Temporary Work - Creative Worker Visa

What is a Creative Worker?

The UK Creative Worker visa facilitates the contribution of creative professionals to the UK’s thriving creative sector. It allows these individuals to work in the UK for up to 12 months, possibly extending their stay to a maximum of 2 years with the same sponsor.

This visa is part of the broader category of UK visas for temporary workers and is designed for those who make unique contributions to the UK’s cultural and creative industries, including:

• Artists
• Entertainers
• Musicians
• Dancers
• Actors
• Models
• Film crew members

This visa category also accommodates technical or support staff, known as 'entourage,' who accompany eligible creative workers. This includes individuals whose work is directly related to the creative worker's employment.

While holding the Creative Worker Visa, you can work a second job for up to 20 hours per week, as long as the additional job is in the same sector as your primary role or is listed on the Skilled Worker immigration shortage occupation list. Additionally, you are also permitted to study while on this visa.

Visa Duration

The Creative Worker visa permits holders to stay in the UK for up to 12 months or the duration specified in their certificate of sponsorship, whichever is shorter. It is possible to extend your visa, but in any event, the maximum stay under this visa is capped at 24 months.

Visa Pathway

The Creative Worker visa does not lead to permanent residency in the UK. After your visa expires, you must apply for a different visa if you wish to stay longer.

Dependents

As a UK Creative Worker visa holder, your partner and children can apply to join or stay with you in the UK as your dependents, provided they meet specific criteria, and you can prove your relationship when applying.

Eligible Dependents:

• Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner
• Children under 18, including those born in the UK during your stay
• Children over 18 if they are already in the UK as your dependents

Relationship Proof:

• If you live separately from your partner, you must provide evidence of your ongoing relationship, such as regular communication or financial support.
• If you live together, you must prove one of the following:
  • You are married or in a civil partnership recognized in the UK.
  • You have lived together for at least 2 years.
  • You have been in a relationship for at least 2 years but live separately due to circumstances such as work, study, or cultural reasons.

Children Over 16:

• Children over 16 must live with you (unless they are in full-time education), be unmarried and childless, and be financially dependent on you. Evidence of their residence, such as a bank statement or a letter from their school, will be required.

Financial Requirements:

• You, your partner, or children must have a specific amount of money available for support:
  • £285 for a partner
  • £315 for one child
  • £200 for each additional child

Visa Duration:

• Dependent visas will typically expire at the same time as yours. If the parents have different visa expiry dates, the child’s visa will end earlier.

Rights and Restrictions:

• Your dependents can work (except as sportspersons or coaches), study, travel, and apply for permanent residency after 5 years. However, they are not eligible to apply for benefits or state funds. If their application is successful, the Home Office will provide a complete list of rights and restrictions.

Requirements & Eligibility Criteria

These criteria aim to attract top creative professionals worldwide, ensuring the continued success and growth of the UK’s creative sector. To qualify for the Creative Worker visa, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Unique Contribution: You must contribute to the UK labour market. This could mean being internationally recognised in your field or essential for a specific project's continuity.
2. Certificate of Sponsorship: You need a certificate of sponsorship reference number from a UK employer.
3. Minimum Salary: You must be paid the minimum salary set by the relevant unions or industry body, except for roles such as models, musicians, or circus performers.
4. Working Hours Compliance: Your employer must adhere to UK regulations regarding the number of hours you work each week.

There is no English language requirement for the Creative Worker visa, making it more accessible to a wide range of international talent.

Sponsorship Requirement

Your employer must hold an A-rated sponsorship license to work in the UK. They will provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship, an electronic document that details your job and personal information. If your employer lacks a sponsorship license, QC Immigration can assist in obtaining one. The certificate includes a reference number you must use in your visa application.

Financial Requirements

You must prove you can support yourself in the UK by holding at least £1,270 in funds for 28 consecutive days. Alternatively, your A-rated sponsor can confirm they will cover your maintenance and accommodation costs. You're exempt from this requirement if you've lived in the UK for 12 months or more.

Unions & Industry Associations

Equity, PACT, and BECTU are UK trade unions and industry associations that advocate for and support entertainment, media, and creative professionals, ensuring that the minimum salary for sponsored creative worker jobs aligns with their established standards.

