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1383875

registered interest
date	01/12/2021
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Musicians
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of specialised visa renewals for touring groups to streamline the (a) time and (b) cost of visa applications for working musicians.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	85273
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/12/2021 answer text <p>Overseas musicians and performers make an important contribution to the UK's creative sector and are very welcome in the United Kingdom. We therefore offer a range of immigration routes for creative workers.</p><p>Visiting artists, entertainers and musicians can come to the UK and perform at events, take part in competitions and auditions, make personal appearances and take part in promotional activities for up to six months without the need for formal sponsorship or a work visa if they are not receiving payment beyond expenses or prize money.</p><p>Those from non-visa national countries can come to perform in the UK and be paid without the need to obtain a visa in advance for up to one month under the Permitted Paid Engagement route, up to three months if they have been assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship by a licenced sponsor or for up to six months if performing at a Permit Free Festival. With no requirement to obtain a visa prior to travel, these options provide a flexible system which enables performance slots to be filled at short notice and reduces the administrative burden for performers.</p><p>For longer-term work, the Temporary Work – Creative Worker visa allows creative workers to come to the UK to undertake paid engagements for up to twelve months, which can be extended for a further twelve months in certain cases. We also offer priority and super priority services for those who wish to receive a quicker decision on their visa application (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/faster-decision-visa-settlement" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/faster-decision-visa-settlement</a>).</p><p>Fees are kept under review and are set taking account of the charging powers provided by Section 68(9) of the Immigration Act 2014, which include the ability to set fees based on: the cost of processing the application, the benefits and entitlements provided by a successful application and the wider cost of the Migration and Borders system. Full details of which can be reviewed via the following link: <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legislation.gov.uk%2Fukpga%2F2014%2F22%2Fsection%2F68&amp;data=04%7C01%7CRebecca.Scully%40homeoffice.gov.uk%7C8e3ff2f2b6504714002208d9b58164a3%7Cf24d93ecb2914192a08af182245945c2%7C0%7C0%7C637740389601471407%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=pSTxF%2BnLS2Xq3c9Mnrc4X%2BSOWEgiINsmTw3CrdEbCUw%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/22/section/68</a></p><p>Income from fees charged for immigration and nationality applications plays a vital role in our ability to run a sustainable immigration and nationality system. Application fees have increased in recent years to reduce the funding that comes from general taxation.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 08/12/2021 15:31:44 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1329796

registered interest
date	04/06/2021
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Musicians
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to occupation code 3415, Musicians, of the Skilled worker visa shortage occupations list published 6 April 2021, how many musicians she estimates the UK is short of.
tabling member constituency	Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
tabling member printed	Jonathan Edwards
uin	10323
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/06/2021 answer text <p>The Home Secretary wrote to the Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee on 23 October 2020 setting out the Governments response to their review of the Shortage Occupation List (SOL).</p><p>The UK labour market is changing as a result of Covid, with many facing uncertainty or a need to find new employment. We are therefore taking time to assess how it has changed before making further changes to the shortage occupation list as our immigration policies should be considered alongside our strategy for the UK Labour Market, not separately or as an alternative to them. A copy of the full letter can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-to-the-mac-on-the-shortage-occupation-lists-report" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-to-the-mac-on-the-shortage-occupation-lists-report</a>.</p><p>The Migration Advisory Committee review of the SOL, published on 29 September 2020, sets out the rationale for recommending jobs which should be added to the SOL. This is based on several factors and not just the number of vacancies. A full copy of the report can be found at:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-the-shortage-occupation-list-2020" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-the-shortage-occupation-list-2020</a></p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster grouped question UIN 10320 10321 10322 question first answered 09/06/2021 12:04:29 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	3943 label Biography information for Jonathan Edwards

