UK VISAS

Please use this section as a guide only.

The advice we give all artists is to speak directly with a professional visa agent and connect with artists that have successfully toured to the countries you are looking to perform in.

RETURN TO VISAS

From 8 January 2025, Australian passport holders entering the UK, will need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This costs £10 and it’s now requisite for all travellers. 

For details, and to apply for the ETA, head to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta 

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The UK does not have work permits. Instead, the UK’s domestic rules allow musicians, entertainers and artists from non-visa national countries, such as Australia, for: 

  • One month without requiring a visa if they are invited to the UK by a UK-based client or organisation and paid by a UK source (under the permitted paid engagement visitor rules). 
  • Six months without requiring a visa if performing at a permit-free festival. The list of permit free festivals is published under the immigration rules and includes a range of events, such as The Great Escape Festival. 

Permitted Paid Engagement 

From 9 April 2025, travellers entering the UK under the PPE (permitted paid engagement) provision will no longer be required to declare their intention on arrival, so will be able to use the e-gates (unless e-gates are not available at the port of entry). Eligible artists and crew can enter the UK using PPE instead of a COS, unless the PPE criteria is not met. 

PPE (instead of a COS) can be used if you meet the following criteria: 

  • You are over the age of 18 
  • You are a full-time professional performer or crew (i.e. you do not have any other jobs in the UK and are not a student) 
  • You will be performing in the UK for no more than 30 days from your date of entry 

When entering the UK using the PPE route, you will need to provide: 

  • Invitation letter from a UK based arts organisation (e.g., agent, festival or promoter) 
  • Proof of when you are due to leave the UK (e.g., onward/return travel tickets and itinerary) 
  • Proof you have somewhere to stay (hotel bookings and/or tourbook/itinerary) 
  • Proof you have sufficient funds to support themselves (traveller should carry cash and/or bank cards) 
  • You might be asked whether you are a full-time ‘creative worker’ and may need to show some sort of evidence of that 

Who IS NOT eligible for PPE (and should still have a COS)? 

  • Clients working in the UK for longer than 30 days from their date of entry 
  • Clients who are not full-time professionals (i.e. they have another job or are a student in the UK) 
  • Performers under the age of 18 
  • Visa nationals (as CoS is usually a stronger supporting document) 
  • Acts entering at seaports without e-gates, such as Calais or Hull (until the system is established) 

For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/ 

Global Talent Visa 

You can apply for a Global Talent visa to work in the UK if you’re a leader or potential leader in one of the following fields: 

  • academia or research 
  • arts and culture 
  • digital technology 

You must also be at least 18 years old. 

You can usually only apply for a Global Talent visa if you have successfully applied for an endorsement to prove that you are a leader or potential leader. 

You can apply for the visa without an endorsement if you’ve won an eligible award. Find out which awards are eligible. 

A Global Talent visa lets you: 

  • choose how long your visa is for, up to 5 years 
  • be an employee, self-employed and a director of a company 
  • change or stop doing your job without telling the Home Office 
  • travel abroad and return to the UK 

You need to apply for an endorsement to prove you’re a leader or potential leader in your field. The Home Office will send your application to be reviewed by a UK organisation (‘endorsing body’) with expertise in your field. For more information: click here 

VISA AGENTS 

Here are some visas agents that we are happy to recommend, based on feedback from Australian artists that have used their services in the past. 

VIVA LA VISA 

Viva La Visa is offering a 20% discount to any Australian artists or industry professionals who get in touch and books their services. You can contact them on soundsaustralia@vivalavisa.co.uk or call on +44 (0) 1473 892 660. 

T: +44 (0) 1473 892 660 
freshdesk@vivalavisa.co.uk 

T&S Immigration Services 

Tina and Steve Richard 
P – +44 155 733 9123 

E – tina@tandsimmigration.co.uk 
E – steve@tandsimmigration.co.uk 
W – http://www.tandsimmigration.co.uk/ 

Tam Ray Touring  

Katie Ray 
21 Golden Square 
Tenterden, Kent TN30 6RN 
+44 793 926 5976 
katie@tamraytouring.com 
http://tamraytouring.com