Page 594 - Aldeburgh Festival 2022 FINAL COVERAGE BOOK

• Evidence from the local police or licensing authority concerning the cultural
event or festival;
• The number of non-British or Irish performers and their nationalities for the last
3 years;
• The number of non-British or Irish performers who have been invited for the
forthcoming event;
• Other additional evidence if requested by the Home Office.

The evidence should be sent electronically to PFFAdmin@homeoffice.gov.uk before 31
January 2022. Large documents should be sent as zip files.

UK Visa Options for Performing Artists

Once a festival or event has been added to the Permit Free Festival List, festival
organisers will need to consider the most appropriate UK immigration route for their
performing artists to enter the UK.

As mentioned above, there are two main options – the Standard Visitor route and
the Permitted Paid Engagement route.

Standard Visitor route

In order to be granted a Standard Visitor visa (or, for non-visa nationals, leave to enter
as a Standard Visitor at the UK border), the performing artist will need to satisfy UK
Visas and Immigration that they are a genuine visitor. This means that they:

• Will leave the UK at the end of their visit;
• Will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits,
or make the UK their main home;
• Are genuinely seeking entry for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes
and will not undertake any prohibited activities;
• Have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to their visit;

Taking part in one or more cultural events or festivals on the List of Permit Free
Festivals is recognised by the Home office as a permitted purpose.

Standard Visitors will be permitted to stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

Permitted Paid Engagement route
In order to qualify for a Permitted Paid Engagement visa(or, for non-visa nationals, leave
to enter as a Permitted Paid Engagement visitor at the UK border), the performing artist
will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

• They intend to undertake specific paid work;
• They have been invited by a UK-based organisation or client;
• The work relates to their area of expertise or occupation overseas;
• They will leave the UK at the end of their visit;