UK Creative Visit Visa

UK CREATIVE VISIT VISA FOR RESIDENTS OF SWITZERLAND

The UK Creative Visit Visa is available to residents of Switzerland who are either amateur or professional artists, entertainers or musicians (including their personal and technical staff) and who wish to visit the UK for permitted creative activities for up to 6 months. This visa is a sub-category of the Standard Visitor route, designed for temporary visits to the UK for up to 6 months.

The Creative Visit Visa does not lead to UK settlement.

Do Swiss (Or EU) Citizens Need a UK Visit Visa?

Under UK immigration law, Swiss (and EU) citizens are non-visa nationals. This means that most citizens of Switzerland (and the EU) who are visiting the UK for the purpose of permitted short-term creative activities in the UK do not need to apply for a UK Visit Visa in advance of travelling. Swiss (and EU) nationals can simply enter the UK using the ePassport gates and will automatically receive 6 months permission to enter as a Visitor.

However, all Swiss (and EU) citizens visiting the UK for the purpose of permitted short-term creative activities in the UK must still satisfy the UK Visitor Visa eligibility requirements (set out below) and may be asked to prove that these requirements are met at the UK Border.

If you are a citizen of Switzerland (or the EU) and you are planning to enter the UK for the purpose of permitted short-term creative activities in the UK, you should ensure that you understand the eligibility requirements for a short stay visit and can prove that you satisfy these requirements if asked to do so.

When Should a Swiss (Or EU) Citizen Apply for a UK Visit Visa?

Although not required under UK immigration law, some Swiss (and EU) citizens may choose to apply for a UK Visit Visa before travelling to the UK for permitted short-term creative activities in the UK in order to reduce uncertainty and facilitate smoother entry into the UK.

The main reasons for Swiss (and EU) citizens to apply for a UK Visit Visa before travelling to the UK for the purpose of permitted short-term creative activities in the UK are as follows:

To Avoid Potential Issues at the UK Border: Applying for a UK Visit Visa in advance can provide Swiss (and EU) citizens a level of certainty and reduce the risk of being denied entry upon arrival. Border officers have the discretion to refuse entry if they have doubts about your intentions or your ability to support yourself.

Previous Travel History Concerns: If you have previously had issues with UK immigration or have an irregular travel history, including having previously been refused entry into the UK or overstayed your permission for any reason, applying for a UK Visit Visa in advance can help address any concerns proactively.

Having a Criminal Record: If you have a criminal record, applying for a UK Visit Visa in advance can help address any potential issues. As part of your UK Visit Visa application you can provide necessary documentation and explanations, ensuring that any concerns are dealt with before travel rather than at the UK border.

Complex Travel Plans: If your travel plans are complex, involving multiple countries or tight schedules, having a UK Visit Visa could help ensure that there are no unexpected complications.

Do Swiss (or EU) Citizens Need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (UK ETA)?

From 2 April 2025, Swiss citizens (and EU nationals) visiting the UK will need to obtain for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling, even if they do not require a visa. This additional requirement applies to all short visits, including those for family visits, tourism, work-related training, business and permitted paid engagements.

Do Other Residents of Switzerland Need a UK Visit Visa?

If you are a visa national under UK immigration law residing in Switzerland, you must apply for a UK Visit Visa before travelling.

A visa national is someone who needs a visa to enter the UK as a visitor due to their nationality. The Home Office provides a list of nationalities that require a Visit Visa before travel. Some exceptions allow certain visa nationals to seek entry on arrival.

Non-visa nationals residing in Switzerland can seek entry upon arrival without a Visit Visa but must still satisfy the entry requirements, including explaining the purpose of their visit and their arrangements for accommodation and return travel. Although not required, non-visa nationals may choose to apply for a UK Visit Visa before travelling to the UK for permitted short-term creative activities in the UK in order to reduce uncertainty and facilitate smoother entry into the UK.

