UK Immigration Rules: Problematic for Non-EU Artists

Last week, leading cultural figures and peers in the House of Lords spoke out against the UK’s visa and immigration system. They stated that the immigration policies were particularly damaging for museums in the UK, who are struggling to get artists, curators and researchers to visit the UK and work with them due to the limitation of time they can stay in the UK. The immigration rules have proven to be problematic for non-EU artists and are damaging the UK’s ‘soft power’. 

Lord David Howell: UK needs to enable Artists to Move Freely from Country to Country

Lord David Howell, headed a campaign to reform immigration rules and is the Soft Power Committee Chairman. He commented on the difficulty non-EU artists face:

“We need to enable great artists and leading cultural figures to move freely from country to country.”

It seems that academic institutions across the UK are also suffering because of the immigration rules. This is due to the costs and seemingly complicated application process, which is putting students and potential members of staff off.

A spokesman for the British Council echoed the words of Lord David Howell:

“Alongside student visas, delivering a flexible, affordable, fast and effective service for visitor visas for international artists, sportsmen and politicians is key to the UK’s soft power. Needless bureaucracy and red tape should not be allowed to jeopardise important intercultural engagement.”

Points-Based Immigration System put-off Artist coming to the UK

This is not the first time immigration policies have come under fire. In 2011, 120 arts-leaders, novelists and musicians called for a new visa for artists and entertainers, so that it would make it easier for leading performers to enter the UK for cultural events. They complained that the visa application process under the point based system was ‘needlessly bureaucratic and intrusive’.

The campaign worked, as in 2012 the immigration rules changed. The rules allowed non-EU artists to work for up to a month in the UK without applying for a tier-five work visa. However, if they wanted to stay longer than a month they would be required to apply for a visa through the points-based system.

At the time a Spokesperson for the UKBA said:

“Creative artists from across the world are welcome to come and perform in the UK. As part of our commitment to the industry, we work with organisers of international events to ensure they are aware of the application process and are able to help facilitate urgent cases. However, as with any visitors to the UK, we expect individuals to meet our entry requirements.”

Successful UK Points Based Applications & Appeals

Our team of experienced and professionally qualified immigration solicitors and barristers will be able to guide you through the process of making a Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 4 or Tier 5 application step by step and limit the possibility of failure by complying with the strict letter of law.

We also undertake a great deal of appeal work before the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal and have a successful track record of successful results for our clients. We have the experience and the knowledge required to take your case forward successfully. If you have had a points based visa refused, contact us to discuss your case so that we can provide you with a case assessment.

Contact us so that we can review your case and provide you with an assessment.

Categories Exceptional Talent Visa, Home Office, UK Immigration, UK Immigration PolicyTags , , , ,
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