Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work)

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa Name	Temporary Work - Creative Worker visa
Stay Duration	Up to 12 months (max 24 if extending)
Visa Application Fee	£340 per applicant
Healthcare Surcharge	Usually £1,035 per year
Personal Savings Requirement	£1,270 (plus dependant funds)
Application Timing	Up to 3 months before start date
Processing Time (Outside UK)	Usually within 3 weeks
Processing Time (Inside UK)	Usually within 8 weeks
Work Rights	Sponsored job, eligible second jobs up to 20h/week
Study Rights	Allowed (ATAS may be required)
Public Funds	Not permitted
Family Sponsorship	Eligible partners and children can apply
Medicare / Healthcare	Paid via immigration healthcare surcharge
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Visa Record	eVisa issued for successful applicants
Travel Facility	Dependants may travel; in-country applicants must not

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Purpose & Overview

The Temporary Work - Creative Worker visa allows individuals in creative industries (e.g., actors, dancers, musicians, or film crew members) to work in the UK. This route replaces the Temporary Worker - Creative and Sporting visa (T5).

If you are coming to work for 3 months or less and do not normally need a visa as a visitor, you may be eligible to use the Creative Worker visa concession instead of making a formal visa application.

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Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, applicants must:

• Make a unique contribution to the UK labour market (e.g., internationally renowned or required for continuity).
• Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number from a UK-licensed sponsor.
• Be paid the minimum salary set by Equity, PACT, or BECTU (except for models, musicians, or circus performers).
• Be paid at least the UK National Minimum Wage and comply with weekly working hour limits.
• Have at least £1,270 in personal savings held for at least 28 consecutive days (day 28 must be within 31 days of applying), unless:
  • You have held a valid UK visa for at least 12 months; or
  • Your sponsor certifies maintenance on your CoS under "Additional data."

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Rules

• Valid for 3 months from the date assigned.
• Must relate directly to the sponsor organisation's work.
• Multiple engagements can be covered under one CoS or individual certificates from different sponsors, provided there is no gap of more than 14 days between engagements (time spent outside the UK does not count toward the 14 days).
• If changing sponsors, a new application must be made; the maximum allowable stay does not reset.

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Length of Stay & Extensions

• Initial Stay: Up to 12 months, or the time stated on your CoS plus up to 28 days (whichever is shorter). Your stay cannot start more than 14 days before your CoS start date.
• Extensions with Same Sponsor: Shortest of 12 months, CoS period plus 14 days, or the time needed to reach a maximum stay of 24 months.
• Extensions with New Sponsor: Shortest of the CoS period plus 14 days, or the time needed to reach a maximum stay of 12 months.
• Note: You cannot extend your stay in the UK if you entered via the Creative Worker visa concession.

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Costs

• Visa Application Fee: £340 per applicant (inside or outside the UK).
• Immigration Health Surcharge: Usually £1,035 per year per applicant.
• Biometrics: No fee for enrolling biometric information.

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What You Can and Cannot Do

Permitted

• Work for your sponsor in the job specified on your CoS.
• Work a second job for up to 20 hours per week in the same sector and at the same level as your primary role.
• Work a job on the Skilled Worker immigration salary list for up to 20 hours per week.
• Study (an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate may be required for specific subjects).
• Bring eligible dependants.

Prohibited

• Access public funds or State Pension.
• Start your own business.

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Dependant Family Members

Eligible partners and children under 18 (or over 18 if currently in the UK as your dependant) can apply.

Relationship Requirements

• Partners: Legally married, in a civil partnership, or living together / in a committed relationship for at least 2 years.
• Children: Must live with you (unless in full-time education) and cannot be married or in a civil partnership. UK-born children do not automatically obtain British citizenship; a dependant application is required before age 18 to remain or travel.

Dependant Financial Requirements

Unless exempt (12 months on a valid visa or employer-certified maintenance), applicants must show:

• Partner: £285
• First child: £315
• Each additional child: £200 (Held for at least 28 consecutive days within 31 days of application).

In-Country Switching Restrictions for Dependants

Dependants cannot switch to this visa if they currently hold:

• Visit visa
• Short-term student visa
• Parent of a Child Student visa
• Seasonal worker visa
• Domestic worker in a private household visa
• Immigration bail or permission outside the immigration rules

Student visa holders can only switch if they completed their course or completed at least 24 months of a PhD.

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Creative Worker Visa Concession (Up to 3 Months)

Eligible non-visa nationals may enter for up to 3 months without an advance visa if they:

• Hold a valid CoS for a Creative Worker role.
• Meet standard eligibility and maintenance requirements.
• Obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), if required.
• Border Entry: You must see a Border Force officer to get your passport stamped and cannot use the ePassport gates. If travelling via Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man, you must apply for remote clearance at least 72 hours prior to arrival.

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Required Documents

• Valid passport or accepted identity document.
• Certificate of sponsorship (CoS) reference number.
• Bank statements showing sufficient maintenance funds (unless exempt/certified).
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applying from a listed country).
• Relationship evidence for dependants (e.g., marriage certificates, proof of cohabitation, full UK birth certificates).
• Certified translations for any non-English or non-Welsh documents.

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Application Steps

1. Obtain a CoS: Receive your reference number from your UK sponsor.
2. Apply Online: Submit your application up to 3 months before your work start date.
   • Apply from outside the UK
   • Extend inside the UK
3. Pay Fees: Settle the £340 application fee and healthcare surcharge for each applicant.
4. Prove Identity: Either scan documents via the UK Immigration: ID Check app or book an appointment at a visa application centre / UKVCAS point.
5. Awaiting Decision: Standard processing is 3 weeks outside the UK and 8 weeks inside the UK (priority options may be available).

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Important Warnings

• Travel During In-Country Applications: You must not travel outside the Common Travel Area (UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man) while waiting for an in-country decision, or your application will be automatically withdrawn.
• ePassport Gates Warning: If entering under the 3-month concession, you must not use automatic eGates. You must see an immigration officer to receive a stamp to have valid permission to work.