In this, the first of two posts on the topic, we look at visit visas for creative artists and entertainers. If you are a musician, dancer, actor or indeed have any other connection to the arts, read on to find out more about visiting the UK as an artist or entertainer.

Inviting foreign artists to come to the UK to participate in small arts festivals or events of short duration need not be daunting. For such events there is often no need to provide sponsorship or enter into arrangements which would tax the administrative resources of a small arts festival, music promoter or theatre company.

Who is considered to be a visiting ‘Creative Artist’?

The following definition of a ‘Creative Artist’ for immigration/visit visa purposes is taken from guidance published by the Home Office. The definition of ‘artist’ is quite wide, and encompasses most work which might be offered to a foreign creative artist:-

“An artist can include anyone coming to the UK to undertake an activity that is connected to the arts (literature, performing arts, visual arts, culinary arts).

There is no restriction on amateur or professional artists doing permitted activities. Examples include:-

Entertainers can include anyone coming to the UK to undertake an activity that is connected to the performing arts, for example dancers, comedians, members of circus acts or members of film crew.

Personal or technical staff who are attending the same event can accompany the artist, entertainer or musician to the UK, provided they are employed to work for them overseas. Examples include, but are not restricted to:

The distinction between visa and non-visa nationals

It is also important to appreciate the difference between those who need to obtain a visit visa before entering the UK (visa nationals); and those who do not (non-visa nationals). Those who do not require a visit visa before their visit are required to make their applications to visit the UK in person at the UK border point.

Visa nationals: are citizens of countries which do require a visit visa to come to the UK. A list of these countries can be found here.

Non-visa nationals: apply to enter the UK as visitors when they arrive at the border. Some non-visa nationals may enter the UK as ‘standard’ visitors using the e-gates, being nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States of America (Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000 (as amended), section 8B).

It is important to note, as mentioned below, that even where an artist is a ‘non-visa’ national, they should nevertheless be prepared to provide evidence of their activities and circumstances at the border point.

What work are foreign artists permitted to do in the UK on a visit visa?

If you are contemplating engaging a foreign artist, you are asking them to come to the UK to work. This causes confusion because, generally speaking, visitors are prohibited from working under the Immigration Rules. However, creative artists are, under certain circumstances, permitted to perform or share their creative expertise in the UK having entered as visitors. It is therefore essential to understand precisely which activities are permitted and which are not, and which type of visit visa is appropriate for the engagement contemplated. Advice from an immigration lawyer specialising in immigration routes for artists and entertainers will ensure compliance with the UK’s immigration rules.

Other concerns for all visitors

Frequent visitors to the UK should pay heed to the following (from the Immigration Rules):-

“Genuine intention to visit

V 4.2 The applicant must satisfy the decision maker that they are a genuine visitor. This means that the applicant:

(a) will leave the UK at the end of their visit; and

(b) will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK their main home…”

If there have been frequent visits to the UK, the artist should be aware that consideration will be given to their immigration history in deciding whether they are, in fact, a genuine visitor. The issue is that whether through these visits the individual has in fact made the UK their ‘main home’. The factors the Home Office will take into account are (from the Guidance) as follows:-

There is in fact no specified maximum period which an individual can spend in the UK in any given period (such as ‘6 months in a 12 month period’), but the above should be kept in mind when seeking to enter either as a ‘Standard’ or ‘Permitted Paid Engagement’ visitor.

Contact Our Covent Garden Immigration Barristers

For expert advice, assistance and particular expertise with applications for visiting artists to enter the UK, contact our immigration barristers in Covent Garden on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below.