Edinburgh in August – there’s nowhere quite like it. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture and Edinburgh is an impressive backdrop. Performers and artists come from all over the world and almost every room in the city is turned into a stage. The city buzzes with energy and the excitement of the possibility of getting a peek at what might be the next big thing. From the Edinburgh Fringe to fame is a well-trodden path, with the latest example being Netflix’s hit of the year, “Baby Reindeer,” which previously won best show on the Fringe in the Edinburgh Comedy Awards.
But what if August is not enough? Do you want to stay in Scotland longer to soak up inspiration and be part of the arts scene in the UK on a more permanent basis? For some artists and performers, the UK’s Global Talent Visa (GTV) may be the answer.
The GTV visa is the UK’s flagship visa scheme to attract people that the Home Office term the “brightest and best” in arts and culture, along with other sectors. If you meet the eligibility criteria, this is an excellent visa for those looking to relocate to the UK. It can lead to settlement (permanent residence) after three years continuous residence instead of the five years required on most other visa routes.
While the GTV visa brings great benefits for those who qualify, it won’t be for every talented performer, as to qualify for this visa, an entertainer must first obtain an endorsement, and this can be a challenge. For the very select few, who have a BAFTA, Tony or Grammy an endorsement is automatic. For the rest, an endorsement application is required from Arts Council England (who work with associated bodies like Creative Scotland). Endorsement is dependent on evidence of international appearances, awards or media recognition. Most relevant for artists and performers at the Edinburgh Festival is an endorsement under combined arts, dance, literature, music, theatre or visual arts. Once an applicant has their endorsement, they use this to make what should be a fairly straightforward visa application.
For artists and performers who won’t meet the GTV endorsement criteria or for those just looking to take in the Edinburgh Festival atmosphere, there are temporary visa options.
Many performers and artists who work in the UK will be familiar with the Temporary Work – Creative Worker visa. This is for individuals who have been offered work in the UK for up to 12 months within the creative sector. This visa requires an offer of a job as a creative worker from a sponsor that holds a valid Temporary Work – Creative Worker sponsor licence and is not a route to settlement in the UK. In comparison, a sponsor is not required for the Global Talent visa and it is a path to permanent residence in the UK.
For those looking to come only to the Fringe, the Creative Worker Visa concession which allows eligible artists and performers to work in the UK for up to 90 days may be the best option. To be eligible, you must be sponsored by a UK partner organisation. This visa concession is only for people who would not normally require a visa to visit the UK – for example, nationals of the European Union, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Visa nationals will need to use a different route. This might be perfect for you if you are bringing a one-off show to the Edinburgh Festival or Fringe. Be aware that you cannot enter the UK using airport e-gates if using this concession – you must have your passport stamped by UK Border Force or you will not have permission to perform.
It is also possible for performers to take part in the Festival under the ‘permitted paid engagement’ route. This route has now been rolled into the standard visitor route – so if you have used it before, make sure you review the rules to ensure it is still the right route for you. This route is for those with a written invitation from a UK-based organisation for a pre-arranged event. You must be able to show that you are an expert in your profession and the engagement must be relevant to your expertise, qualifications and main job in your home country. You must do the engagement for which you have been invited within thirty days of arriving in the UK, though you can stay for up to six months.
At Thorntons, with three specialist immigration lawyers on the team, including a Law Society of Scotland Accredited Immigration Lawyer, we provide expert advice and pragmatic solutions to help you achieve your immigration goals. Get in touch with our Immigration team for advice and support on 03330 430350.
