UK Creative Worker Visa (Temporary Work) – Specialist UK Immigration Support

  • 09/11/2025
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  • Category: Guidance
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Post-Brexit UK Work Visa for EU Musicians-Creative Worker Visa Guide

Your Gateway to the UK’s Creative Industries | Expert Support from ENT imm Ltd

Are you an international artist, performer, filmmaker, or creative professional with an engagement in the United Kingdom?

The Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work), previously known as the Tier 5 Creative and Sporting visa, is the essential immigration route for talented individuals like yourself and your accompanying entourage (technical and support staff) to come to the UK for short, specific creative engagements.

At entimm.com, we specialise in simplifying this process, ensuring your focus remains on your performance, not complex UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations. We provide clear, efficient pathways to secure your entry.

The Three Core Requirements: What You Need to Apply

The application for a Creative Worker visa is primarily based on three key pillars of the Immigration Rules which must be satisfied:

1. A Licensed Sponsor & Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

You must have a confirmed job offer or engagement from a UK-based organisation that holds a valid Sponsor Licence from UKVI specifically for the Creative Worker route.

  • Your UK sponsor must issue you a digital document called a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This is a unique electronic record that confirms your role, dates of engagement, and payment details. You will need the CoS reference number to submit your visa application.

2. Qualifying Role & Industry Standards

Your role must be genuinely required for the engagement and fall within the creative industries. The rules require compliance with strict sector-specific conditions.

For Roles Covered by a Code of Practice (e.g., ballet, theatre, film/TV performers, fashion models): The sponsor must demonstrate compliance with the relevant Appendix Creative Worker Codes of Practice. This often involves providing evidence of international status or rare skills.

For Roles NOT Covered by a Code: The sponsor must show that the role is listed under an occupation code in Appendix Skilled Occupations AND you will make a “unique contribution” to the UK’s creative life.

  • Pay and Conditions: Your pay must meet the minimum rates set by relevant industry bodies and unions (such as Equity, PACT, or BECTU).

3. Financial (Maintenance) Requirement

You must prove you have sufficient personal savings to support yourself upon arrival.

  • Required Funds: You must show you hold at least £1,270. This cash must have been held in your bank account for a continuous period of 28 days ending no more than 31 days before your visa application.
  • Sponsor Certification: Alternatively, your sponsor can confirm on your CoS that they will cover your maintenance and accommodation costs for your first month in the UK, meaning you do not need to show the funds yourself.

Key Visa Facts: Duration, Rights & Fees

  • Duration of Stay: Typically granted for up to 12 months initially, or the length of your CoS plus up to 28 days, whichever is shorter. This visa can be extended up to a maximum stay of 24 months.
  • English Language: No English language requirement applies to the Creative Worker route.
  • Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): You are required to pay the IHS fee, which grants you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during your stay.
  • Work Rights: You are allowed to work for the sponsor and in the role specified on your CoS. You can also undertake Supplementary Work in the same sector (or a job on the Immigration Salary List) for up to 20 hours per week, outside your main hours.
  • Prohibited Activities: This is a Temporary Work route. You cannot take up permanent employment, start your own business, or claim UK public funds (state benefits).
  • Bringing Dependants: Your partner and children under 18 can apply for Dependant Visas to join you, provided you meet the additional maintenance fund requirements for each dependant.

The ENT imm Advantage: Specialist Support for Creatives

Navigating UK immigration law whilst managing a tour, production, or engagement can be overwhelming.

ENT imm Ltd provides targeted, efficient visa solutions for the creative sector.

Ready to bring your talent to the UK?

Contact entimm.com today for a consultation on your Creative Worker Visa application.