When entering the UK on a Standard Visitor visa, you will generally not be allowed to accept payment equivalent to a salary (i.e. beyond reasonable expenses incurred for travel and living costs) for any activities undertaken in the UK whilst here as a visitor. The only exceptions to this are listed under paragraph 4.6 of Appendix Visitor.
These exemptions allow for payments to be accepted when the visitor:
Is an artist, entertainer or musician attending a Permit Free Festival in the UK; or
Has permission as a Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor.
In this post, we consider the circumstances in which you can apply to visit the UK for either a Permitted Paid Engagement or to attend a Permit Free Festival and what you should have in mind when making your application.
What is a Permit Free Festival?
If you are an artist, entertainer or musician who will be performing at a festival on the Appendix Visitor: Permit Free Festival List and you are a visa national; you can enter the UK as a Standard Visitor to attend the festival. If you are a non-visa national, you will be able to use the ‘e-gates’ as normal. You should nonetheless carry evidence of the festival(s) you will be performing at, e.g. an invitation letter in case it is requested by a border official.
You can see the full list of festivals here. This includes:
The Belfast International Arts Festival,
Cheltenham Festivals (Jazz, Science, Music & Literature Festivals)
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Glastonbury Festival
Hay Festival
Isle of Wight Festival
Southbank Centre Festivals
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
WWE Live. Please note that WWE performers are classed as ‘entertainers’ rather than ‘sportspersons’ due to the non-competitive elements of WWE.
Who Is Considered an Artist, Entertainer or Musician?
Home Office guidance sets out how these definitions are interpreted.
Artists are defined as anyone (whether they are an amateur or professional) undertaking an activity related to literature, the performing arts, visual arts or culinary arts. The guidance sets out a non-exhaustive list, including:
Poets
Photographers and film crew (including for social media content)
Writers
Conductors
Designers
Entertainers are defined as anyone undertaking an activity related to the performing arts specifically. The guidance sets out a number of examples:
Dancers
Comedians
Circus performers
Film Crew
E-sport competitors
If you are a personal or technical staff member of the artist, entertainer or musician, you can also attend the event as long as you have a contract to work for them in the UK. This widens the scope of the permit to include:
Choreographers
Make-up artists
Personal bodyguards
How Long Can I Stay In the UK When Attending a Permit Free Festival?
If you are successful in your application, you will be granted permission to stay in the UK for up to 6 months.
Who Can Undertake a Permitted Paid Engagement and What Type of Work Does This Include?
An exhaustive list of types of paid engagements is set out in Appendix Visitor. These are specific work activities that professionals can come to the UK to undertake as visitors and accept payment equivalent to a salary. The work must have been arranged before you travel to the UK, and you should provide a formal invitation setting out the details of the engagement. The work must also be related to your particular expertise and career overseas.
You must be over the age of 18 and one of the following:
An academic coming to the UK to examine students and/or participate in or chair selection committees. This does not include academics who are otherwise fully retired.
An expert lecturer. This must not equate to filling a teaching position. This does not include academics who are otherwise fully retired.
An overseas designated pilot examiner assessing UK-based pilots on meeting regulations of other countries.
A qualified lawyer advocating for a hearing, arbitration or dispute resolution for proceedings based in the UK. This includes barristers, solicitors, counsel, attorneys and advocates.
A professional artist, entertainer or musician carrying out an activity directly related to their career (that is not a Permit Free Festival), e.g. judging panels, attending a conference or interviews, modelling on a fashion runway, launching their work.
A professional sportsperson carrying out an activity directly related to their career.
To be considered as a professional sportsperson or arts professional, you must show that it is your full-time profession. The Home Office will look at factors including your reputation and earnings in assessing this.
For expert advice and assistance with a UK visa application to visit, work, study or join family members in the UK, , contact us on + 44 (0) 1483 419102 or complete our enquiry form below.