The Essentials of the UK Creative Worker (Temporary Work) Visa

If you are an artist, performer, musician, or film crew member who has received a short-term offer to work in the UK, the Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work) is the primary route you will use. Here is a breakdown of the core requirements and the duration of your stay.

1. You Must Have a Sponsor and a CoS

The most critical step in this process happens before you even apply: securing a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

• Licensed Sponsor Required: You must have a confirmed job offer from a UK-based organisation that holds a valid Temporary Worker – Creative Worker sponsor license issued by the Home Office.
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Your sponsor will assign you a CoS, which is a unique electronic reference number, not a physical document. This number confirms details about your job and your salary. You must use this CoS reference number when submitting your visa application.
• Unique Contribution: Your role must be able to demonstrate that you can make a unique contribution to the UK’s creative sector, or that you are internationally renowned or essential for a specific project’s continuity.

2. Visa Duration and Extension

The Creative Worker visa is designed for temporary stays.

No Route to Settlement: This visa is a temporary route and does not lead to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) in the UK.

Initial Stay: You can come to the UK for a maximum of 12 months or the duration of your Certificate of Sponsorship plus up to 28 days, whichever is shorter. Your stay must begin no more than 14 days before the start date listed on your CoS.

Extension: You may apply to extend your visa, but your total stay on the Creative Worker route with the same sponsor cannot exceed 24 months (two years).

Changing Sponsor: If you change sponsors, you must submit a new visa application and the maximum total time you can stay in the UK on this route remains 12 months with the new sponsor.