A Creative Worker visa allows you to work in the UK in the creative sector. As a creative worker, you must make a contribution to the cultural life of the UK as:
- An actor
- A dancer
- A musician
- An entertainer
- A photographer
- Technical crew
- Model in the fashion industry, etc.
Eligibility Requirements for the Creative Worker Visa
To qualify for the Creative Worker visa, you must:
- Have a job offer in the UK as a creative worker.
- Make a contribution to the labor market of the UK. For example, you are famous or required for continuity.
- Receive an income as set by Equity, PACT, or BECTU.
- Have sufficient financial means to support yourself in the UK. You must have at least £1,270. You must have this sum of money available for 28 days within 31 days of applying for the visa. You do not have to meet this requirement if:
- You have been in the UK with a valid visa for one year.
- Your employer will cover your first month in the UK for up to £1,270.
- You must have a Certificate of Sponsorship. A certificate of sponsorship CoS is an important electronic document that your licensed sponsor must give you before applying for the creative worker visa. The certificate of sponsorship is a reference number containing information about you and the job you will be doing in the UK. Once you obtain the CoS, you have three months to apply for the visa.
Creative Worker Visa Concession
You can enter the UK without applying for a visa if:
- You have a valid CoS.
- You are coming to work in the UK for no more than three months.
- You don’t usually need a visa to enter the UK as a visitor.
- You still have to meet the eligibility requirements for the creative worker visa and you can’t switch to another work visa or extend your stay in the UK.
What Are the Required Documents for the Creative Worker Visa?
The required documents for the Creative Worker visa are:
- The Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.
- A valid passport. You must have a blank page for your visa.
- Proof of enough money to support your stay in the UK if your employer isn’t supporting you.
- Proof of your relationship with the dependents that will accompany you.
- Your tuberculosis test if you are from a listed country.
Note: You must also provide a certified translation of the documents that are not in Welsh or English.
Although the list of documents will be provided during your online application, you may be asked to provide additional documents, depending on your circumstances.
How to Apply for the Creative Worker Visa?
To apply for the Creative Worker visa, you must follow the steps below:
- Complete the online application form of the Creative Worker visa. To successfully apply you must have the CoS reference number. All your answers should be in English.
- Upload your documents on the online application portal. The uploaded photos or scanned documents must be PNG, JPG, or JPEG. The scanned documents can also be PDFs.
- Pay the application fee (£259) and the healthcare surcharge (£624) fee. You must pay the fees online during the application.
- Provide your biometrics at a visa application center. As you apply online you must book an appointment to provide your photo and fingerprints and the additional documents if you have been required to bring any. You can find a VAC by checking the Find a visa application center on GOV.UK.
What Are the Fees of the Creative Worker Visa?
The fees for the Creative Worker visa are as follows:
| Application fee | £259 as of April 2022 |
| Healthcare surcharge | £624 per year |
Processing Time of the Creative Worker Visa
The Creative Worker visa takes about eight weeks to get processed. If you want to get a faster decision, you have to pay an extra amount. Once you get your decision, your biometric residence permit will take up to ten working days to arrive. If your application will take longer to be processed, you will be contacted.
After Arriving in the UK with a Creative Worker Visa
After your visa application has been approved and you arrive in the UK, you must see an immigration officer. The officer will:
- Check if your CoS is valid.
- Check if you meet the financial requirement.
- Stamp your passport.
Duration of the Creative Worker Visa
You can stay in the UK for up to one year or the time given on your CoS plus another 28 days, whichever is shorter. If you want to stay longer, you can extend your creative worker visa for another year, for a total of two years.
Can I Extend the Creative Worker Visa?
You can extend your Creative Worker visa if you meet the requirements. You have to apply online for an extension of the creative worker visa. You have to apply before your current visa expires. However, you cannot extend your stay if you have used the creative worker visa concession to enter the UK.
If you want to stay with the same sponsor, you can extend for whichever is shorter of:
- One year.
- The time period specified in your CoS and another 14 days.
- The time required to extend your stay to a maximum of 24 months.
- If you want to change your sponsor, you can extend for:
- The time period specified in your CoS and another 14 days.
- The time required to extend your stay to a maximum of 12 months.
Can I Switch to the Creative Worker Visa?
You can switch to the Creative Worker visa if you:
- Are in the UK on a standard visitor visa or permitted paid engagement.
- Have done allowed activities under the Creative Worker visa.
- You received the CoS from your employer before coming to the UK.
- You cannot switch to this visa if you used the Creative Worker visa concession.
Conditions of the Creative Worker Visa
Under the Creative Worker visa, you can:
- Study
- Work for your job as stated in your CoS
- Do a second job in the same sector and level as your main job for no more than 20 hours per week
- Do a job on the skilled worker occupation list
- Bring dependents
You cannot, however:
- Get public funds
- Start your own business
- Extend your stay
- Switch to another visa
Can I Change My Sponsor?
If you have a Creative Worker Visa, and you want to change your sponsor within the same organization or move to a new organization, you must apply again and meet the eligibility requirements.
Numerous Jobs Under the Creative Worker Visa
You can have more than one job with the Creative Worker visa, you just need a CoS from each employer. 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.
Can I Bring Dependents with the Creative Worker Visa?
Yes, you can bring dependents with the Creative Worker visa. They have to meet eligibility requirements. Dependents are considered:
- Your civil partner, unmarried partner, or spouse.
- Your child under 18.
- Your child over 18 who is currently in the UK as your dependent.
Can I Obtain ILR with the Creative Worker Visa?
The Creative Worker visa does not lead to permanent settlement in the UK. If you want to obtain indefinite leave to remain in the UK, you can apply for another visa.