Creative Worker Visa (Temporary Work)

Temporary Work Visa routes allow migrants to come to the UK for up to two years and work in various fields.

None of them offer a route to settlement, but there is no English language requirement.

Requirements for a Creative Worker Visa (Temporary Work)

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances.  You may wish to speak to an immigration lawyer for an individual expert advice.

Eligibility requirements

You can apply for a Temporary Work - Creative Worker visa if you’ve been offered work in the UK as a creative worker. 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).

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

  • be paid the minimum salary as set by Equity, PACT or BECTU (except for models, musicians or circuses)

  • have a certificate of sponsorship reference number from your UK sponsor; 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

  • have enough money to support yourself in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt)

  • 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 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 your sponsor can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270.

    If your sponsor can support you instead

    Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm this.

  • Once you’ve applied, 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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’re currently 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

    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.