This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament
Petition Seek Europe-wide Visa-free work permit for Touring professionals and Artists
We would like the UK Govt to negotiate a free cultural work permit that gives us visa free travel throughout the 27 EU states for music touring professionals, bands, musicians, artists, TV and sports celebrities that tour the EU to perform shows and events & Carnet exception for touring equipment.
More details
The UK has a huge music / event touring industry which has suffered immensely due to Covid. After the end of the transition period, we face further hardship when trying to tour the EU on a professional basis, with potentially each country asking for its own visa, that would be valid only for one trip, As a freelancer I and many like me travel through the EU countless times a year on different tours and events, this will become impossible due to cost and time if we do not have visa free travel.
This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months
Parliament debated this topic
This topic was debated on 8 February 2021
Government responded
This response was given on 14 January 2021
During our negotiations, we proposed measures to allow creative professionals to travel and perform in both the UK and EU, without needing work-permits. Unfortunately, the EU rejected these proposals.
Read the response in full
The UK Government supports ambitious arrangements for performers and artists to be able to work and tour across Europe. In the negotiations with the EU, we were determined to get a good deal for British music because we recognise the value of this industry.
As negotiations began, we consulted extensively with the sector to find out what they needed from the negotiations. We listened to the experts in British music, including bodies like the Musicians Union, and reflected their views in our proposal to the EU.
During our negotiations with the EU, we sought a mutually beneficial agreement that would have allowed performers to continue performing across the continent without the need for work permits. Specifically, we proposed to capture the work done by musicians, artists and entertainers, and their accompanying staff through the list of permitted activities for short-term business visitors. This was a straightforward solution for our creative industries which would have benefited all sides.
The EU turned down our proposals on the basis that musicians were providing a service which they viewed as necessitating a work permit and/or visa.
This outcome is regrettable, however there is scope to return to this issue in the future should the EU change its mind. Meanwhile the UK Government will make the case for arrangements that make touring easier in the EU and also seek to signpost to guidance which will help UK business travelers navigate individual Member States’ immigration systems.
The UK remains open for musicians to tour here. Musicians and artists (and technical staff) traveling to the UK from non-visa national countries, which includes but is not limited to EU nationals, are able to carry out a number of activities relating to the music and touring industry without a visa. Visiting musicians to 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 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 engagement. 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 dependents. Entry under the Tier 5 Creative Worker route is visa-free for non-visa nationals where entry is for no more than three months.
The deal delivers on the Government’s promise to take the UK out of the EU’s customs territory and to regain control of our borders. This means there will be new customs processes on goods headed from GB into the EU and vice versa. These processes ensure that customs authorities remain able to protect their regulatory, security and financial interests. As part of this, ATA Carnets can be used for temporary imports of some goods, including professional equipment, as an alternative to facing full customs controls. This is already an option for temporary goods movements from the UK to many other non-EU countries. It reflects the established international approach in line with the ATA and Istanbul Conventions.
The Government recognises the importance of touring for UK musicians and other creative professionals, and has engaged extensively with the creative industries and arts sector since the announcement of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to ensure they are aware of the new requirements. Going forward, we will continue our close dialogue with the creative and cultural sectors to ensure that they have the support they need to thrive.
We are also taking all steps we can to make the new processes as straightforward as possible for UK artists performing across the continent. Through negotiations with the EU we secured Transparency and Procedural Facilitation measures that will help ensure visa processes are as prompt and smooth as possible. The Agreement also contains provisions that promote efficient customs arrangements and we are working to make it easier to apply for and use ATA Carnets.
Furthermore, the Government is taking unprecedented action to help the music sector during the crisis. We’ve provided £1.5 billion of direct support for arts across the UK, the biggest one off investment ever, and a sum that far exceeds what’s been provided in other countries. That builds on billions more coming from furlough, the self-employed income support scheme and other government support.
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Related activity
Urgent Question in House of Commons on visa arrangements for UK musicians in the EU
On Tuesday 19 January there will be an Urgent Question asking the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on visa arrangements for UK musicians in the EU.
You can watch the response, and further questions on the topic here: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/25c66f34-1e7a-4045-bd91-7e50083d25e9?in=12:43:10
This will start at around 1pm, after the conclusion of topical questions to the to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.
What is an Urgent Question?
If an urgent or important matter arises which an MP believes requires an immediate answer from a government minister, they may apply to ask an urgent question.
Find out more about Urgent Questions here: https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/business/urgent-questions/
Petitions Committee to hold e-petition session on arrangements for UK musicians in the EU
On Monday 8 February the Petitions Committee will hold a virtual e-petition session to discuss arrangements for UK musicians in the EU.
