Visa rules still plague arts sector

The high cost of visas and problems in submitting biometric data continue to trouble artists trying to visit the UK, despite improvements announced by Immigration Minister Phil Woolas. The biometric data requirement means that applicants must travel to ‘collection points’, sometimes situated in neighbouring countries. In response to a Parliamentary question from Shadow Arts Minister, Ed Vaizey, Woolas said that the Government had “extended the number of collection points through the arrangements provided by our commercial partners. In some cases mobile collection is also possible”. He also pointed to new visa application centres recently opened in Russia. The cancellation by Abbas Kiarostami of his trip to the UK to work with the English National Opera (ENO) has also caused embarrassment. ENO said that the distinguished Iranian film director “is now unable to be in London due to complex issues surrounding his visa application”. Louise de Winter, Director of the National Campaign for the Arts, who took a delegation to meet Woolas recently (AP192), said that visa problems seem “indicative of a lack of knowledge, a lack of understanding and lack of a sense of urgency on the part of border staff”. She added that problems were being felt particularly in the Middle East, China, Russia and Africa. A UK Border Agency spokesperson told AP, “We recognise and welcome the contribution of creative artists – but it’s important that everyone coming to the UK plays by the rules”. The agency aims “to process 90% of visa applications for temporary workers in not more than 15 working days”, and has “taken many steps to ensure that everyone – including foreign artists – knows about our tough rules, which include having a licensed sponsor”.
Meanwhile, the Musicians’ Union (MU) has confirmed that it does not support the addition of orchestral musicians to the new Migration Advisory Committee’s recommended shortage occupations lists, which were published recently. MU General Secretary John Smith said that the union has “yet to be convinced of there being a shortage of orchestral musicians in this country”.