If you wish to come to the UK for a short time to take part in a music festival, arts festival, charity event or similar activities, you may be eligible to enter on an Entertainer Visa.

Foreign artists are very often invited to the UK to take part in small arts festivals or short-term events. For such events, there is often no need to enter into an arrangement or obtain visa sponsorship to participate in the event.

Who is considered to be a visiting “Entertainer” or Creative Artist?

Under UK immigration law, “artist” can include anyone who comes to the UK to carry out activities related to the arts (literature, performing arts, visual arts, culinary arts).

Entertainers may include people who visit the UK to perform activities related to the performing arts, for example, singers, dancers, comedians, circus members, film crews etc.

Personal or technical staff attending the same event, such as choreographers, stage managers, make-up artists and personal bodyguards may travel to the UK with artists, entertainers or musicians provided they are employed to work for them overseas.

What UK visit visa is appropriate for overseas entertainers?

Most of the activities which a foreign artist would be engaged in are actually permissible under the terms of a visitor visa to the UK. It is therefore important to understand what activities are allowed under the visit visa system, as well as what defines a "standard" visit and a "permitted paid engagement" visit.

What are the Permitted activities under a Standard Visitor visa?

Artists entering the UK as ‘Standard’ visitors should not be paid for their engagements. They may, however, be compensated for their reasonable expenses, which would include ‘per diem’ expense payments. Payments for expenses should be ‘reasonable’, both in scope and in respect of the amounts paid.

Permitted activities as a ‘Standard’ visitor are as follows:

• To take part in a performance either individually or in a group
• Taking part in a music competition
• To perform at a major permit-free festival
• To be part of the technical support staff of the person with the Entertainer Visa
• As a professional part of the entourage i.e stage manager
• As an Internationally famous person taking part in a free broadcast or performance

Non-visa nationals are able to enter the UK as ‘Standard’ visitors, using the ‘e-gates’. However, they should be able to provide evidence of their engagements in the UK, and of their own circumstances if requested.

A Standard’ visitor who is a ‘visa national’ (and therefore must apply for entry clearance prior to entering the UK) will be required to submit evidence of their engagements and of their personal circumstances. Such visitors may only be granted enough leave to attend the engagement before returning to their home country.

Requirements for applying for a Standard visitor

In order to be granted a standard Visitor Visa (or, for non-visa nationals, leave to enter as a Standard Visitor at the UK border), the performing artist will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that they are a genuine visitor. This means that they:

• Will leave the UK at the end of their visit;
• Will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK their main home;
• Are genuinely seeking entry for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes and will not undertake any prohibited activities;
• Have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to their visit;

Standard Visitors will be permitted to stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

What visa should I apply for to receive Payment for the Engagement for activities?

Professional artists, entertainers and musicians must obtain a Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor visa to visit the UK to undertake paid activities directly related to their profession. For example, an entertainer may enter the UK as a visiting visitor to present their paid performances and present their work to other professionals or the public.

To qualify for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visa, artists, entertainers and musicians must be able to prove that the paid activity is related to their profession and that they are professionals. This must be confirmed through supporting documents such as performance promotional materials, screenings, concerts, lectures, readings and exhibitions, media reports and reviews, awards, and evidence of recent performances.

Artists, entertainers and musicians must also receive an invitation to this activity from a UK-based creative (arts or entertainment) organization, agent or broadcaster. A creative organization is any organization involved in artistic and entertainment activities. For example, galleries, art faculties or departments of universities and schools, and venues involved in producing or holding events are all considered creative organizations. Embassies that host cultural events related to the country are also eligible. Agents and broadcasters based in the UK may also invite individuals to conduct paid engagements in the UK.

A non-visa national can normally seek entry as a Visitor on arrival in the UK. A non-visa national must still satisfy the requirements for entry as a Visitor and so, on arrival, should be prepared to explain, for example, the purpose of their visit and how they will be maintained and accommodated in the UK, as well as their return travel arrangements. 

Overseas entertainers or artists with a Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor visa are only allowed to stay for a maximum of one month. In this situation, entry through ‘e-gate’ is not appropriate, even if you are a non-visa national. You must go through the immigration desk at the border control with the necessary evidence for entry.

Requirement for applying for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor Visa

Visa nationals who must first obtain a visa before entering the UK must meet the following requirements when applying for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor visa:

The performing artist will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

• They intend to undertake specific paid work;
• They have been invited by a UK-based organisation or client;
• The work relates to their area of expertise or occupation overseas;
• They will leave the UK at the end of their visit;
• They have sufficient funds to maintain and accommodate themselves during their visit.

Entry will be granted for up to one month for Permitted Paid Engagement visitors.

What visa do I need for a paid activity for more than one month?

If your paid engagements require presence in the UK for more than one month, you will need a sponsor (i.e. the UK entity employing or sponsoring the artist or entertainer during their stay in the UK). The Sponsor will need a specific Sponsor’s Licence in order to be able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to the foreign artist for the engagement. The conditions for the issuing of such visas vary and depend on whether the engagement is for more than one year.

Inviting foreign artists or entertainers for small-scale festivals or short engagements does not require complicated processes. The question is to properly prepare evidence to meet visitor visa requirements and advise artists accordingly. Advice from an immigration lawyer with experience in advising artists and entertainers will ensure that any visa application is both professionally presented and technically correct. 

The exact requirements a performing artist must meet may vary depending on individual circumstances. If you would like professional advice and assistance with your UK visa application as an international artist or entertainer, please contact us on 0203 865 6219 or visit our website and leave a message.