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Creative Visit Visa

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government.

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Can I apply for the UK Skilled Worker visa?

We can help you. It’s what we do.

Overview

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

International Sportspersons visa

This category is for highly skilled sportspersons who must be recognised by a governing body as an elite sports person or a sports coach. The applicant must demonstrate that their employment in the UK will encourage the sport to become more elite and prominent in the UK.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of 5 years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £35,800.

Indefinite leave to remain

The skilled worker visa lasts for up to five years. If you want to stay longer, you can apply to extend your, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. After five years, you may also be entitled to apply for indefinite leave to remain, which gives you the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like. You must apply to extend or update your skilled work visa UK if you change jobs or employer.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of five years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £25,600 per year.

What is the Creative Visit Visa?

The Creative Visit Visa is ideal for applicants who intend to come to the UK, to work in the creative sector. This usually is ideal for someone who wishes to visit the UK for a temporary period of up to 6 months. Please note, that this visa route does not lead to settlement in the UK and all visitors who decide to travel as part of a group, must make a separate application.  

Who can apply for a Creative Visit Visa?

Under this route, you may apply if you are able to demonstrate that you are going to undertake permitted creative activities on a short-term basis of up to 6 months. You would need to satisfy the Home Office, that you are an overseas national who is a creative worker and is looking to make a unique contribution to the UK’s rich and diverse cultural life – this may include a variety of talents as an entertainer, actor or dancer, musician and any technical or support staff recognised as the applicant’s entourage. This visa route is also open to those who work in modelling and are looking to contribute to the UK’s fashion industry.  

What are the requirements?

This route, like the other sub-categories, involves a range of a requirements that the applicant must satisfy to be considered for this pathway. These requirements include the following: 

  • To provide evidence that you are a visa national. 
  • You are genuinely seeking entry to the UK for creative intentions. 
  • You do not plan to undertake any prohibited activities. 
  • You have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit (this may include accommodation, maintenance, and travel costs) without relying on public funds.  
  • You do not plan to leave the UK at the end of your visit. 
  • You will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits or plan to make the UK your main residence. 
  • Your application does not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal. 
  • You have obtained an Electronic Travel Authorisation, if required.  

 

Regarding the permitted activities under this route, the applicant must be able to prove their reason for entry as a creative worker. Additionally, you will need to show the Home Office that you do plan to leave the UK after the duration of your visit. In assessing your application, the Home Office will likely consider the following factors: 

  • Your previous immigration history, including visits to the UK and other countries. 
  • Your financial circumstances. 
  • Evidence of your personal and economic ties to your country of residence.  

What is the Creative Visit Visa processing time?

The current processing time can take roughly 3 weeks to process if they have applied from outside the UK and 8 weeks if they have applied from within the UK. It is highly recommended that the applicant applies for a Creative Worker visa up to 3 months before the date they intend to commence work in the UK. This date will be listed on their sponsorship licence.  

How long does a Creative Visit Visa last?

A Creative Visit Visa may be valid for 6 months, 2 years, 5 years of 10 years. This will vary depending on your circumstance and whether you choose to extend your visa route. However, each visit to the UK must not exceed 6 months.  

How much does it cost to get a Creative Visit Visa?

Currently, the application fee to apply for a Creative Visit visa is £259, where the fee is equivalent whether the applicant decides to apply from inside or outside the UK. The same fee also applies to the dependents of the principal applicant or primary visa-holder.  

Please note, that the applicant together with any partner and children, will also need to pay the immigration health surcharge, which is set at £624 per year for an adult and £470 per year for a child.  

Can my dependants be included as part of my Creative Visit Visa?

One of the main benefits of this route, is that qualifying dependents of an eligible worker can accompany or join to follow them. This means that the spouse, partner of children under 18 of the main applicant can either apply at the same time or later – please note, that although this is the case, their visa will end at the same time.  

