Temporary Work visa (Creative Worker): Indian citizen in United States → United Kingdom
Indian citizens living in the United States need a UK Temporary Work visa (Creative Worker) — apply online on gov.uk and give biometrics at a UK visa application centre in the United States.
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 United States
- 38 centre locations nationwide plus premium centres (VFS directory, captured 2026-06-11). Ten are full-service Mon–Fri: New York, Washington DC, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Seattle; the rest (Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Portland, Philadelphia and more) run limited schedules.
- With this density, comparing two or three cities usually finds a near-term slot.
- No recent public wait-time reports found for the US — the band below is general guidance.
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
Because you live in the USA, you apply at a UK Visa Application Centre in the US — not in your home country. There are UK visa application centres in 30+ US cities (including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and Seattle). Use the official VFS US centre directory (linked below) to find and book the one nearest you.
- UK Visa Application Centres — United States — serves 30+ locations across the US — find and book your nearest
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.