Temporary workers - creative and sporting
Initial applications
This page explains how you can make your initial application (this includes switching) to the creative and sporting worker category (Tier 5 Temporary Worker) of our points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.
On this page
Read eligibility first to make sure you meet the requirements to apply.
How to apply if you are already in the United Kingdom
You can only apply from inside the United Kingdom if you are switching in to the creative and sporting category if you came to the United Kingdom as a sports or entertainer visitor, and before you entered the United Kingdom, your sponsor gave you a certificate of sponsorship for this category. You can use the certificate to apply to switch.
The process for applying is:
- do a self-assessment online using our points-based calculator, which you can find on the right of this page, to find out if you are likely to score enough points.
- fill in the application form for the creative and sporting worker category.
- send it to us with your fee and supporting evidence.
You must send all supporting documents with your application as we will not use any evidence sent in after we have made a decision.
If you are sending any dependant applications at the same time as your own application, we encourage you to send your application and dependant applications in the same envelope.
How to apply if you are outside the United Kingdom
The process for applying if you are outside the United Kingdom is:
1: do a self-assessment online using our points-based calculator, which you can find on the right side of this page, to find out if you are likely to score enough points.
2: go to the visa services website, which you can find on the right of this page, to find out if you must give any personal information in the country you are applying from electronically, and to find the application form.
3: take or send your form(s), fee and supporting evidence to the visa application centre. You must also arrange to give your biometrics, which are usually taken at the visa application centre.
You must bring all supporting documents with your application, as we will not use any evidence given after we have made a decision.
How to apply from the Channel Islands or Isle of Man
The Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and Alderney) and the Isle of Man have their own immigration laws and policies, separate to those of the United Kingdom. For immigration control, we treat these islands as outside the United Kingdom.
If you are living within the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, and have been given permission to come or stay (also known as entry clearance or leave tor emain) there by one of the island authorities, you will not be able to make an application for permission to stay in the United Kingdom directly from the islands.
You can apply in two ways. These are:
- by returning to the country where you are normally resident (your home country) and applying for permission come to the United Kingdom (also known as entry clearance) from there; or
- if your permission to come or stay on one of the islands is still current, you can come directly to the United Kingdom.
Once you are in the United Kingdom, you may apply to switch as long as the immigration category that you were given permission to come or stay on the islands is one that the United Kingdom immigration law allows you to switch into. This is because, once you have travelled to the United Kingdom, we are able to treat the permission given to you under the island laws as if it had been given by the United Kingdom authorities.
See Switching for more information on the categories you can switch from. You must make your application to switch before your current permission to stay in the islands runs out.
Some overseas nationals living on the islands must get a visa (also known as entry clearance) before travelling to the United Kingdom. You can find these in the immigration directorate instructions, Chapter 1, Section 2, which you can find on the right side of this page.
If you are coming under the creative and sporting category of tier 5 for less than three months
If you want to come to the United Kingdom you must get permission to come before you arrive. Unless you are a non-visa national are want to come under the creative and sporting category of tier 5 for less than three months.
You do not need to fill in an application form or pay a fee. You must give your certificate of sponsorship reference number and evidence of your maintenance (funds) to the immigration officer when you arrive in the United Kingdom. See what supporting evidence for maintenance you must bring.
The immigration officer may take some time to process your application and if you do not have the right evidence of your maintenance, your application may be refused and you will not be allowed to enter the United Kingdom.
You should have contact details for your sponsor when you arrive in case we need to confirm your certificate of sponsorship with them.
Application forms
Tier 5 temporary worker - for applications made inside the United Kingdom
- Application form for Tier 5 temporary workers. Valid from 1 October 2009PDF 859KB opens in a new window
- Tier 5 temporary worker of the points-based system - policy guidancePDF 416KB opens in a new window
Terms explained
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Biometric
Biometrics is the science of using digital technology to recognise a person from a physical characteristic (for example a fingerprint or iris pattern of the eye) or another unique personal characteristic (for example a voice pattern or handwriting). These characteristics are your biometric details.