Temporary Work visa (Creative Worker): Indian citizen in India → United Kingdom
Indian creative workers offered short-term work in the UK apply online for a Temporary Work - Creative Worker visa with a certificate of sponsorship, prove their identity, and usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
Lets you come to the UK to work in the creative sector if you've been offered work as a creative worker, have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed sponsor, and meet the other eligibility requirements.
- Validity
- You can come to the UK for a maximum of up to 12 months, or the time given in your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 28 days, whichever is shorter.
- Entries
- Multiple entry for the duration of your visa.
- Max stay per visit
- Up to 12 months, or the time given in your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 28 days, whichever is shorter.
When to start
Start 30 days–2 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in India
- Delhi & Mumbai: usually 1–2 weeks for a slot; peak season can stretch towards 4 weeks.
- Tier-2 centres (Pune, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad) often have earlier slots — a train ticket can beat the wait.
- The New Delhi centre relocated in early 2026 — confirm the current address on the official VFS site before you go.
- Applicants report slots opening 7–21 days out in normal months — book the moment you pay your fee.
You must apply for a Temporary Work - Creative Worker visa if you've been offered work in the UK as a creative worker and you meet the other eligibility requirements.
You need a licensed sponsor to give you a certificate of sponsorship before you can apply to work in the UK.
You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK, and you will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row.
You must apply online for a Temporary Work - Creative Worker visa. The application fee for each person applying is £340.
You'll either use the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app to scan your identity document, or have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre.
You'll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks if you're outside the UK.
What you'll need
- Certificate of sponsorship reference number — Your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this. ✓ verified
- Valid passport — A valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality. ✓ verified
- Proof of personal savings — Evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK, for example bank statements (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you). ✓ verified· your certificate of sponsorship does not show your employer can support you
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results — Your tuberculosis test results if you're from a country where you have to take the test (this includes India). ✓ verified· you're from a country where you have to take the test
Where you'll apply
Apply online on gov.uk, then prove your identity — either using the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app or by giving biometrics at a UK visa application centre in India.
Fees
| Temporary Work - Creative Worker visa | GBP 340 |
Gotchas to watch
- You need a licensed sponsor to give you a certificate of sponsorship before you can apply to work in the UK.
- You can come to the UK for a maximum of up to 12 months, or the time given in your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 28 days, whichever is shorter.