Live Nation Calls for Changes to “Punitive” UK Visa Policy

Live Nation and LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment) are calling upon the UK’s Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee to alter its visa policy. The two major live music entities claim that the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) requirement is among the recent updates that make touring in the region difficult.

How it works:

• In April 2025, an ETA became mandatory for both non-visa nationals and European nationals to enter the UK.

• Prior to that, citizens from approved regions such as the United States could simply arrive in the UK and enter with their passports, provided there were no other restrictions.

• Artists hailing from countries that aren’t approved for the ETA, such as China and India, need to apply for an official visa in order to enter the UK.

• If an artist is from an approved region but has criminal convictions, they may be denied an ETA as well.

• In 2020, the UK removed “cooling off” periods related to criminal convictions.

• Under such periods, travelers could return to the UK after ten years for convictions resulting in sentences of 12 months to less than four years. They could return in five years for sentences of less than 12 months.

• Without these periods, artists could be denied for an indiscriminate amount of time.

The response:

• Live Nation and LIVE proposed a series of updates to the policy that could streamline the visa application process:

• A formal channel of communication with the government to discuss cases.

• Earlier application windows for artists. The current window is three months in advance.

• Pre-application checks 12 months in advance of applying.

What they said:

• Live Nation: "Any barriers, such as an overly burdensome and punitive visa regime, can see the UK removed from an artist’s plans to tour – and have a detrimental reputational effect that deters artists from even attempting to perform in the UK.”

• UK Home Office: "Most [ETA] decisions are made within minutes, and for £16 [it] is valid for two years, allowing multiple short visits of up to six months each. We remain committed to ensuring the UK is open and accessible for legitimate visitors, including touring artists.”