Entertainer visitors
Can you come to the UK as a entertainer visitor?
This page explains whether you can come to the UK as a entertainer visitor.
The 'entertainer visitor' category is for nationals of countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. If you are an EEA or Swiss national, or a family member of an EEA or Swiss national, the European nationals section explains how you can come to the UK.
You can come to the UK as an entertainer visitor if you are:
- taking part in a music competition as a professional entertainer;
- an internationally famous person taking part in broadcasts or public appearances, provided you are not being paid;
- taking part in an audition, provided this is not in front of an audience (either paying or non-paying);
- an amateur entertainer coming for a specific engagement as an individual performer;
- part of a group of amateur entertainers (such as a choir or youth orchestra) coming for a specific engagement;
- a professional entertainer taking part in a charity concert or show, provided the organisers are not making a profit and you are receiving no fee;
- an amateur or professional entertainer taking part in a cultural event sponsored by a government or recognised international organisation, or a major arts festival, or a cultural event or festival included in the UK Border Agency permit free festival list - see Appendix R of the Immigration Rules;
- a member of the technical or support staff (such as a dietician, bodyguard or press officer) of amateur or professional entertainers, attending for the same event; or
- an official (such as a choreographer, stage manager or designer) attending the same event as the entertainer.
You must be able to show that, during your visit, you do not intend to:
- live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits;
- take paid or unpaid employment, produce goods or provide services, including the selling of goods or services directly to members of the public;
- do a course of study;
- marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership; or
- receive private medical treatment.
You must also be able to show that:
- you are 18 or over;
- you intend to visit the UK for no more than 6 months;
- you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit;
- you have enough money to support and accommodate yourself without working or help from public funds, or you and any dependants will be supported and accommodated by relatives or friends;
- you can meet the cost of the return or onward journey; and
- you are not in transit to a country outside the 'Common Travel Area' (Ireland, the UK, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands).
You should provide documents to show that you meet the above requirements. The Documents page contains more information.
If you do not meet the above requirements, you will need to apply under Tier 5 (Temporary workers - Creative and sporting) of the points-based system.
You may need to obtain a visa before you can come to the UK as an entertainer visitor. The Do you need a visa? page contains more information.
For information about your rights and responsibilities while you are in the UK, see the Visitors' rights and responsibilities section.