Equity: Equity is the UK trade union for performers and creative practitioners, including actors, singers, dancers, and stage managers. It advocates for fair pay, working conditions, and rights for its members across the entertainment industry.

PACT: The Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT) is a trade association representing the commercial interests of independent film, television, and digital media producers in the UK. It supports producers with negotiations, rights management, and industry standards.

BECTU: The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph, and Theatre Union (BECTU) is a UK trade union representing workers in media, entertainment, and creative industries. BECTU provides support in areas such as pay negotiations, health and safety, and career development for its members.

Required Documentation

The documents you must provide may vary based on your specific circumstances. However, when you apply, you must generally submit the following:

• Valid passport or other identity document: To confirm your identity and nationality. You will need a blank page in your passport for the visa.
• Certificate of sponsorship reference number: Provided by your employer.
• Evidence of personal savings: Such as bank statements to demonstrate you have enough funds to support yourself in the UK (unless your certificate of sponsorship indicates your employer will cover these costs).
• Tuberculosis test results: Required if you're from a country where this test is mandatory.
• Proof of relationship: If your partner or children are applying with you, you must provide evidence of your relationship.

Application Fees

The application fee is £298 per person.

Immigration Healthcare Surcharge

Applicants must pay a healthcare surcharge, currently £1,035 per year.

Processing Time

Visa decisions are usually made within 3 weeks for applications submitted outside the UK. For those applying from within the UK, processing times can extend up to 8 weeks.

Priority Service

For faster processing of your application, you can opt for premium services:

• Priority Service: This service costs an additional £500 on top of the standard application fee and typically provides a decision within five working days.
• Super-Priority Service: For an extra £1,000, the super-priority service aims to deliver a decision by the end of the next working day after your appointment, provided the appointment is on a weekday.

How to Apply for the Creative Worker Visa

All applications for the Creative Worker Visa must be made online through the government website. You can apply for the visa up to 3 months before your intended work start date in the UK.

1. Confirm Sponsorship: Ensure the organization sponsoring you has a valid sponsor licence.

2. Obtain a Job: Secure a job offer and obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer.

3. Prepare Documentation: Gather all required documents, including your passport, Certificate of Sponsorship, financial evidence, and any other necessary materials.

4. Submit Your Application: The visa application fee is determined by the length of your stay.

5. Pay the Application Fee: The visa application fee is determined by the length of your stay.

6. Provide Biometrics: Submit your biometric information either in person at a local visa application centre or through the UK Immigration ID Check app.

7. Wait for a Decision: After submitting your application, wait for the Home Office to process and decide on your visa.

Conditions of Stay Under the Creative Worker Visa

If your visa is approved, it will generally be valid for an initial period of 3 years. During this time, you are not permitted to:

• Access public funds.
• Start or operate a business.
• Apply for a second job before you begin working for your sponsor.

Extensions

You can apply to extend your Temporary Work - Creative Worker visa, and it's important to do this before your current visa expires to avoid any issues.

If you are changing sponsors, you can extend your visa based on whichever is shorter:

• The time you are listed on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days.
• The time you are needed to reach a total of 12 months.

If you are staying with the same sponsor, you can extend your visa based on whichever is shorter:

• 12 months.
• The time listed on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days.
• The time needed to reach a total of 24 months.

Creative Worker Visa Concession

The Creative Worker Visa Concession provides an alternative entry route into the UK for non-visa nationals taking on short-term creative assignments lasting less than three months. This concession allows eligible individuals to enter the UK without applying for a full visa beforehand.

To qualify, applicants must meet all the required eligibility criteria, including having a pre-arranged Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from an approved sponsor. The critical distinction is that the visa is issued at the border, making this a convenient option for creative professionals who need to begin temporary work on short notice.

QC Immigration Supporting Creative Worker Visa

The Creative Worker Visa is an excellent pathway for bringing exceptional talent to the UK’s thriving creative sector. This visa is designed for individuals who make significant contributions to the UK's cultural and creative industries, offering an initial 12-month stay with the option to extend. It also includes provisions for those who need to work in the UK on short notice for a limited period.

QC Immigration specializes in immigration services, assisting thousands of businesses and individuals with straightforward and complex visa cases. With our guidance, we help ensure that you meet all requirements before applying, giving you the confidence that your application is as strong as possible.

Our extensive experience allows us to save you time, effort, and money by efficiently preparing and submitting your application for a creative worker visa.