What we call for

The arts, creative and cultural sectors in Scotland and across the UK call for a more transparent and accountable VISA system that will underpin the international connections and diversity of expression that is fundamental to our work and the social, cultural and economic contributions that we make to the country for the benefit of all.

Reasons

Cultural exchange is fundamental for establishing a civic society locally and globally. Opportunities for cultural voices and ideas in the UK to be shared abroad rest on the principle of international movement and dialogue. Likewise, a successful and dynamic UK cultural scene, one which can also host world class events and festivals, is reliant on the flow of unique work and contribution from other parts of the world.

Problems and barriers

The current VISA system in the UK is characterised by a lack of systematic policy, informed decision-making and scrutiny, which undermines the work of the entire spectrum of arts, creative and cultural organisations focused on cultural exchange. 

The system also undermines the dignity of international artists and their sponsors, whose time and resources are routinely drained as a result of a lack of information, a lack of transparency and arbitrary decision-making from the UK Home Office. As such, costs for Tier 5 and Temporary Visitor visa applications should be reviewed. 

This treatment of artists, cultural organisations and sponsors cooperating across the Global South and the UK is in danger of being mirrored after Brexit with European nations.

Systematic issues relating to transparency, cost and fairness of the UK visa system have been clearly highlighted in recent articles and reports from journalists and lawyers as well as government-commissioned independent inspectors.

A collective of arts, cultural and creative organisations in the UK are now seeking to cooperate with groups from other industries and sectors to further publicise these issues and advocate for a fair and transparent VISA system - one that improves our opportunities culturally and economically, ensures healthy and dignified work for artists, and brings general benefit to all in society. 

Our proposals

• review of the costs of Tier 5 visa policies and visitor visas for organisations of all sizes;

• enable access to the Tier 5 visa for smaller organisations;

• clear guidelines of what is required for successful applications;

• the opportunity to appeal decisions made by visa administrators;

• a centralised resource for administering and monitoring visa applications;

• face-to-face advice by embassy officials;

• equal treatment for artists from all countries;

• an efficient solution for visa application by artists resident in countries that do not have a UK embassy or high commission;

• Considering that many arts organisations inviting international artists commission projects through governmental funding (Scottish Government, National Lottery, Creative Scotland), organisations in receipt of government funding should get a waiver from going through the usual paid visa application system; and

• Full disclosure of prioritisation of applications on the basis of nationality.

These proposals are reflective of calls for change made in recent political and media debate, and from government-commissioned independent reports.

Introducing the toolkit

This toolkit is going to focus on how to make the best application within a (broken) system, though it will implicitly and explicitly highlight issues that should be rectified by authorities, where relevant. For instance, we shouldn’t have a system that demands such invasive personal information from applicants and one which encourages discrimination on the basis of one’s country of origin or on their limited access to income - financial evidence demanded in Standard Visitor Visa applications fail to recognise that artists often are low income, especially relative to wealth in the UK. There is also no formal appeal process for any of these applications. 

These issues, reflective of Hostile Environment aims, are in direct contradiction with the Government’s own aims and ambitions in relation to cultural exchange. Whilst navigation of the toolkit should inform the reader about our aspirations as featured in our Manifesto and Proposals, this resource is primarily focused on assisting artists and their sponsors to achieve a positive and just result in their UK visa applications.

The toolkit is organised into the following sections:

1. Overview of how the UK Visas and Immigration System works for international artists

2. Temporary Worker - Creative and Sporting Visa (Tier 5) (with tips)

3. Permitted Paid Engagement Visa (with tips)

4. Permit Free Festivals Scheme

5. Standard Visitor Visa (with tips)

6. Resources

7. Contacts

8. News (link to a ‘News’ page on future website)