Entertainers

If you intend to come to the UK to perform as an amateur or professional entertainer, you will need a work permit. In the following cases you would not need a work permit, but would require a business visitor visa:

• if you intend to negotiate contracts or discuss sponsorship arrangements; or
• if you intend to perform at auditions only and you will not be paid for this; or
• if you intend to make personal appearances and promotions (i.e. on talk shows or interviews).

If you have a genuine invitation to perform at one or more specific events, you can come to the UK on an Entertainer visa, which is not valid for more than six months.

You may qualify for this visa if you are a(n):

• professional entertainer coming to take part in a music competition;
• Sikh religious entertainer; or
• amateur entertainer coming to the UK as an individual performer; or
• amateur entertainer coming to the UK as part of a group, for example, a choir or youth orchestra coming for a specific concert; or
• amateur or professional entertainer taking part in a cultural event sponsored by a government, a recognised international organisation or a major art festival.
• professional entertainer taking part in a charity concert or show for which the organisers are not making a profit and no fee is to be paid to the entertainer.
• professional entertainer taking part in a charity concert or show for which the organisers are not making a profit and no fee is to be paid to the entertainer. You should make your application at your local British Embassy or Consulate, bringing with you a genuine invitation from the UK events organiser, evidence that you can live in the UK without recourse to public funds, and evidence of your return journey out of the UK.

You will probably need to apply for a full work permit if you intend to stay in the UK for more than six months and you will be paid as an entertainer in the UK.