Borders Agency changes plans for international artists visiting the UK

The UK Borders Agency has changed its policy regarding the hurdles international artists will have to jump in order to play gigs and festivals over here. Many had feared that musicians would get caught up in new immigration rules covering temporary workers, which would make it trickier for artists to get clearance to perform over here, and would require them to visit a British Consulate in their home country and get a biometric visa. An organisation called the Arts & Entertainment Task Force has been lobbying against those plans since they were first announced in 2006. But, according to Music Week, a new 'statement of intent' from the recently created UK Borders Agency seems to be proposing a much simpler system for artists looking to perform over here, which should save promoters and managers much time and money. So, that's good.