Creative Worker Visa – Temporary Work

Creative Worker Visa: Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Essentials

To apply for a Creative Worker Visa in the UK, it is mandatory to secure a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from an authorised organisation that holds a Temporary Work – Creative Worker sponsor licence, approved by the UK Home Office.

Your sponsoring organisation must operate within the creative industries. This may include, but is not limited to: national arts institutions, event management companies, theatre producers, entertainment venues, booking agents, promotional agencies, production houses, or media corporations. The sponsor might not always be your direct employer but must be officially recognised as your sponsor.

When a CoS is assigned, the sponsor confirms one of the following:

• You meet the applicable Creative Worker Code of Practice for your role (if one exists);

• Your position is listed on the Shortage Occupation List; or

• A genuine attempt was made to recruit locally, but no suitable settled worker was available for the role.

Sponsors within the creative industry may issue individual sponsorship certificates or group certificates covering performers and their essential entourage. Entourage members must possess verified technical or specialist expertise directly tied to the performance or production.

Financial Requirement for a UK Creative Worker Visa

If you have not resided in the UK with lawful immigration status for at least 12 consecutive months, or your sponsor does not confirm financial support on your CoS, you must demonstrate access to at least £1,270. These funds must have been held in your account for a minimum of 28 consecutive days, and the last day of this period must be within 31 days of submitting your visa application.

English Language Requirement

The Creative Worker route under the Temporary Work visa category does not require proof of English language proficiency.

Duration of Stay for Creative Worker Visa Holders

Upon approval of your Creative Worker visa application, you may be granted entry clearance or permission to stay in the UK for up to 12 months, or for the period stated on your CoS plus up to 14 days before and after, whichever is shorter.

Extension Options for Creative Worker Visa Holders

If you wish to continue working under the same sponsor, you may apply for a visa extension, with a maximum stay of 24 months. However, if changing sponsors, your total permitted stay under this route cannot exceed 12 months.

Individuals who entered the UK via the Creative Worker Border Concession (valid for up to 3 months) cannot extend their stay under this route.

Path to Settlement in the UK

The Creative Worker visa is designed as a temporary work route, and does not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain (ILR). However, it may be possible to transition into a different visa category that does offer a path to settlement.

Switching Into the Creative Worker Route from Within the UK

Switching into the Creative Worker visa category from inside the UK is generally not permitted. The only exception applies to those who:

• Were assigned a valid Creative Worker CoS on or before 8 November 2022, and

• Subsequently entered the UK under either the Standard Visitor visa (for creative activities) or as a Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor.

Work Permissions and Conditions of Stay

As a Creative Worker visa holder, you are authorised to work only in the role specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship. Additionally, you may undertake:

• A second job in the same sector and at the same skill level for up to 20 hours per week, and

• An additional role listed on the Skilled Worker Shortage Occupation List, also for up to 20 hours per week.

Creative Worker Visa Border Concession

If you are not a visa national (e.g., a citizen of an EU, EEA, or Swiss country), and:

• You hold a valid CoS for the Creative Worker route, and

• Your paid engagements in the UK will not exceed 3 months

You may be eligible to enter the UK without applying for a visa in advance, by requesting permission at the UK border under the Temporary Work – Creative Worker Border Concession.

Processing Times for Creative Worker Visa Applications

Standard processing times for most Creative Worker visa applications are approximately 3 weeks. Faster decisions may be available through Priority or Super Priority services, depending on the location of the visa application centre.

For visa extension applications submitted from within the UK, decisions are typically issued within 8 weeks, with expedited options offering outcomes in 5 working days or by the end of the next working day.

Bringing Dependants Under the Creative Worker Visa

If you are granted entry or leave to remain under the Creative Worker route, your partner and children under 18 may apply to join or accompany you as your dependants.

Visa Refusals and Next Steps

If your Creative Worker visa application is refused, you may have the option to submit a new application or request an Administrative Review to challenge the decision, depending on the circumstances of the refusal.

How Link And Day Lawyers Can Support You

At Link And Day Lawyers, we specialize in delivering tailored immigration solutions for creative professionals and their support teams across diverse artistic fields. Whether you’re an artist, dancer, musician, entertainer, or model, our experienced immigration barristers are committed to helping you align your visa pathway with your professional milestones and start dates.

We take pride in offering a client-centric approach friendly, responsive, and results-driven. Our legal team is passionate about providing strategic, transparent, and dependable immigration guidance designed to support your creative journey. From initial consultations to application submissions, we work closely with you to ensure your immigration strategy complements your long-term career goals.