Tier 5 (Temporary worker - creative and sporting)
Certificate of sponsorship
This page explains the points we award for sponsorship under the creative and sporting worker category (Tier 5 Temporary Worker) of the points-based system to work in the UK.
On this page
Full details of all requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraphs 245ZM - 245ZR of part 6 which you can find on the right of this page. You must read the policy guidance before you apply under this category. You can download the guidance and application form from the Applying section.
The points awarded for sponsorship
You will score 30 points for your certificate of sponsorship.
Sportspeople certificates of sponsorship
Your sponsor must have an endorsement from an appropriate governing body before they can issue you with a certificate of sponsorship. The endorsement confirms that:
- you are internationally established at the highest level; and or
- your employment will make a significant contribution to the development and running of your sport at the highest level in the UK; and
- the job could not be filled by a suitably settled worker.
Creative workers certificates of sponsorship
If you or your entourage are in dance, theatre, film or television either as a performer or worker, your sponsor must follow the specific code of practice. Find the code of practice for dance, theatre, film or television.
When issuing your certificate of sponsorship, your sponsor must confirm you:
- want to come to the United Kingdom to work or perform in the relevant sector;
- are not planning on setting up a business in the UK;
- pose no threat to the resident labour market;
- will comply with the conditions of your permission to stay.
If you have multiple engagements or performances
If you need to perform at a number of engagements possibly at a number of different venues, your sponsor can give you a single certificate of sponsorship to cover all your engagements as long as there are no more than 14 calendar days in between each engagement.
If you are sponsored by a number of different venues, producers or promoters, each of them can give you a certificate of sponsorship to cover their show(s) only. The period given in each certificate sponsorship should not overlap, and there must be no more than 14 calendar days in between each engagement. We will give you permission to stay to cover the total time of all your certificates of sponsorship.
If there is a gap of more than 14 calendar days between your engagements, you must leave the UK and apply again.
See Working and conditions for more information about the conditions of your stay.
Group certificates of sponsorship
If you are staff (entourage) of a performer or a member of a group, you will be part of a group certificate of sponsorship, but your sponsor will give you your own certificate of sponsorship number.
Staff (entourage) means people whose work is directly related to your job as an entertainer, cultural artist, or sports person, who have proven technical or other specialist skills.
You must also pass the points-based assessment.
Terms explained
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Resident labour market test
This is the process an employer must follow before employing a person who is not a permanent resident of the United Kingdom if he/she is first required to show that no resident worker could be found to take a job.
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Settled
You are normally resident in the United Kingdom with no immigration restriction on the length of your stay. To be free of immigration restriction you must have the right of abode or indefinite leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom.