New visa system in place

An attempt to delay the launch of the Government’s new points-based system (PBS) for immigration in the House of Lords by the Liberal Democrat peer, Lord Avebury, has failed. Although the system had been welcomed, because it would allow artists to come to the UK for less than three months without a visa (AP170), there is concern that the speedy introduction of the new legislation may have an adverse impact on sectors including the arts and education. Lord Avebury pointed out that much of the information required by business visitors to the UK is not yet available on the website of the UK Border Agency, “making it impossible for users to know whether their intentions are lawful”. Further debate and modification of the new system is expected. The National Campaign for the Arts is requesting information on people’s experience of the PBS in relation to artists and arts organisations.