UK Artist Visa: Visit and Work Visas for Artists

The UK has a rich culture with world-renowned museums, operas, art galleries and many other artistic elements. Tate Modern and the National Gallery are the most famous institutions in the UK that host many exhibitions. The Lowry is a registered charity that presents theatre, opera, music, dance, comedy and visual arts to audiences in the UK. In the UK, artists are given a variety of opportunities to participate in competitions, auditions, workshops, individual or group performances, and cultural events or festivals.

A UK artist visa is a visa required for artists who will visit the UK for the purpose of attending cultural events such as concerts, workshops, promotional activities and festivals. A UK artist visa can refer to several different types of visas, depending on the type and length of activity undertaken.

Artists who will be in the UK for a short period of time or for a single event must choose one of the visitor visa types. Artists who will be in paid employment in the UK or who will be staying for more than 6 months must choose one of the work visa types.

What Visa Do Artists Going to the UK Need?

The types of visas that artists who will travel to the UK for less than 6 months and for visit purposes can obtain are listed below.

UK visiting artist visa
UK paid visit visa

The types of visas available to artists who will travel to the UK for work purposes and for longer than 6 months are listed below.

UK temporary work visa (Tier 5 creative worker category)
UK skilled worker visa (Tier 2 skilled worker category)
UK global talent visa (Tier 1 culture and arts category)

Who is Granted a UK Visiting Artist Visa?

A UK visiting artist visa is granted to individuals who will stay in the UK for less than 6 months and participate in a cultural and artistic event such as a festival, concert, performance. Artists and musicians who will perform individually or in groups, participate in competitions and auditions, give personal shows, take part in promotional activities, participate in workshops, and take part in cultural activities and festivals in the UK can obtain a UK artist visa.

Who is Granted a UK Artist Work Visa?

The UK artist work visa is granted to artists such as dancers, choreographers, circus workers, musicians, writers, photographers, arts officers, producers and directors who will stay in the UK for more than 6 months and work in a paid job in the field of culture and arts.

Travelling to the UK as an artist does not require a sponsor for visits. Artists travelling to the UK for work purposes must obtain a sponsorship certificate from a sponsor in the UK.

How to Apply for a UK Artist Visa?

UK artist visa applications are made online via the Gov.Uk application portal for all artist visa types. To apply for a UK artist visa, you must first learn the documents that need to be prepared from the UK Visas and Immigration section of the Gov.Uk website, and fill out the online application form.

visa application fee payment and an appointment at the visa application center must be made. In the UK artist visa appointment, if the online upload has not been made at the intermediary institution visa center, document delivery, passport delivery and biometric data recording are made. Fingerprints and photographs are taken for the purpose of recording biometric data and after the procedures are completed, the application is forwarded to the UK Visas and Immigration Office for evaluation.

In UK artist visa applications made with the consultancy of rsscanadaimmigration.com, online document uploading, petition and appointment procedures are completed by expert country consultants.

What are the UK Visa Documents for Artists?

UK visa documents for artists are listed below.

UK tourist visa application form: Must be completed completely and online from the Gov.Uk website.
Biometric photo : Must be taken within the last 6 months, 35 mm x 45 mm in size, in color.
Passport: Must contain at least 1 blank page and be valid for at least 3 months after the travel end date.
Proof of financial means to cover living expenses during your stay in the UK. Bank statements or pay slips for the last six months can be provided.
Accommodation details: Proof of where you will be staying in the UK must be provided. The identity and address of the person paying for the hotel reservation or travel expenses in the UK, or the identity and passport number of any relative living in the UK may be provided.
Detailed travel itinerary: A travel plan must be submitted that includes information such as places to visit in the UK, tours booked, meeting or festival agenda, and departure and return dates.
Previous travel history: Travel history for the last 10 years can be proven with visas and entry/exit border stamps in current and old passports.
Details of residential address: Documentation must be submitted showing the applicant’s residential address in their home country and how long they have lived there.
Invitation letter: Although an invitation letter is not mandatory, it is an element that strengthens the application. It must be written in English and addressed to the consulate by a person living in the UK.
Visa fee: The visa fee must be paid during the online application.
Criminal record: It can be obtained via e-government.

The documents listed above are valid for artists who will be visiting the UK for less than 6 months, and those who will be staying for more than 6 months must obtain a sponsorship certificate from an approved organisation in the UK for their visa applications. The documents required may vary depending on the visa type.

How Much Does a UK Artist Visa Cost?

The UK artist visa fee varies depending on the type and duration of the visa applied for. The UK visitor artist visa application fee is £100, the UK temporary work visa (Tier 5) application fee for artists who will be working in the UK for more than 6 months is £259, the UK skilled worker visa (Tier 2) application fee is £625, and the UK global talent visa application fee is £623.

When Will the UK Artist Visa Application Be Finalized?

UK artist visa application is finalized within 3 weeks after the online application, identification and submission of the required documents. UK artist visa application may take longer if supporting documents need to be verified or if the applicant is invited to a visa interview and in such cases the applicant is contacted.

Can Foreign Artists Work in the UK?

Foreign artists do not have the right to work in any paid or unpaid work in the UK if they enter on a visitor visa. Artists who come to the UK on a long-term work visa are entitled to work for the organisation that provides them with a certificate of sponsorship.

Can I Settle in the UK with an Artist Visa?

It is possible to settle in the UK with an artist visa, depending on the type of visa you have.

Holders of a UK skilled work visa or a UK global talent visa, which are types of artist visas, can apply for an indefinite UK settlement visa if they have resided in the UK for 3 to 5 years, depending on the visa type, and meet certain conditions.

Can I Start a Business in the UK with a UK Artist Visa?

The right to establish a business in the UK with a UK artist visa is only granted to UK talent visa holders. Those who go to the UK with a UK talent visa can establish a profitable artistic business such as a theatre stage, dance school, music studio, photography workshop.

Those who go to the UK with a visiting artist visa or a skilled worker visa can apply for a UK business establishment visa, which has subcategories such as start-up visa and innovator visa, provided that they meet the necessary conditions to establish a business.