Visiting Artists and Academics

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The UK Home Office has introduced new bureaucratic procedures for organisations that wish to invite non-EU artists and academics to the UK. As professionals committed to the principles of internationalism and cultural exchange, we are dismayed by these new regulations - which will curb our invitations to non-EU artists and academics to visit the UK for talks, artist residencies, conferences and temporary exhibitions.

The system is costly to both the host organisation and to the visitor, and has already meant a number of cancelled exhibitions and concerts. All non-EU visitors now must apply for a visa in person, and supply biometric data, electronic fingerprint scans and a digital photograph. The Home Offices 158-page guideline document also outlines new controls over visitors day-to-day activity: visitors must show that they have at least 800 pounds of personal savings, which have been held for at least three months prior to the date of their application; the host organisation must keep copies of the visitors passport and their UK Biometric Card, and a history of their contact details; and if the visitor does not turn up to their studio or place of work, or their whereabouts is unknown, the organisation is legally obliged to inform the UK Border Agency.

We, the undersigned, believe that these Home Office restrictions discriminate against our overseas colleagues on the grounds of their nationality and financial resources, and will be particularly detrimental to artists from developing countries, and those with low income. Such restrictions will damage the vital contribution made by global artists and scholars to cultural, intellectual and civic life in the UK.

10831 Signatures

  • Jamie W
    • Title/position
    • Mr
  • MURRAY G
    • Title/position
    • MANAGER
  • Alice E
  • Sarah A
    • Title/position
    • В
    • Comments
    • В
  • Marci
    • Title/position
    • Photographer
  • Paul R
  • Oliver C
    • Comments
    • As a music promoter who, like many others, already strugles to bring international artists to this country to perform i can only see these new rules making things even harder. Music fans in the UK are pasionate about a wide variety of artists and the chance to see them perform live provides the ultimate opportunity to satisfy this enthusiasm and passion. By making it harder for these artists to bring their talent to the UK we would also greatly damage the chance to share knowledge new techniques and cultural differences - and our arts and music industry will undobtedy be poorer should that be allowed to happen.
  • Jesse S
  • Vincent O
    • Title/position
    • Label Manager
  • Andy B
    • Title/position
    • Promoter
  • Johannes von W
  • Sergey A
    • Title/position
    • QA Engineer/DJ/Musician
  • luke
  • Michael H
    • Title/position
    • В
    • Comments
    • В
  • Andrew J
  • Fernando
  • Jules A
    • Title/position
    • Project Manager
  • Josh Q
  • Christian M
  • Grant H
    • Title/position
    • Managing director, Agency X
  • Robert S
    • Title/position
    • DJ
  • Marshall H
  • Marla H
    • Title/position
    • Musician
  • Tim Murray B
    • Title/position
    • Academic
  • John R
  • Evan B
  • Will G
    • Title/position
    • Music Promoter
  • Neville W
  • Graeme J
  • Andrew M
    • Title/position
    • n/a
  • Luke O
  • junichiro o
  • Mike B
    • Title/position
    • Brass Toast Recordings, founder
    • Comments
    • To discourage club promoters from attracting talented acts from around the world is a seriously backward step.
  • spencer p
  • Marcos R
  • Blomme
    • Title/position
    • advisor
  • Alexander
  • Nick C
  • Leanne E
  • Giulia B
    • Title/position
    • Researcher/Reporter
  • Simon D
    • Title/position
    • Artist /Designer
  • Stephanie H
    • Title/position
    • Designer
  • Colin S
    • Title/position
    • publisher/literary agent
  • Jorge Luis Nava M
    • Title/position
    • DJ & Producer
  • simon b
  • Viory S
  • Paul B
    • Title/position
    • Freelance Theatre Designer and Lecturer
  • James B
    • Title/position
    • Staff Director, National Theatre
  • Noah B
    • Title/position
    • Theatre Director
  • Bronia H
    • Title/position
    • Set and Costume designer
    • Comments
    • В