UK Creative Worker Visa

UK CREATIVE WORKER VISA FOR SWISS RESIDENTS

The UK Creative Worker Visa is available to Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) residing in Switzerland who have been offered short-term work in the UK’s creative sector for up to 12 months.

A creative worker includes actors, dancers, musicians, entertainers, fashion models, or film crew who can make a unique contribution to the UK’s creative industries. Technical or support staff (‘entourage’) may also accompany eligible creative workers from Switzerland.

While this visa does not lead to settlement, it can be extended up to a maximum of two years with the same employer. UK Creative Worker Visa holders can be joined by a dependent partner and children under 18.

Requirements for a UK Creative Worker Visa for Swiss Nationals (and non-Swiss Nationals) in Switzerland

To qualify for a UK Creative Worker Visa from Switzerland, you must meet the following criteria set by UK Visas and Immigration:

Job Offer: Have a job offer in the UK as a creative worker from a UK sponsor with a valid Temporary Work – Creative Worker sponsor licence and a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the role.
Salary: Be paid the minimum salary set by Equity, PACT, or BECTU (except for models, musicians, or circuses).
Intention: Genuinely intend to undertake the sponsored role and not seek other employment.
Financial: Have sufficient personal savings to support yourself in the UK.
General Grounds: Your application must not fall for refusal under general grounds.

The specific requirements may vary based on individual circumstances. Consult a specialist UK immigration lawyer in Switzerland for expert advice.

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

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirement for Creative Workers in Switzerland

Before Swiss passport holders (and non-Swiss passport holders) can apply for a UK Creative Worker Visa, a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office-approved UK sponsor in the creative sector is required. Sponsors include national arts bodies, event organisers, producers, venues, agents, promoters, production companies, and media organisations in the UK.

When issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship, your UK sponsor will confirm that:

You will comply with the relevant Creative Worker Code of Practice (if applicable).
Your role appears on the shortage occupation list.
They have considered the resident labour market and determined the role could not be filled by a settled worker.

Sponsors can issue individual or group certificates of sponsorship for performers and their entourage, which includes individuals with proven technical or specialist skills directly related to the employment of an entertainer, cultural artist, or dramatic production.

Financial Requirement for Residents of Switzerland

If you are a resident of Switzerland applying for a UK Creative Worker Visa, you will need at least £1,270 in your bank account, held for at least 28 days, ending not more than 31 days before your application, unless you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months or your sponsor confirms they will cover your costs for the first month.

English Language Requirement for Swiss Residents

Swiss residents do not need to satisfy an English language requirement in order to obtain a UK Creative Worker Visa.

UK Creative Worker Visa Duration of Stay

Successful applicants from Switzerland can stay in the UK for up to 12 months or the period stated on their Certificate of Sponsorship plus up to 14 days before and after, whichever is shorter.

Extensions of Stay in the UK

If you hold a UK Creative Worker Visa, you may extend your stay with the same UK sponsor for up to a total of 24 months. Changing employers limits your stay to a maximum of 12 months. Those entering the UK under the Creative Worker Visa Border Concession for up to 3 months cannot extend their stay.

Settlement in the UK

The Creative Worker Visa does not allows Swiss citizens (or non-Swiss citizens) to settle permanently in the UK. However, Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) may switch to another immigration route that leads to indefinite leave to remain.

Switching Into the Creative Worker Route

If you are from Switzerland and you are already in the UK with permission, switching into the Creative Worker route from within the UK is generally not permitted. The only exception is for those assigned a valid CoS on or before November 8, 2022, and who subsequently had permission as a Standard Visitor or Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor.

Conditions of Stay

Once your UK Creative Worker Visa application has been approved and you are in the UK, you may work for your UK sponsor in the job specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship. You may also take a second job in the same sector and level as your main job for up to 20 hours per week or a job on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list for up to 20 hours per week.

Creative Worker Visa Border Concession

Non-visa nationals (e.g., EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens) with a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for engagements of 3 months or less may travel to the UK without a visa and request permission to enter at the UK border. Swiss (and EU) citizens relying on this concession should note, however, that they will need to apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (UKETA) prior to travel.

UK Visa Processing Times in Switzerland

Most UK visa applications submitted in Switzerland are processed within 3 weeks. Faster decisions may be available through priority services. Extensions typically take 8 weeks, with priority and super priority services available for quicker decisions.

Dependants

Swiss (and non-Swiss) Creative Worker Visa holders can be joined by a dependent partner and children under 18.

Refusals

If your UK Creative Worker Visa application is refused, you may submit a fresh application from Switzerland or request an Administrative Review.

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 team assists creative workers and their entourage across various disciplines. We can ensure you meet your start date and that your career progression aligns with your immigration goals.

We provide clear, reliable immigration advice and support to residents of Switzerland as part of a professional and friendly service. Contact us on +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form.

WE CAN ALSO ASSIST WITH

Applications for Creative Visit Visas by Swiss and non-Swiss Residents of Switzerland

The Creative Visit Visa is for amateur and professional artists, entertainers and musicians (and their personal and technical staff) who wish to visit the UK to undertake permitted unpaid creative activities for a period of up to 6 months.

In order to qualify for a Creative Visit Visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that

You are a visa national (a non-visa national can normally seek entry as a Visitor on arrival at the UK border);
You are genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes;
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 Permitted Paid Engagement Visas by Swiss Citizens and non-Swiss Citizens

The Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visit Visa is available to certain professionals and experts 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 Global Talent Visas by Swiss Nationals and non-Swiss Nationals

The Global Talent visa is for talented and promising individuals in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology and arts and culture wishing to work in the UK.

The Global Talent immigration category is open to talented and promising applicants within the science, engineering, medicine, social sciences and humanities, digital technology and arts and culture (including film and television, fashion design and architecture) sectors.

Fields of arts and culture covered include: combined arts, dance, literature, music, theatre or visual arts. architecture, fashion design. film and television, including animation, post production and visual effects.

‘Talent’ applicants will already be leaders in their respective field, while ‘promise’ applicants will be able to show the potential to become leaders in their field.

The Global Talent category is not subject to a cap on the number of applicants, does not require a job offer and can lead to settlement in the UK.

Applications for Skilled Worker Visas by Residents of Switzerland

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 secure a Skilled Worker Visa you will need to be sponsored to do a specific job, which meets certain skill and salary requirements, by an employer that has been licensed by the Home Office.

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, Administrative Reviews and Judicial Reviews for Temporary Workers From Switzerland

If your application for entry clearance or leave to remain as a Temporary Worker has been refused, our immigration barristers can advise on the merits of making a fresh application or challenging the decision.

If the decision-maker failed to apply the Immigration Rules or Home Office policy correctly, we can bring Administrative Review proceedings to challenge the decision.

If the decision to refuse your application was unlawful, unreasonable or procedurally improper, our immigration barristers can apply for Judicial Review and provide representation at Judicial Review hearings.