ARTISTS AND ENTERTAINERS
The UK is a world-leading hub for the creative industries. Whether you are an actor, musician, dancer or other performing artist, our immigration barristers in Covent Garden are well versed in the full range of UK visas available to artists and entertainers who wish to visit or work in the UK.
UK Visas & Immigration Routes for Artists and Entertainers
In order to undertake activities as an artist or entertainer in the UK, you will normally need to obtain a visa under one of the tiers of the points-based system. The points-based system has special categories and rules for those in the creative and entertainment industries. In most categories you will need to be sponsored by an employer. However, if you are going to be in the UK briefly, or for a single event or activity, one of the visitor visa categories may be more appropriate.
The main immigration routes available to artists and entertainers are:
- Creative Visitor
- Permitted Paid Engagement
- Global Talent
- Skilled Worker
- Temporary Work – Creative Worker
Employers and event organisers: if you are a UK organisation and are looking to employ an individual to work in the UK, you may need to sponsor them, unless they are only coming for a short period or they are eligible to come to the UK on a different basis which provides them with permission to work. To sponsor an employee, you will need to obtain a sponsor licence. If the individual will not actually be working for you then they may be eligible for a Standard Visitor visa or a Permitted Paid Engagement visa.
Festivals and Cultural Events: if you organise a festival or cultural event, it will be much easier and cheaper for your performers to enter the UK if your event is on the Home Office’s list of permit free festivals. If your event is on the list then your performers will be able to enter the UK with a Standard Visitor visa and you will not be required to sponsor them under the points based system. They will also be able to be paid. To be included on the list, your event must have been established for at least 3 years, have had an audience of at least 15,000 at each of the last 3 festivals and expect to have an audience of at least 15,000 during the course of the next event.
How Our Immigration Barristers Can Help
Our specialist immigration barristers work closely with creative and entertainment sector professionals, employers and event organisers across the film, television, music, performing arts and fashion industries to ensure that their immigration and visa requirements are met.
We can also assist with
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Applications for Creative Visitor Visas
The Creative Visit Visa is for amateur and professional artists, entertainers and musicians (and their personal and technical staff) who wish to visit the UK to undertake permitted unpaid creative activities for a period of up to 6 months.
The route does not lead to settlement in the UK and all visitors must make a separate application, even when travelling as part of a group.
In order to qualify for a Creative Visit Visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:
- You are a visa national (a non-visa national can normally seek entry as a Visitor on arrival at the UK border);
- You are genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes;
- You will not undertake any prohibited activities;
- You have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit (including travel, maintenance and accommodation costs) without working or accessing public funds;
- You will leave the UK at the end of your visit;
- You will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home;
- Your application does not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.
The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.
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Applications for Permitted Paid Engagement Visas
The Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visit Visa is available to certain professionals and experts who wish to visit the UK for up to 1 month in order to undertake a paid engagement relating to their expertise and occupation.
The Permitted Paid Engagement Visa route does not lead to settlement in the UK and all visitors must make a separate application, even when travelling as part of a group.
In order to qualify for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:
- You are at least 18 years old;
- You are a visa national (a non-visa national can normally seek entry as a Visitor on arrival at the UK border);
- You intend to do one (or more) of the permitted paid engagements set out in the Immigration Rules;
- Your permitted paid engagement is pre-arranged, evidenced by a formal invitation from a UK-based organisation or client and relates to your area of expertise and occupation overseas;
- You will not undertake any prohibited activities;
- You have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit (including travel, maintenance and accommodation costs) without working or accessing public funds;
- You will leave the UK at the end of your visit;
- You will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home;
- Your application does not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.
The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.
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Applications for Global Talent Visas
The Global Talent route is for individuals who are internationally recognised as world leaders in their field (exceptional talent) or recognised as having the potential to become world leaders in the future (exceptional promise).
In order to qualify for a Global Talent visa in the Arts and Culture field, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:
- You are aged 18 or over;
- You have been issued with an endorsement letter by Arts Council England or have been awarded a prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes;
- Your application does not fall under the general grounds for refusal;
- You have provided a valid TB certificate, if required.
In order to qualify for a Global Talent visa in the Film and Television field, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:
- You are aged 18 or over;
- You have been issued with an endorsement letter by PACT or have been awarded a prize listed in Appendix Global Talent: Prestigious Prizes;
- Your application does not fall under the general grounds for refusal;
- You have provided a valid TB certificate, if required.
The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.
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Applications for Skilled Worker Visas
The Skilled Worker category is open to individuals of all nationalities (except British and Irish) who have an offer of an eligible skilled job in the UK from a Home Office-approved sponsor. The route can lead to settlement and applicants can be joined by dependent partners and children.
In order to secure a Skilled Worker Visa you will need to be sponsored to do a specific job, which meets certain skill and salary requirements, by an employer that has been licensed by the Home Office.
In order to qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:
- You are aged 18 or over;
- You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job you are planning to do;
- Your job offer is a genuine vacancy;
- Your sponsor has paid any required Immigration Skills Charge;
- Your job is at an appropriate skill level;
- You are competent in the English language to at least CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0);
- You will be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both a general salary threshold and the ‘going rate’ for the occupation;
- You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds;
- You have provided a criminal record certificate, if required; and
- You have provided a valid TB certificate, if required.
The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.
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Applications for Temporary Work – Creative Worker Visas
The Temporary Work – Creative Worker visa is for individuals who have been offered short-term work in the UK for up to 12 months within the creative sector.
The Creative Worker visa is not a route to settlement, but applicants can extend their stay up to a maximum of two years with the same employer.
In order to qualify for a Temporary Work – Creative Worker Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:
- You have an offer of a job as a creative worker from a sponsor that holds a valid Temporary Work – Creative Worker sponsor licence (which requires a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the role you wish to undertake);
- You will be paid the minimum salary as set by Equity, PACT or BECTU (except for models, musicians or circuses);
- You genuinely intend, and are able, to undertake the role for which you are being sponsored and do not intend to undertake other employment;
- You have personal savings to support yourself in the UK;
- Your application does not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal;
- You have provided a valid TB certificate, if required.
The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.