1279134

registered interest
date	21/01/2021
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Musicians
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing (a) a two year multi-entry touring visa, (b) a temporary cultural exemption for the transportation of instruments and equipment and (c) an expansion of the list of CITES-designated points of entry and exit to support the music industry's recovery after the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Paisley and Renfrewshire South
tabling member printed	Mhairi Black
uin	141503
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/01/2021 answer text <p>Currently, artists, entertainers and musicians visiting the UK can perform at events, take part in competitions and auditions, make personal appearances and take part in promotional activities for up to 6 months without the need for formal sponsorship or a work visa. They can also receive payment for appearances at permit free festivals for up to 6 months, or for up to one month for specific engagements, under the Visitor route.</p><p>HMRC advise ATA carnets are available for commercial goods, professional equipment or goods going to trade fairs or exhibitions in participating countries, which are moved on a temporary basis to a new customs territory.</p><p>In addition to using carnets, alternative options for transporting equipment on a temporary basis between the EU and the UK (without having to pay customs duties and VAT) are Temporary Admission and Returned Goods Relief.</p><p>The UK Government will keep the list of CITES Ports of Entry and Exit (PoEs), managed by DEFRA, under review and look to make additional designations where it is feasible and advantageous to do so.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 29/01/2021 14:32:33 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	4421 label Biography information for Mhairi Black

1275308

registered interest
date	11/01/2021
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Musicians
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is on visa-free 90-day tours by musicians between the EU and UK; and whether she plans to take steps to secure an improved agreement on visa-free travel for musicians.
tabling member constituency	Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East
tabling member printed	Stuart C McDonald
uin	135967
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2021 answer text <p>The UK Government already makes a range of generous provision for musicians and other cultural performers to help support the vibrant cultural life of our Union.</p><p>Musicians visiting the UK may perform at events, make personal appearances, take part in competitions, promotional activities and auditions, for up to 6 months without the need for formal sponsorship or, for non-visa nationals, without a visa if they are not being paid beyond expenses or prize money. They can also receive payment for appearances at permit free festivals for up to 6 months, or for up to one month for a specific engagements, under the Visitor route.</p><p>Musicians and support staff who are being paid in the UK may also qualify for entry under the Tier 5 Creative Worker route, if they are sponsored by a UK entity licensed with UK Visas and Immigration for this purpose. Entry is for up to 12 months and the relevant rules also provide for accompanying dependants.</p><p>Entry under the Tier 5 Creative Worker route is visa-free for non-visa nationals, which includes EU Nationals, where entry is for no more than three months.</p><p>We set our provisions based on the assessment of the needs of our United Kingdom’s cultural sector, rather than tying them to decisions made by foreign jurisdictions and Governments. As I recently outlined to Members of the Scottish Parliament’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee, we are specifically reviewing the provisions on Permit Free Festivals and Permitted Paid Engagement for other cultural events in response to the points raised by those in the sector, particularly the Edinburgh International Festival.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 14/01/2021 17:52:14 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	4393 label Biography information for Stuart C McDonald

1204880

registered interest
date	17/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Musicians
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Australians used the Tier 5 visa route in 2019.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
tabling member printed	Lloyd Russell-Moyle
uin	60844
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/06/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office publishes data on Tier 5 visas in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release’ (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release).</p><p> </p><p>Data on grants of Tier 5 visas by nationality are published in table Vis_D02 of the entry clearance detailed datasets (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/managed-migration-datasets#entry-clearance-visas-granted-outside-the-uk).</p><p> </p><p>Information on how to use the dataset can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbook. The latest data relates to year ending March 2020. Additionally, the Home Office publishes a high-level overview of the data in the entry clearance summary tables (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-year-ending-march-2020/list-of-tables#entry-clearance-visas). The ‘contents’ sheet contains an overview of all available data on entry clearance visas.</p><p> </p><p>Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’ (https://www.gov.uk/search/research-and-statistics?keywords=immigration&amp;content_store_document_type=upcoming_statistics&amp;organisations%5B%5D=home-office&amp;order=relevance).</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 22/06/2020 16:13:37 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	4615 label Biography information for Lloyd Russell-Moyle

