Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting Visa (T5)

Are you a Sports Person or Creative Worker who has been offered to work in the UK? 

If your answer is ‘Yes’ to the question above, you are required to apply for a Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting Visa (T5) in order to work in the UK.

However, if you only intend to work in the UK for 3 months or less, you may be able to use the Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting Visa (T5) Concession instead of applying for a Visa.

Your family members or dependents will be able to accompany you to the UK on this Visa.

What Are The Eligibility Requirements To Apply For A Temporary Worker – Creative And Sporting Visa (T5)?

The eligibility requirements to apply for a Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting Visa (T5) depend on whether you have been offered work in the UK as a Sports Person or as a Creative Worker.

Eligibility Requirements for a Sports Person

In order to be eligible for a Temporary Worker Visa as a Sports Person, you must:

  • Have an eligible job offer from a UK employer that has been approved by the Home Office;
  • Have an assigned Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK employer that has been approved by the Home Office;
  • Have an endorsement from the appropriate Sports Governing Body;
  • Be internationally established at the highest level in your sport;
  • Be able to make a significant contribution to the development and operation of your sport in the UK;
  • Genuinely intend to undertake the role described in your Certificate of Sponsorship;
  • Not be a Visa National; 
  • Have enough funds to maintain yourself and your dependents in the UK unless your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK up to £1,270.00;
  • Provide a valid medical certificate confirming that you have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis if you are travelling to the UK from a country listed in Appendix T of the Immigration Rules.

Eligibility Requirements for a Creative Worker

In order to be eligible for a Temporary Worker Visa as a Creative Worker, you must:

  • Be able to make a unique contribution to the UK’s rich cultural life;
  • Have an eligible job offer from a UK employer that has been approved by the Home Office;
  • Have an assigned Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK employer that has been approved by the Home Office;
  • Genuinely intend to undertake the role described in your Certificate of Sponsorship; 
  • Not be a Visa National;
  • Have enough funds to maintain yourself and your dependents in the UK unless your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK up to £1,270.00;
  • Provide a valid medical certificate confirming that you have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis if you are travelling to the UK from a country listed in Appendix T of the Immigration Rules.

A Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic record which contains a reference number which is required for your Visa Application. Once your UK employer assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship to you, your Application for a Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting Visa (T5) must be submitted no later than 3 months from the date of assignment. 

How Long Can I Be In The Uk On This Visa Category?

If your Application for a Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting Visa (T5) is approved, you will be granted with an initial period of leave for 12 months or the period of engagement stated in your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days before and after – whichever is shorter. 

The maximum time permitted on this Visa category is 12 months if you are changing employer OR 24 months if you are still with the same employer. 

This Visa category does not lead to Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) in the UK.

Interested To Find Out More?

Our business immigration lawyers can work with you throughout the lifecycle of your Temporary Worker – Creative and Sporting Visa (T5), ensuring that you are in a position to successfully apply for an extension.  

Garth Coates Solicitors is one of London’s most respected immigration law firms.  We have helped many talented Sports persons and Creative Workers with their initial and extension Applications for their Visas. Our founding partner, Garth Coates, spent many years working in the Home Office as an Immigration Caseworker. This experience has given him a unique understanding as to what immigration decision-makers are looking for when approving Visa Applications.

Established in 2008, Garth Coates Solicitors is a leading Immigration Law Firm that can provide professional legal advice to ensure that your Application satisfies the strict requirements of the Immigration Rules

Our team of legal professionals offers comprehensive and considered advice to enable our clients to make informed choices. We strongly believe that our clients deserve the best; we take our responsibilities very seriously to ensure that client satisfaction is achieved by providing a professional yet friendly legal service. We aim to resolve all immigration matters brought to us by working diligently and together with our clients, keeping them informed of the progress of their case at all stages. Our outstanding success rate is maintained thanks to the high standard of our work.

If you would like us to assist you with your Immigration Matter, kindly click here to leave us an Enquiry. Alternatively, we can be reached via telephone at (00 44) (0)20 7799 1600 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (UTC+00.00 London) every Monday to Friday.