To discuss your UK Creative Visit Visa application, contact our UK immigration law firm in Switzerland on +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form below.

Requirements for a UK Creative Visit Visa from Switzerland

To qualify for a UK Creative Visit Visa from Switzerland, you must satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

Purpose: Your visit is for a purpose permitted under the visitor routes.
No Prohibited Activities: You will not engage in any prohibited activities.
Financial Capability: You have sufficient funds to cover travel, maintenance, and accommodation costs without working or accessing public funds.
Exit the UK: You will leave the UK at the end of your visit and within 6 months.
Temporary Stay: You will not live in the UK through frequent or successive visits, nor make it your main home.
General Grounds: Your application does not fall under the general grounds for refusal.

These requirements may vary based on individual circumstances. Consult a specialist UK immigration lawyer for expert advice.

UK Visit Visa for Artists, Entertainers, and Musicians in Switzerland

Definitions:

Artist: Includes poets, film crew, photographers, designers, musicians, writers, and conductors.
Entertainer: Includes dancers, comedians, circus acts, film crew, and e-sport participants.
Personal and Technical Staff: Includes choreographers, stage managers, make-up artists, personal bodyguards, and press officers attending the same event as their employer.

Permitted Creative Activities for Swiss Residents

With a Creative Visit Visa, Swiss residents can visit the UK for up to 6 months to:

Perform as an individual or group.
Participate in competitions or auditions.
Make personal appearances and engage in promotional activities.
Join cultural events or festivals on the Permit Free Festival List.
Film crew can take part in location shoots for overseas-produced and financed media.

As a sub-category of the Standard Visitor route, Creative Visitors can also undertake other permitted activities, including pre-arranged paid engagements completed within 30 days of arrival.

Intention to Leave the UK and Return to Switzerland

You must prove to the Home Office that you will leave the UK and return to Switzerland after your visit and will not make the UK your main home. Factors considered include:

Previous immigration history.
Financial circumstances and background.
Personal and economic ties to your home country.

Indicators of non-genuine visitors include lack of ties to the home country, having several family members in the UK, previous deceit in immigration applications, and inconsistencies in your statements.

Financial Requirement for Residents of Switzerland

You need sufficient funds to cover your visit costs without working or accessing public funds. Funds must be in a permitted financial institution. A third party may cover your costs if they have a genuine relationship with you and comply with immigration laws.

English Language Requirement for Residents of Switzerland

There is no English language requirement for Creative Visit Visa applicants.

UK Creative Visit Visa Validity Period

A Creative Visit Visa can be valid for 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years. Multiple entries are allowed unless restricted to single or dual entry. Each visit must not exceed 6 months.

Right to Work

Creative Visitors cannot:

Take employment.
Run a business or work as self-employed.
Work for a UK organisation.
Undertake a work placement or internship.
Provide or sell goods/services in the UK.

They can receive payment for performances at festivals on the Permit Free Festival list and may come to the UK for a permitted paid engagement. If you’re doing a permitted paid engagement, you must do it within one month of arriving. You can stay in the UK for up to 6 months, but cannot do any paid engagements after the first month.

Creative Visitors may work remotely if it’s not the primary visit purpose. They can also seek employment and attend job interviews but must leave the UK and obtain appropriate entry clearance if hired.

For working in the UK as a creative artist, consider applying for a Skilled Worker Visa, Global Talent Visa, Temporary Work – Creative Worker Visa, or Permitted Paid Engagement Visa.

UK Visit Visa Application Fees in Switzerland

Up to 6 months: £115
2 years: £432
5 years: £771
10 years: £963

How Our UK Immigration Lawyers in Switzerland Can Help

Through the Swiss office of our UK immigration law firm, we are delighted to offer a comprehensive range of UK immigration legal services to Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) residing in Switzerland.

Our UK visa and immigration services encompass expert guidance on all UK visa routes for Swiss residents, along with a fully-managed UK visa application preparation service tailored for Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) in Switzerland.

