If you plan to negotiate contracts or discuss sponsorship arrangements, perform at auditions without pay, make personal appearances and promotions such as talk shows or interviews, you do not need a work permit. You will require a Business Visitor Visa.
If you have performed at the highest level and have an established reputation, and you have an invitation to perform at a specific event as an amateur or professional entertainer, you may qualify for a UK Entertainer visa.
If can qualify for this visa if you are a professional entertainer coming to take part in a music competition, a Sikh religious entertainer, an amateur entertainer coming to the UK as an individual performer or part of a group such as part of a choir or youth orchestra coming for a specific concert, an amateur or professional entertainer who is taking part in a cultural event which is sponsored by a government, a recognised international organisation or a major art festival, or a professional entertainer who is taking part in a charity concert or show and the organisers are not making a profit and you are not being paid any fees.
This visa is not valid for more than six months.
You must also include proof that you are able to support yourself in the UK without relying on public funds as well as evidence of your return journey to the UK. If you plan to stay in the UK for more than 6 months, and you will be paid as an entertainer in the UK, it may be necessary to apply for a full work permit.
Entertainers are only granted with short term work permits in order to cover the period of contracted work or the specific period for which the entertainer is engaged. For individuals, multiple entry work permits can be issued for a minimum of six months and a maximum of two years. In the case of a group, they can be granted for a minimum of six months and a maximum of 12 months.
Work permits for a group
The procedures vary depending on the number of people in the group. They are as follows:
- If there are up to 19 members, we will issue a work permit for each member
- If there are more than 20 in the group, a letter of permission will be sent to the employer or your representative
- If members of the group are travelling separately each individual will be issued a work permit
- If a multiple work entry has been issued, any new members would need to separately apply for a work permit.