MPs will discuss arrangements for UK musicians in the EU in light of the petition you have signed calling for a Europe-wide visa-free work permit for touring professionals and artists. Caroline Dinenage, Minister for Digital and Culture, will respond for the Government.
Watch live from 4.30pm on Monday 8 February:
https://youtu.be/VsaAKoULWNs
Petitions sessions and debates are an opportunity for MPs to discuss the important issues raised by petitions, however they cannot directly change the law or result in a vote to implement the request of the petition.
This petition is being considered in an e-petition session because sittings in Westminster Hall (where e-petitions are normally debated) have been suspended as part of Parliament’s arrangements for adapting to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Find out more about this session: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/138759/mps-to-discuss-petition-relating-to-arrangements-for-uk-musicians-in-the-eu/
Tell MPs about UK artists touring the EU
Tell MPs about your views on changes to work and travel rules for UK touring professionals and artists in the EU by completing this short survey:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/MJY6SU/
Please respond by Wednesday 3 February.
On Monday 8 February, MPs will discuss this petition in a live session and put questions to a Government Minister.
Your responses to this survey will help MPs to understand the issues musicians, artists and other touring professionals are facing and inform what questions they ask the Government. A summary of survey responses will be published on the Parliament website and shared with other MPs taking part in the session. The session will be broadcast and live streamed. What MPs say may be reported in the press and appear on the news, so please don't share any personal information that you don't want to be public.
Find out more about the Petitions Committee's session, including how to watch the session live: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/138759/mps-to-discuss-petition-relating-to-arrangements-for-uk-musicians-in-the-eu/
What is the Petitions Committee?
The House of Commons Petitions Committee is a cross-party group of MPs that looks at e-petitions submitted on petition.parliament.uk. It is independent from Government.
Find out more about the Petitions Committee: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/
Follow the Petitions Committee on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HoCpetitions
Watch a short video about how petitions work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGEOraE08Jk
Further information
Find out how Parliament works: https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/
Find out how to get involved in the work of Parliament: https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/
Watch artists and touring professionals discuss arrangements for touring the EU
On Thursday 4 February, MPs will hear from a range of artists and other sector professionals about arrangements for UK touring professionals and artists in the EU. This has been organised by the Petitions Committee as a direct result of this petition.
Those taking part include:
Tim Brennan (Petition Creator)
Stuart Murdoch (Songwriter, singer and musician, Belle and Sebastian)
Anna Patalong (Operatic soprano)
Emma Pollock (Co-Founder Chemikal Underground Records and performer)
Rakhvinder Singh (Violinist and co-founder, Manchester Collective)
Ian Smith (Founder, UKEartswork)
Nicky Spence (Operatic tenor)
Yousef (DJ and Circus Recordings record label owner)
Watch the session live from 2.30pm: https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/1af4f09c-3853-4819-a6ac-80bd08436939
MPs from the Petitions Committee, alongside guests from the Digital, Culture, Media Sport and the Scottish Affairs Committees will hear from artists and touring professionals about their experiences of working in Europe, and the impact they feel post-Brexit changes to work and travel rules will have on their career.
You can find out more about the session here: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/138987/committee-announces-evidence-session-on-arrangements-for-uk-touring-professionals-and-artists-in-the-eu/
What is the purpose of this session?
What is said during this session will be used to inform the upcoming e-petition session on Monday 8 February, where MPs will be able to put the concerns of petitioners and the industry directly to a Government Minister. The e-petition session will take place from 16:30 on Monday, and will be able to watch live on Parliament TV: https://parliamentlive.tv/Commons
Read the results of our survey
Thank you to everyone who completed our survey about this issue. The results will help inform both of these sessions about this petition.
The Committee’s survey found that:
- Almost 100% of respondents who identified as music and/or performing arts fans said that they ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ that they are concerned about the survival of the music and performing arts industries as a whole and people’s jobs.
- 81% of respondents said they were ‘very likely’ or ‘likely’ to stop touring Europe as a result of the changes
- 79% said that they were “extremely worried” or “very worried” about the future of their job or career in light of the new rules.
- 60% of respondents answered ‘yes’ or ‘maybe’ when asked if they were considering changing their career in light of the changes
- 50% expected they’d have to reduce the size of their touring party when touring Europe in future, resulting in job losses
You can read the full results of the survey here: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/22289/default/
What is the Petitions Committee?
The House of Commons Petitions Committee is a cross-party group of MPs that looks at e-petitions submitted on petition.parliament.uk. It is independent from Government.
