New Post-Brexit Immigration Policy Huge Blow To UK Music Industry

“This will cut the legs off the bottom half of the music industry. And what is going to happen to our small venues who have to go through this process to bring artists across from the EU?”

Deborah Annetts
Chief Executive
Incorporated Society of Musicians
(Source: The Independent)

As the UK continues their transition into a Post-Brexit existence, let’s just say that things are certainly not looking good for the UK music industry at this point in time. In the past few weeks, we’ve previously covered the mounting number of possible obstacles touring musicians will face as immigration laws change and moving between the UK and the EU becomes increasingly difficult.

In a sad development, and to the dismay of the Incorporated Society of Musicians – who have been fighting furiously to secure the rights of touring musicians, and provide alternative reasonable options for musicians to continue their careers while attempting to move through the UK and EU – a new immigration policy by the UK Home Office has cracked down on the possibilities of a positive future for the industry, which is currently worth £111bn a year for the economy.

On February 19th, a new immigration policy has been confirmed that would effectively “cut the legs off’ of the UK music industry, according to the Incorporated Society of Musician’s chief executive Deborah Annetts, in a statement to The Independent.

In 10 months, in order for musicians from the EU to tour in the UK they will have to provide the following:

• Each group member will be required to apply for a visa at the cost of £244 each.
• Prove 90 days in advance that they have a minimum savings of £1,000 in savings (unless they are considered “A-Rated” musicians).
• Provide a certificate of sponsorship or letter of invitation from event organisers. 

The amount of money required for non-UK musicians to tour the UK is massive, and ultimately extremely off-putting for most as it is simply unaffordable for a large majority of musicians and bands.

The free movement policy of the UK has been replaced with a minimum salary threshold of £25,600 for foreign workers.