1201231

registered interest
date	08/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Musicians
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the challenges of the points-based immigration system for (a) musicians and promoters from the EU and (b) for musicians from the UK as a result of the stated intention of reciprocity between the UK and EU countries.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	55870
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>Overseas musicians and performers make an important contribution to the UK's creative sector.</p><p> </p><p>We have set out the Government’s plan to introduce a future points-based immigration system which will enable the most talented people from around the world to come to the UK in all parts of the economy, including the creative sector.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 16/06/2020 08:34:46 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

1201233

registered interest
date	08/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Musicians
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will (a) extend the Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) route from 30 days to 90 days to allow for longer tours and opera seasons for musicians and (b) allow the PPE route for multiple entries to the UK.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	55872
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>There are no plans to extend the Permitted Paid Engagement route from 30 days to 90 days. The PPE visit visa already allows, whilst valid, multiple entries to the UK</p><p> </p><p>Currently, visiting artists, entertainers and musicians can perform at events, take part in competitions and auditions, make personal appearances and take part in promotional activities for up to 6 months without the need for formal sponsorship or a work visa. They can also receive payment for appearances at permit free festivals for up to 6 months, or for up to one month for specific engagements, under the Visitor route.</p><p> </p><p>Artists wishing to come to the UK for longer-term work will need to do so under the points-based system. There will continue to be special arrangements for creative workers, which in future will encompass both EEA and non-EEA citizens.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 16/06/2020 08:36:36 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

1201235

registered interest
date	08/06/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Musicians
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will simplify the application process for visa applicants for the purposes of musical performances who have previously secured successful applications.
tabling member constituency	Leeds Central
tabling member printed	Hilary Benn
uin	55874
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>We continually review our global visa operation to improve performance and ensure value for money while maintaining excellent customer service.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office's priority is to maintain a safe and secure border. Visas are only issued where an applicant meets the requirements of the UK's Immigration Rules and entry clearance applications are subject to an extensive range of mandatory and discretionary checks (including an applicant’s previous immigration history).</p><p> </p><p>In normal circumstances we can offer priority and super priority services, (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visa-decision-waiting-times-applications-outside-the-uk); however, these were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some UK Visa Application Centres are reopening where local restrictions allow and where it is safe to do so, but ongoing global restrictions mean some UKVI services – including priority and super priority services – remain closed. This is under regular review, and we will resume normal services as soon as it is safe to do so.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office set out proposals for the UK’s future Points-Based Immigration System in a Policy Statement published on 19 February: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-points-based-immigration-system-policy-statement. These proposals will transform the way in which all migrants come to the UK and will deliver a better customer experience.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster grouped question UIN 55873 question first answered 16/06/2020 08:43:54 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	413 label Biography information for Hilary Benn

1183505

registered interest
date	09/03/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Musicians
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she (a) has recently taken and (b) plans to take to engage the music industry on ensuring that the visa and immigration system supports the needs of that sector.
tabling member constituency	Cardiff Central
tabling member printed	Jo Stevens
uin	26847
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2020 answer text <p>Free Movement will end on 31 December 2020 with the end of the Transition Period. Following the end of the Transition Period EEA and Swiss nationals will be able to continue to travel to the UK for holidays or short-term trips, without needing a visa. The current Immigration Rules, including those for visitors, contain a wide range of provisions to cater for artists, entertainers and musicians.</p><p>The Home Office continues to engage with DCMS and the creative sector to ensure the future immigration system contributes to the thriving cultural sector in the UK.</p><p>More detailed analysis on the points-based system and individual routes will be published shortly.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 12/03/2020 16:38:42 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	4425 label Biography information for Jo Stevens

1183581

registered interest
date	09/03/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Visas: Musicians
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 27 February 2020 to Question 19895, how many Tier 5 (Creative and Sporting) Certificates of Sponsorship were issued for musical performances in 2019.
tabling member constituency	Enfield, Southgate
tabling member printed	Bambos Charalambous
uin	26977
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2020 answer text <p>The Home Office does not hold this information centrally and to obtain it would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold.</p> answering member constituency Torbay answering member printed Kevin Foster question first answered 12/03/2020 16:53:15 answering member 4451 label Biography information for Kevin Foster
tabling member	4610 label Biography information for Bambos Charalambous