Press release - 6 May 2008

NCA welcomes improvements to immigration policy and presses for further changes

The National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) welcomes a recent concession by the Home Office regarding artists’ visas.

As part of changes to the immigration system in the move to a Points Based System, the Home Office had previously said that it would require all artists from outside the European Economic Area to obtain a visa in order to come to the UK.  This would have brought thousands of artists into the immigration system for the first time and would have represented a significant new cost to the arts and entertainment sector.  It was likely to have deterred artists from coming to the UK and prevented UK venues and promoters from hosting them.  Its effect on festivals could have been particularly devastating.

The NCA is therefore pleased that a recently published Statement of Intent from the Home Office says that ‘creative’ workers who are non visa nationals and are coming to the UK for less than three months will not need visas.  This includes Americans, Canadians, and many others.  These artists will still require a certificate of sponsorship issued by a licensed sponsor but will be spared the considerable cost and administrative hassle of obtaining a biometric visa. 

NCA Director, Louise de Winter said, “This represents a victory for all those who have campaigned with the NCA to ensure that the UK immigration system does not penalise or deter visiting artists, and we commend the Home Office for addressing the cost issue.  The NCA remains very concerned, however, by some elements of the Points Based System as it applies to artists.  We will continue to campaign for improvements to this.” 

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) is the UK’s only independent campaigning organisation representing all the arts.  It provides a voice for the arts world in all its diversity.  It seeks to safeguard, promote and develop the arts and win public and political recognition for the importance of the arts as a key element in our national culture.
• Information about the NCA’s work on the immigration system is available at http://www.artscampaign.org.uk/campaigns/nationalpolicy/Visas%202005%20Overview.html
• The exemption from obtaining entry clearance, as described above, applies to migrants coming to the UK under the Creative and Sporting category of Tier 5 of the new Points Based System.  Further information is available at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/managingourborders/pbsdocs/
• For further information please contact the NCA, 1 Kingly Street, London W1B 5PA. Telephone: 020 7287 3777. Fax: 020 7287 4777. Email nca@artscampaign.org.uk. Website: www.artscampaign.org.uk

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