Guidance for employers in the creative sector on how to sponsor a creative worker on the Creative Worker route.
This route allows creative workers who can make a unique contribution to the UKs rich cultural life, and their entourage, to come to the UK for up to 12 months initially, with the option to extend their permission up to a maximum of 24 months (if continuing to work for the same sponsor).
Updates to this page
Published 9 December 2020 Last updated 8 October 2024 +show all updates
Updated to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules coming into effect on 8 October 2024.
Updated guidance to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules coming into effect on 16 May 2024, as set out in Statement of Changes HC 590 (published on 14 March 2024), and to make some other minor amendments and clarifications.
Updated to say certain nationalities using the Creative Worker visa concession will need to get an electronic travel authorisation before travelling. For full details, see the 'changes to this guidance' section.
Accessible version added.
Updated guidance to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules coming into effect on 12 April 2023.
The guidance has been updated to reflect changes to the Immigration Rules coming into force on 9 November 2022 and to make some other minor changes and clarifications. See 'Changes to this guidance' for full details.
Updated guidance on sponsoring a Creative Worker for use on or after 11 April 2022.
Updated guidance, changes are detailed on page 6.
Updated to reflect the introduction of the new Temporary Work Creative Worker route, to outline responsibilities for sponsors who will be sponsoring school-age children, and other minor amendments and clarifications.
Added accessible version.
Guidance updated to reflect the amended definition of "consecutive engagement" in the latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 1248), and other minor amendments.
