Arts Officers, Producers and Directors

Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors – Arts Officers, Producers and Directors – UK Visa Applications

Arts in the UK have a long tradition of cross-fertilisation with international arts organisations – and international arts officers, producers and directors may wish to take up permanent appointments at UK arts institutions, as well as coming to work in the UK for a specific period or production.

Current restrictions on Tier 2 visa applications under UK immigration law can sometimes hamper the international exchange of skills in the arts world – despite UK arts organisations and companies needing to function in a multicultural arts environment, as well as developing collaborations with international arts organisations.

Duncan Lewis business immigration solicitors can advise on the international recruitment of arts officers, producers and directors – as well as visa applications for arts professionals coming to work in the UK on a single project.

Arts officers, producers and directors are eligible to work in the UK under the regulations covering occupations skilled to NQF Level 6.

Duncan Lewis business immigration lawyers frequently advise companies on Tier 2 applications – as well as advising on recruiting recent overseas graduates who have qualified in theatre/TV/film production or directing and who wish to take up an appointment in the UK.

Any Tier 2 applicants can be sponsored for jobs in certain occupations – and the government has drawn up a list of eligible occupations for arts officers, producers and directors wishing to apply for a Tier 2 visa to take up a position in the UK.

UK Visas & Immigration regulations set out in the Codes of Practice for Skilled Workers such as arts officers, producers and directors.

Under the regulations, the sort of roles within a company that would be eligible for a Tier 2 visa application include:

• Film editor
• Production assistant (broadcasting)
• Studio manager
• Television producer
• Theatrical agent.

UK Visas & Immigration rules also set out the types of duties arts officers, producers and directors role might undertake to qualify for a Tier 2 visa, including:

• chooses writers, scripts, technical staff and performers – and assumes overall responsibility for completion of project on time and within budget
• directs actors, designers, camera team, sound crew and other production and technical staff to achieve desired effects
• breaks script into scenes and formulates a shooting schedule that will be most economical in terms of time, location and sets
• prepares rehearsal and production schedule for main events, design of sets and costumes, technical rehearsals and dress rehearsals
• ensures necessary equipment, props, performers and technical staff are on set when required
• manages health and safety issues
• selects, contracts, markets and arranges for the presentation and/or distribution of performance, visual and heritage arts.

The current minimum salary range for arts officers, producers and directors  applying for a Tier 2 UK visa would be £25,600 for an experienced member of staff – and £20,800 for a new entrant.

Source: Experienced: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2013. New entrant: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2011. No comparable data available on Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2013.

Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors – UK Visa Applications & Appeals – Arts Officers, Producers and Directors

Applying for a Tier 2 visa for an arts officer, producer or director requires expert legal advice on the preparation of the visa application to ensure no delays occur – any delays in the Tier 2 visa application process might potentially jeopardise the timely take up of an arts officer, producer or director appointment.

Duncan Lewis immigration experts are one of the UK’s leading specialist immigration and business immigration solicitors, with a highly successful track record in advising companies and professionals on business immigration and the UK visa application process.

Duncan Lewis immigration lawyers have offices nationwide and in most major cities – and our national and London immigration lawyers can advise companies wishing to recruit high-calibre candidates from overseas on:

• Tier 2 Licence
• Tier 2 Certificate of Sponsor (CoS)
• Tier 2 Visa Applications
• Tier 2 Intra Company Transfers
• Standard UK Visa for Business Visits.

Duncan Lewis business immigration experts are also able to advise on visa appeals for arts officers, producers and directors wishing to take up appointments in the UK.

As immigration specialists, Duncan Lewis is ranked by Legal 500 2015 for its business immigration services.

For further information on UK visa applications for Arts Officers, Producers and Directors, call Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors in confidence on 0333 772 0409 for a FREE initial consultation.