Our experienced UK immigration lawyers assist international artists, entertainers, and musicians in Switzerland to secure visas to visit the UK. We offer advice on UK visa applications, help with preparing UK immigration applications, and provide legal representation for challenging visa refusals.

We pride ourselves on our approachable, proactive, and client-focused service, dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice to clients throughout Switzerland.

For expert UK visa advice and assistance, contact our UK Visit Visa lawyers on +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form below.

WE CAN ALSO ASSIST WITH

Applications for Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visas by Swiss and Non-Swiss Residents of Switzerland

The Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visit Visa is available to certain professionals and experts, including artists, entertainers and musicians, who wish to visit the UK for up to 1 month in order to undertake a paid engagement relating to their expertise and occupation.

In order to qualify for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

You are at least 18 years old;
You are a visa national (a non-visa national can normally seek entry as a Visitor on arrival at the UK border);
You intend to do one (or more) of the permitted paid engagements set out in the Immigration Rules;
Your permitted paid engagement is pre-arranged, evidenced by a formal invitation from a UK-based organisation or client and relates to your area of expertise and occupation overseas;
You will not undertake any prohibited activities;
You have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit (including travel, maintenance and accommodation costs) without working or accessing public funds;
You will 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 make the UK your main home;
Your application does not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

Applications for Temporary Work - Creative Worker Visas by Persons Living in Switzerland

The Temporary Work – Creative Worker Visa is for individuals who have been offered short-term work in the UK for up to 12 months within the creative sector.

In order to qualify for a Temporary Work – Creative Worker Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

You have an offer of a job as a creative worker from a sponsor that holds a valid Temporary Work – Creative Worker sponsor licence (which requires a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the role you wish to undertake);
You will be paid the minimum salary as set by Equity, PACT or BECTU (except for models, musicians or circuses);
You genuinely intend, and are able, to undertake the role for which you are being sponsored and do not intend to undertake other employment;
You have personal savings to support yourself in the UK;
Your application does not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal;
You have provided a valid TB certificate, if required.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

Applications for Global Talent Visas by Swiss Residents

The Global Talent Visa is open to talented and promising applicants within the fields of science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology and arts and culture (including film and television, fashion design and architecture) who wish to work in the UK.

In order to qualify for a Global Talent visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

You are aged 18 or over;
You have been issued with an endorsement letter by a Home Office approved endorsing body or have been awarded a prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes;
Your application does not fall under the general grounds for refusal;
You have provided a valid TB certificate, if required.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

Applications for Skilled Worker Visas by Swiss Citizens and Non-Swiss Citizens

The Skilled Worker Visa is open to individuals of all nationalities (except British and Irish) who have an offer of an eligible skilled job in the UK from a Home Office-approved sponsor. The route can lead to settlement and applicants can be joined by dependent partners and children.

In order to qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

You are aged 18 or over;
You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job you are planning to do;
Your job offer is a genuine vacancy;
Your sponsor has paid any required Immigration Skills Charge;
Your job is at an appropriate skill level;
You are competent in the English language to at least CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0);
You will be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both a general salary threshold and the ‘going rate’ for the occupation;
You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds;
You have provided a criminal record certificate, if required; and
You have provided a valid TB certificate, if required.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

Fresh applications and Judicial Reviews for Swiss Residents following Visit Visa refusals

If your application for a Visit Visa has been refused, our immigration barristers can advise on the merits of making a fresh application or challenging the refusal decision.

In many cases, a professionally prepared fresh application will be the quickest and most economical way of securing a Visit Visa following a refusal decision. Our immigration barristers have an excellent track record of securing Visit Visas for clients who have previously been refused a Visit Visa following a self-prepared application.

If the decision to refuse your Visit Visa application was unlawful, unreasonable or procedurally improper, our immigration barristers can advise on merits of applying for Judicial Review of the decision, draft grounds for Judicial Review and provide representation at Judicial Review hearings.