The Writers, Composers, and Artists Visa category has been discontinued. The category has been replaced with the Tier 1 (General) Highly Skilled visa programme. To find out if you are eligible, try our quick Tier 1 (General) points calculator.
Under this visa, it is possible for writers, composers, and artists who are able to support themselves through their profession to live in the UK. This visa is issued for two years initially.
Eligibility
To qualify you must have already established yourself outside the UK. You must already have work published, or performed or exhibited your work for its literary, artistic, or musical merit.
You must have already supported yourself and any dependants for at least one year, through your chosen profession, and once you are in the UK you must intend to work only as a self-employed writer, composer, or artist.
Authors, cartoonists, essayists, established freelance journalists, illustrators, music composers, painters, photographers, playwrights, poets, and sculptors are some of the professions covered by the Writers, Composers, and Artists Visa. This does not include company employees working in these areas.
Actors, dancers, musicians, scriptwriters, and singers do not qualify.
Writers, composers and artists do not need to make an investment or employ resident workers in the UK. Visa holders can support themselves from unrelated private income or savings.
Entitlements
You may not work in the UK except as a writer, composer or artist. Once you have lived in the UK for five years, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Eventually you will be able to apply for British naturalisation.
Dependants may join you in the UK. They will be able to work and receive free education in the UK.
