Writers, Composers and Artists
There is provision in the Immigration rules which allows creative people who are self-employed to come to the United Kingdom.
If you have established yourself outside the United Kingdom as a writer, composer or artist primarily engaged in producing original work which has been published (other than exclusively in newspapers or magazines), performed or exhibited for its literary, musical or artistic merit you may be able to come to the United Kingdom under this category of the Immigration Rules.
Your work may be commissioned or you may sell your finished products directly. You may also work under a contract provided that you receive only a fee and are not an employee of the firm.
What are the Requirements for a Writers, Composers and Artists visa?
In order to come to the United Kingdom as a writer, composer or artist you must be able to demonstrate that:
- You are established outside the UK as a writer, composer or artist;
- That you do not intend to work except as a self-employed writer, composer or artist;
- That you have for the proceeding year maintained and accommodated yourself (and any dependants) from your own resources without working except as a writer, composer or artist;
- You are able to maintain and accommodate yourself (and any dependants) from your own resources without working (except as a writer, composer or artist) and without recourse to public funds in the UK.
Writers:
Writers are defined as authors, essayists, playwrights, poets and freelance journalists who have established themselves as literary figures, for example, by having work published in book form.
Composers:
Composers are defined as composers of music. If you wish to perform someone else’s work in the United Kingdom or perform as part of a band you would require a Work Permit.
Artists:
Artists are defined as painters, sculptures, photographers of international artistic standing and cartoonists and illustrators whose work has been published or exhibited for its artistic merit.
How is the Application Made?
It is mandatory that you obtain an Entry Clearance Visa from a British Embassy or High Commission abroad before coming to the United Kingdom in this category. There is a fee for this application. The Application is made on an application form and the person will have to prove that meet the requirements listed above.
What Sort of Permission to Remain in the UK will I be Granted?
If your application is successful you will normally be given permission to enter the United Kingdom for twenty four months and you will be subject to a condition restricting your freedom to take employment.
Your husband or wife or any dependant children, if you have them, will normally be given permission to come to the United Kingdom with you provided you can show that you have sufficient resources to support them without taking employment or claiming public funds.
Towards the end of your initial 24 month period you can then apply for further permission to stay in the United Kingdom provided you are still able to meet the requirements listed above. You will normally be given further Leave to Remain for a period not exceeding three years and you will still be restricted in your ability to take employment.
Once you have spent a continuous period of five years in the United Kingdom in this capacity and can show you have met the requirements throughout the five year period you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain.