Overseas Musicians Touring in the UK Debate

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Department: Home Office

Overseas Musicians Touring in the UK

Earl of Clancarty Excerpts
Tuesday 11th November 2025

(1 day, 13 hours ago)

Lords Chamber
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Earl of Clancarty Portrait The Earl of Clancarty (CB)
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My Lords, one of the key asks from the sector is for visa waiver agreements, not just with the EU but with other countries. Are the Government pursuing this urgently, both as part of the reset and globally?

Lord Hanson of Flint Portrait Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)
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The Government are certainly looking at that as part of the reset, because it is very important that we have movement between countries that is as frictionless as possible, particularly in areas where individuals can now apply for long-term visas, although obviously the amount of time that they can stay in the UK depends on the visa that is granted. Musicians, entertainers, artists and technical staff from non-visa national countries, such as the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, can perform in the UK for up to six months requiring only an ETA, which costs just £16 and currently lasts for two years. That is a pretty good deal.