It’s crucial that the dependents apply separately and meet the eligibility requirements – this will vary for each dependent for example: 

  • For the spouse or civil partner of an eligible worker, they must be able to demonstrate that they are in a marriage or civil partnership that is recognised in the UK.  
  • Similarly, if it is an unmarried partner, they must show that they have been living together in a relationship for at least two years prior to the date of their application.  
  • Any partner and children will need to provide proof that they are self-sufficient during their stay in the UK – funds of £285 will be needed for a spouse/partner and £315 for the first dependent child and £200 for any other dependent child unless they have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months. 

How can I apply for a Creative Visit Visa?

The application process entails an online application being submitted by the applicant, using the unique reference number from their sponsorship certificate, where this certificate will only be valid for a period of 3 months from the date it is assigned to them.   

Once their application has been successfully submitted below, the applicant will need to provide supporting documentation to prove their identity. Depending on the applicant, they may be able to prove their identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app, or they may need to attend an in-person appointment to successfully enrol their biometric information.  

If required to prove their identity via the second route, the applicant will find out if an appointment is required when they start their visa application. If they are applying from outside the UK and need to attend an appointment, this will be possible at an overseas visa application centre. On the other hand, if they are applying from within the UK, the appointment will be at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services service point.   

Please be aware that, switching into the Creative Visit route from within the UK is generally not permitted. The only exception would be if the individual has, or last had, permissions as a visitor and has been in the UK undertaking permitted creative sector activities. Also, if they were assigned a valid CoS on the Creative Worker route before, they entered the UK, then this would also be considered.  

How can Bridge Partners Immigration help?

Our immigration legal experts can assist applicants from across the globe to secure visas, so that they can carry out short-term creative activities here in the UK. Whether you are seeking advice on applying for a Creative Visit visa, assistance with preparing an application or legal representation to challenge a decision to refuse an application for a Creative Visit Visa, our knowledgeable team can assist.  

We pride ourselves on providing a proactive yet friendly approach to meeting our client’s needs, to ensure that we can confidently meet your expectations. Please do not hesitate to contact us today to find out more information. 

Frequently Asked Skilled Worker visa​ Application Questions

Someone can be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa if they have a job offer from a sponsoring company in the UK for a job that is on the list of skilled worker occupations. In addition, the skilled worker must have the required skills and experience to undergo the role in the company and have the required level of English language ability.   

The minimum salary for the Skilled Worker visa is either £25,600 per year, £10.10 per hour or the “going rate” for the particular occupation code, whichever is highest. For each job on the Home Office occupation list, there is a “going rate” which details the recommended annual and hourly salary that an individual must earn for the role. The rates are based on a 39-hour week of work. Those applying for the Skilled Worker visa need 50 points to do so. These are gained from sponsorship, skill level and English language requirements. However, 20 further tradable points can be given to those that meet the minimum salary requirement. 

You cannot move to the UK without a job offer from a company that has a UK sponsor licence, unless you apply for the Global Talent visa where this is not a requirement. When you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa you must provide a certificate of sponsorship reference number which proves that you have a job offer and therefore permission to work in the UK with a registered sponsor.  

The general Skilled Worker visa requirements are that you must have a job offer from a company that is a UK-registered sponsor and have a certificate of sponsorship that confirms that you have permission to work in the UK within a specific job role. You must be paid the required minimum salary for the occupation, have the required skill level and English language ability to do the job and have enough funds to support yourself in the UK.   

Once all the correct documentation has been submitted, it takes around 3 weeks for an application for a Skilled Worker visa to be processed by the Home Office when applying outside of the UK. For applications within the UK, the standard processing time is 8 weeks, although this can take around 9 weeks on average.  

For the Skilled Worker visa, you will need to provide a valid passport and proof that you have a job in the UK with details about your job role, salary, and employer information. You will also need the reference number for your certificate of sponsorship which proves that you have an approved job offer with a registered UK sponsor. In addition, you will need to provide bank statements that show you are able to support yourself in the UK and proof of the required qualifications needed for the role such as an English language test and degree certificate.

Yes, you can study whilst on a Skilled Worker visa. There is no restriction on the number of hours you can study as long as it does not interfere with your work. Another requirement is that workers who study must first get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for their studies and present it to the education provider.  

Skilled Workers are not allowed to run their own businesses.