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Entertainer

The Entertainer Visitors category has been implemented to enable entertainers and their entourage to visit the United Kingdom for one of the following purposes, and to do so outside the Points Based System. Entertainers coming here to base themselves here to work will need to qualify to do so under either Tier 2 or Tier 5.

Entertainer visitor includes:

• professional entertainers coming to take part in music competitions

• internationally famous people coming to the UK to take part in broadcasts or public appearances provided they are not performing or not being paid.

• those undertaking an audition provided this is not performed in front of an audience (either paying or non-paying).

• amateur entertainers seeking entry as an individual performer for a specific engagement;

• amateur entertainers seeking entry as part of a group, such as a choir or youth orchestra coming for a specific engagement; This may include conductors, choreographers, stage managers and other non-performing staff supporting the group5

• professional entertainers taking part in a charity concert or show where the organisers are not making a profit and no fee is to be paid to the entertainer;

• amateur or professional entertainer taking part in a cultural event sponsored by a government or recognised international organisation or a major arts festival included in the Permit Free Festival list.

• members of the technical or support staff of amateurs or professionals who are attending the same event. Examples of such staff include make-up artists, personal bodyguards and press officers;

• officials attending the same event as the entertainer. Examples include choreographers, and stage managers.

Permit Free Festivals

We have been informed by the UK Border Agency that they intend to review these arrangements and criteria for festivals, and cultural events, that do not require participants to qualify to come to the UK under the Points Based System. The current Permit Free Festival List remains in place and criteria for those wishing to apply for inclusion on list for the 2009/2010 season, we have learned, will be published shortly.

Note: It has come to our attention that Sikh religious entertainers (Kirtani players) will not be covered by the entertainer visitor category, but will need to seek entry to the UK under the religious worker sub-category of Tier 5 of the Points Based System.

For your ease of reference - Definitions:

Amateur

In the Immigration Rules an `amateur’ is defined, for the purpose of distinguishing him from a professionals who is paid a salary for participation in a creative activity, as a person who engages in a creative activity solely for personal enjoyment and who is not intending to derive a living, either wholly or in part, from it.

NB For practical purposes both amateur and professional entertainers may enter as entertainer visitors in the circumstances set out above. Amateurs may not receive fees and sponsorship but may receive cash prizes as well as board lodging and living expenses.