Creative Visit
Artists, entertainers and musicians can carry out certain unpaid activities under visitor rules. Paid gigs require other routes.
Validity
- Stay up to 6 months per visit
- Single-entry or multi-entry visas available
At a glance
- Exhibit, audition, perform or attend events unpaid
- Join festivals, showcases or creative meetings
- Paid work requires a PPE or Creative Worker visa
About the visa
The Creative Visit Visa (part of the UK Standard Visitor rules) allows overseas artists, entertainers and creative professionals to take part in certain unpaid cultural and creative activities in the UK.
It is designed for short visits where you are not being paid for your work. If you are coming for a paid performance or commercial activity, you will usually need the Permitted Paid Engagement Visa or the Creative Worker Visa.
Eligibility & permitted activities
To qualify, you must be a genuine visitor who will leave at the end of your stay, and you must have sufficient funds and accommodation. Activities must be unpaid and fall within the permitted scope:
- Artists exhibiting their work at galleries or exhibitions
- Musicians or performers taking part in unpaid festivals, showcases or competitions
- Filmmakers attending screenings, workshops or film festivals
- Authors, speakers or designers promoting their work without receiving payment
- Creative professionals attending auditions, meetings or interviews
What you can / cannot do
You can
- Exhibit, audition or promote your work on an unpaid basis
- Attend creative industry events, workshops or competitions
- Meet with UK publishers, producers, agents or collaborators
You cannot
- Accept payment or a salary from a UK organisation
- Undertake commercial performances or paid events
- Take up employment or freelance work in the UK
- Switch into another visa category while in the UK
Process
A typical application involves:
- Apply online through GOV.UK and pay the fee (£115 for up to 6 months)
- Biometrics: book and attend a visa application centre appointment
- Submit supporting documents, which usually include:
- Passport/travel document
- Letter of invitation from the UK event organiser, gallery or host
- Letter from your overseas employer/agent confirming the unpaid nature of your activities
- Evidence of funds and accommodation
- Travel plans (e.g. return flight booking)
- Decision: normally 2–3 weeks (priority services may be available)
Common refusal reasons
- Invitation letters that do not clearly state activities are unpaid
- Insufficient evidence of funds or ties to home country
- Applying for an activity that actually requires a paid visa route (e.g. ticketed concert)
- Unclear or missing supporting documents from organiser or employer
