How do I sponsor a migrant worker?
Tier 5 - creative and sporting workers
This page explains the requirements you must meet to get a licence and sponsor migrants under the tier 5 - creative and sporting workers category of the points-based system to work.
On this page
How to get a licence for the creative category
To get a licence for creative workers and their entourage, you must be operating, or intend to operate, in the creative industries. For example, as a national body, event organiser, producer, venue, agent or other similar organisation. Where applicable, you must follow the codes of practice when taking into account the needs of the resident labour market in that field. Find the Codes of practice for the creative sector.
Requirements for sponsoring a migrant in the creative category
Due to the nature of this sector, at times a migrant may need to perform a number of engagements at various venues. If the migrant has only one sponsor (for example an agent) for all their engagements, and there is no more than a maximum of 14 calendar days between each engagement, the sponsor can issue a single certificate of sponsorship to cover the whole period. However, if the migrant is sponsored by the individual venues, producers or promoters, then each sponsor should issue a certificate of sponsorship to cover its own show. These certificates of sponsorship must not overlap.
How to get a licence for the sporting category
To get a licence as a sponsor of sports people, you must be a sporting body, sports club, events organiser or other organiser operating, or intending to operate in the sporting sector.
An agent cannot be a sponsor under this category.
Requirements for sponsoring a migrant in the sporting category
This category is for:
- sportspeople who are internationally established at the highest level in their sport; and/or
- sportspeople whose employment will make a significant contribution to the development of their sport in the UK.
All sponsors in this category must have an endorsement from the governing body for their sport. If your sport does not have a governing body recognised by a sports council, please email PBSsportpolicy@ukba.gsi.gov.uk. We will consult the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Central Council of Physical Recreation and/or other sports councils to find out if there is an appropriate body that could act as the governing body recognised by us. In giving its approval, the governing body confirms that you are a genuine club (or equivalent), and you have a legitimate need to bring migrants to the UK as sportspeople.
Terms explained
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Certificate of sponsorship
A 'virtual document' assigned by an employer (which must be a licensed sponsor) to a migrant. The migrant must quote the certificate's reference number when applying for permission to work in the UK under Tier 2 or Tier 5 of the points-based system.
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European Economic Area
The European Economic Area (EEA) consists of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Although Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU), their citizens have the same rights as EU citizens to enter, live in and work in the UK.
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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.