Find out more about the Petitions Committee: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/
Follow the Petitions Committee on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HoCpetitions
Watch a short video about how petitions work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGEOraE08Jk
Further information
Find out how Parliament works: https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/
Find out how to get involved in the work of Parliament: https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/
What you told us about the impact of Brexit on artists touring professionals, and next steps
Petitioner survey and e-petition session
Thank you to the over 16,000 people who responded to our survey on the impact of Brexit on artists and touring professionals!
Your responses have enhanced the Committee's understanding of this issue, and informed the points MPs on the Committee made to the Minister for Digital and Culture in our e-petition session held on Monday 8 February.
Read a summary of what you told us: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/22289/default/
Watch the e-petition session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsaAKoULWNs
Read the session transcript: https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/1675/default/
Follow the Petitions Committee on Twitter for real-time updates on its work: https://www.twitter.com/hocpetitions
Next steps
Next Tuesday 16 February, Petitions Committee Chair Catherine McKinnell MP will join MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee as they examine how the music, stage and screen industries are being affected by new rules governing the movement of people and goods between the UK and EU. They will then question the Government about next steps.
Watch the session (from 10am - 1pm, Tuesday 16 Feb): https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/4bd22d71-fc47-48e5-b87a-15fc07eab0cb
Find out more: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/378/digital-culture-media-and-sport-committee/news/139214/mps-call-in-minister-over-failure-to-reach-agreement-with-eu-on-visafree-touring
What is the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
The DCMS Committee is a cross-Party group of backbench MPs who are responsible for scrutinising the work of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and its associated public bodies, including the BBC. They examine government policy, spending and administration on behalf of the electorate and the House of Commons.
Find out more about the DCMS Committee: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/378/digital-culture-media-and-sport-committee/
Follow the DCMS Committee on Twitter for real-time updates on its work: https://www.twitter.com/CommonsDCMS
Government responds to Petitions Committee regarding UK-EU negotiations for visa-free travel
On 9 March, the Petitions Committee published the Government's response to the Committee's letter asking for clarity on UK-EU negotiations relating to arrangements for visa-free travel for artists and touring professionals in light of conflicting press reports.
Read the Petitions Committee letter: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/4375/documents/44829/default/
Read the Government's response: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/23569/default/
Find out more
Find out more about the role of the Petitions Committee: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/role/
Follow the Committee on Twitter for real-time updates on its work: https://www.twitter.com/hocpetitions
MPs question the Government on EU visa arrangements for creative workers
On 29 June, MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee questioned Government Ministers on EU visa arrangements for creative workers such as artists and other touring professionals.
Watch the session: https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/19ccf673-c02d-45a3-9283-f3eb926bf37c
Read the transcript: https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/2480/pdf/
During the session, the Committee questioned Lord Frost, the UK’s chief Brexit negotiator, and Caroline Dinenage MP, Minister for Digital and Culture, on the Government's work to make arrangements with member states to allow creative professionals to work more easily across the EU.
What is the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee?
The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee is a cross-party group of non-government MPs that scrutinises the work of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and its associated public bodies, including the BBC. The Committee examines government policy, spending and administration on behalf of the public and the House of Commons.
Find out more about the DCMS Committee: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/378/digital-culture-media-and-sport-committee/
Follow the Committee on Twitter for real-time updates on its work: https://twitter.com/CommonsDCMS
MPs to debate visa and work permit arrangements for musicians working in the EU
MPs will hold a general debate on enabling visa- and permit-free working for musicians in the EU on Thursday 18 November in Westminster Hall. The debate will be led by Harriet Harman MP, and will last for up to 90 minutes.
Watch the debate (from 3pm, Thurs 18 Nov): https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/ac2b19c5-f2a7-49c0-87f1-722221b6ed61
Read a transcript of the debate (this is published a few hours after the end of the debate): https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-11-18
What are general debates?
General debates allow MPs to debate important issues, however they do not end in a vote nor can they directly change the law.
Find out more about how Parliamentary debates, including general debates, work:
https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/business/debates/
Work by the Petitions Committee on arrangements for touring professionals and artists in the EU
Earlier this year the Petitions Committee (the group of MPs who oversee the petitions system) took evidence on arrangements for touring professionals and artists in the EU, and held an "e-petition session" to enable MPs to discuss the issue.
You can read more about the Petitions Committee's work on this issue here: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/968/epetition-session-arrangements-for-touring-professionals-and-artists-in-the-eu
Get involved with UK Parliament
You can sign up to the UK Parliament newsletter for the latest information on how to get involved and make a difference: https://learning.parliament.uk/en/your-uk-parliament-newsletter-sign-up-form/