of their application.
They must complete their visa application by 5 July if they’ve already paid the immigration health surcharge or they might have to pay it twice. They’ll get a refund for their first payment.
You can use the if you’re a dependant applying in the UK on your own or you’re applying for your UK-born child to stay.
Savings
You must show that your dependants can be supported while they’re in the UK.
Each dependant must have £630 available to them whether they apply with you or separately. This is in addition to the £945 you must have to support yourself.
You must have proof you have the money, and that it’s been in your bank account or your dependant’s bank account for at least 90 days before you or they apply.
Example:
You must have £2,205 if you want to bring your partner and 1 child with you to the UK (£945 to support yourself + £630 for your partner + £630 for your child).
Children born while you’re in the UK
If you have children while you’re in the UK, you can apply for permission for them to stay.
You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them.
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The assessor will establish why you are calling and what you are looking for assistance with. The assessor will ask you a series of questions to determine your circumstances in relation to your objectives.
The assessment is 100% private and confidential. As we are a private law firm, we work with our clients to overturn Government decisions daily. We do not share any information with any third party.
Although the assessor will be a trained immigration specialist, they are not solicitors and therefore will not give you detailed legal advice or guidance.
If you want to establish what your options are and the best way forward for you, your assessor will collate the necessary information and then speak with one of the resident senior solicitors at the firm to determine what your options are, if and how we could assist and confirm whether we would be prepared to take your case. If we can assist, you will be provided with an Agreed Fixed Fee quotation which is a single legal fee to cover the firms cost of representation agreed from the outset and binding for all parties.
The free assessment is no obligation and you are merely given clarity on your position and options to move forward.
If you have a complex matter or require legal advice regarding a specific issue, you will most likely require a legal consultation.
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Please note, UK Immigration Solicitors are a private law firm and are not part of the Government. We do not accept legal aid instructions. Although we are happy to assist genuine callers, we are not a directory service and sadly are unable to provide you with Government telephone numbers.
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