The United Kingdom’s (UK’s) Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for all non-visa nationals allows short stays of up to six months. It also allows creative workers to come to the UK for up to three months under the Creative Worker Visa Concession.
How can a creative worker qualify and use an ETA when coming to the UK? Here, we explain the basics.
Creative Worker Visa vs. Creative Worker Visa Concession
| Creative Worker Visa | Creative Worker Visa Concession | |
| Eligibility | Non-visa nationals and visa-required nationals | Non-visa nationals |
| Length of stay | 12 months, or as long as the duration of work indicated in the Certificate of Sponsorship, whichever is shorter; with an option to extend | 3 months; without an option to extend to switch to another type of temporary visa or Skilled worker visa. |
| Application process | Must visit a consulate or visa center to submit requirements | Entirely online for an ETA |
| Cost | £298 + £1,035 per year of Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £10 for an ETA |
| Requirements | Valid passport Certificate of Sponsorship Proof of financial capacity Proof of at least minimum salary and weekly work hours as set by the UK, Tuberculosis test if coming from a country that requires it | Valid passport Certificate of Sponsorship Proof of financial capacity Proof of at least minimum salary and weekly work hours as set by the UK |
| Processing Time | Three to eight weeks | More or less three days for an ETA |
The main differences between the Creative Worker visa and the Creative Worker Visa Concession lie in the worker’s passport and length of stay.
The Creative Worker visa covers both visa-required and non-visa creative workers. It allows them to stay and work in the UK for 12 months or the duration indicated in their Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), whichever is shorter.
A Creative Worker Visa Concession applies only to non-visa creatives or those who do not need a visa to visit the UK. Being a non-visa national makes them eligible for an ETA. The visa concession allows them to work and stay in the UK for only three months.
For non-visa creative workers, the Creative Worker Visa Concession is a much faster route than applying for a visa, which could take at least three weeks.
Both are intended for those intending to work in the creative field in the UK. The UK Home Office defines a creative worker as someone who can distinctly contribute to the creative industries in the UK.
These include roles such as acting, dancing, music, film, arts, literature, translation, presenting, producing, directing, photography, and more. Technical or support staff may also accompany eligible creative workers.
What the Creative Worker visa concession allows or does not allow while in the UK
| Allowed | Not Allowed | |
| Work as a creative as indicated in the Certificate of Sponsorship | ✔ | |
| Take on a second job in the same industry or Skilled Worker Immigration Salary List for 20 hours per week | ✔ | |
| Study | ✔ | |
| Bring family with them. | ✔ | |
| Access public funds. | ✔ | |
| Start a business. | ✔ | |
| Extend their stay | ✔ |
Both the Creative Worker visa and the Creative Worker Visa Concession allow individuals to work for their sponsor in the job specified in CoS.
Creative workers can also take on a second job for up to 20 hours per week. This second job could be within the same industry and at the same level as their main job. It could also be a role included in the Skilled Worker Immigration Salary List.
They can also study during their stay. Some courses, however, may require them to have an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate.
Creative workers may bring their family, such as their partner or kids, to the UK if they meet the eligibility criteria.
However, those under the Creative Worker visa concession cannot have access to public funds or start their own businesses.
Creative workers with a visa can extend their stay, while those under the visa concession cannot. They are also not allowed to switch to another temporary work visa or a Skilled Worker visa.
How to qualify for the Creative Worker Visa Concession
To qualify under the Creative Worker Visa Concession, an individual must meet the eligibility criteria for the Creative Worker visa, ETA passport eligibility, and length of stay.
Below is a list of all qualifications for the Creative Worker visa concession.
You must have a job offer to work temporarily in the UK as a creative.
A creative worker must have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). This electronic document proves they have a job offer from a UK company. It contains a reference number and information about the creative worker and the job they will be performing in the UK.
You are coming to work in the UK for three months or less.
The Creative Worker visa concession is only valid for temporary work for a maximum of three months in the UK.
You do not usually need a visa to enter the UK as a visitor.
These are creative workers whose passports are issued by a country with visa waiver status with the UK. They do not need a visa but require an ETA to come to the UK.
You will receive a minimum salary set by Equity, PACT, or BECTU.
Except for models, musicians, and circus workers, creative workers must receive a minimum income set by Equity, PACT, or BECTU.
Equity is the UK’s performing arts and entertainment trade union. PACT is the UK screen sector trade body that represents and supports independent production and distribution companies.
BECTU, on the other hand, is the Broadcasting Entertainment Communications and Theatre Union, which comprises workers in the media and entertainment industry.
You must have the financial means to support yourself in the UK.
A creative worker must have at least £1,270 available for 28 days within 31 days of applying for the visa. This is typically evidenced through a bank account statement.
Creative workers whose CoS indicates that their employer will cover their first month in the UK do not have to meet this requirement.
Those bringing their families must also prove their family’s financial capacity to support themselves in the UK.
Arriving in the UK with an ETA under the Creative Worker Visa Concession
It’s crucial for creative workers traveling to the UK under the Creative Worker Visa Concession to see an immigration officer upon arrival.
Creatives will not be allowed to work if they use electronic passport gates (eGates) upon entry into the UK.
An immigration officer must check a creative worker’s requirements at the border. This means presenting their passport to check if they are non-visa nationals and if they have a valid ETA.
The immigration officer must also verify whether the creative worker’s COS is valid. The officer will also check if they have the means to support themselves during their stay in the UK.
For creative workers’ dependants, the immigration officer will also check proof of their relationship.
If everything is in order, the immigration officer will stamp the creative workers’ passports.
Creative workers arriving in the UK via Ireland must have remote clearance.
Creative workers traveling to the UK from Ireland on the Creative Worker Visa Concession must apply for remote clearance at least 72 hours before their arrival.
The Creative Worker visa concession: Immigration Clearance Form may be completed online and submitted to the Border Force email inbox BFTier5C@homeoffice.gov.uk.
If the creative worker is granted leave to enter the UK, the border officer will review the application and endorse the form. The creative worker must keep the form with your passport as proof of permission to stay in the UK.