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

  • Fabrice S
    • Title/position
    • set/costume designer
  • Julia-Katharina B
    • Title/position
    • Theatre Designer
  • John H
  • IOANNA T
    • Title/position
    • costume designer
  • Dana D
    • Title/position
    • Program Director
    • Comments
    • Cultural development is one of the best things the UK has
  • Elroy A
  • Madeline H
    • Title/position
    • Designer
  • Tito Soffredini K
  • Cliff E
    • Title/position
    • community musician
  • J C
  • Simon M
  • David C
    • Comments
    • A shameful example of xenophobia theatre.
  • H H
    • Title/position
    • Student
  • Antonia
  • Belle M
    • Title/position
    • Set and Costume Designer for Theatre and Film
    • Comments
    • The unique and world-renowned course I attended to train in theatre design, Motley Theatre Design Course, which has always welcomed international students, because of this legislation now can't function as an international post graduate level training centre for theatre design. It is faced with possible closure. We want international (not just EU) talent to come and train in this country. The UK is (or was) a leader in theatre and film design training.
  • Simon T
  • Florence M
  • Jeremy P
  • Lee P
    • Comments
    • The actions and decisions made by the UKBA are disgusting and totally unnecessary. It makes me ashamed to be British.
  • Mae P
    • Title/position
    • Commissioning Editor
  • Kristina P. A
    • Title/position
    • Creative Director/Copy Curator Atelier Agency
    • Comments
    • Stop this Government Destruction of Artists
  • Raya U
    • Title/position
    • MA Publishing student
  • Nacera G
    • Title/position
    • Prof. Artist
    • Comments
    • Art has no frontiers. I am Algerian born, raised in France, lived in Switz., US and now in England. It is necessary to help Artists and Academics to share their Arts, cultures, differences, common grounds. Countries who think otherwise are those who have a very low record on their human rights. If you cant allow an artist from countries like Irak or Afganistan to share his/her experiences of the war then it is called censorship. Artists do not cost to the UK government on the contrary: exhibitions, Museums attracts tourists. However, this government did already abused the Arts with their large cuts and closing of the Ind. films. Its a shame. I wonder where they are getting their inspiration from? I know: Iran! Men, lets move quickly to China!
  • David N
    • Title/position
    • Lecturer/writer
  • Ruthie S
    • Title/position
    • Director, The Flame Centre
  • Jocelyn M
  • Ken H
    • Title/position
    • Theatre Designer
  • moi t
  • Maina G
    • Title/position
    • previously Artistic Director The Australian Ballet and the Royal Danish Ballet, now regular guest repetiteur English National Ballet
  • Alexander N
    • Title/position
    • director
  • elisa d
  • Tawny K
    • Title/position
    • Artist
    • Comments
    • As an international artist currently based in Glasgow, I find it disheartening that my dedication to the arts in this city will be hampered by visa restrictions that will only allow me to reside here for a short time. The arts are booming here, and superb local artists benefit greatly from interaction with international artists and creatives. An arts career enriches the practitioner emotionally and intellectually, as well as many people around them. But because it is a career which does not always enrich financially, or at least not in the same ways as other careers which are deemed more "desirable" by the home office, artists are shut out or shipped home left and right. The arts thrive in Britain. International artists rightly want to participate in this thriving environment, and should be afforded more opportunities to do so.
  • Andy F
    • Title/position
    • Plastic Artist
  • Miss Britt H
  • Katrin S
    • Title/position
    • PhD Candidate, SOAS
  • Johanna H
    • Title/position
    • Dr.
    • Comments
    • for easier global traveling of internationall artists!
  • Evelyn O
    • Title/position
    • PhD Student
  • Jonathan B
    • Title/position
    • theatre maker
  • Sara T
    • Title/position
    • Photographer
    • Comments
    • This legislation is quite simply idiotic.
  • Nathбlia Martins De M
    • Title/position
    • Artist
    • Comments
    • The points-based system does not embrace diverse definitions of what WORK can possibly mean.
  • Rebecca D
    • Title/position
    • Freelance Dancer
    • Comments
    • As an American who applied for her visa to stay in the UK I know how diffcult it is and think aspects of the process are unnecessary.
  • Kristina W
  • Ashley H
  • Ioannis A
  • Lisa A
    • Title/position
    • Arts practitioner/academic
  • Mark H
  • Laura B
  • Vivienne L
    • Title/position
    • Artist
  • David S
    • Title/position
    • Visual Artist
  • Alice C
    • Title/position
    • Director