Country Entry Requirements for Artists from Overseas Booked for Music Festivals.

To secure the best headline artists many festival organisers curate talent from outside their base country. This increases the diversity of a curated line-up and enables organisers to secure the best talent irrespective of nationality or country of residence. The requirements for visas and work permits is an ever-changing consideration, what is the status in 2025.

The visa and work permit requirements for artists coming from overseas can be a complex process and is subject to constant changes. When booking an artist from overseas it is essential that they are aware of the need to obtain the correct visa and work permit in a timely manner for themselves and their entire entourage. The complexity and timing will largely depend on factors like the artist’s nationality, the host country's specific requirements, the type of performance (paid or unpaid) and duration of stay. 

Visas and Work Permits. 
The requirements vary from country to country and can be reasonably simple or very complex.  

• The United States has one of the most complex systems with two main categories for artists booked to perform at a festival and each one requires significant supporting documentation. P-1B Visa (Internationally Recognized Entertainment Group). O-1B Visa (Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement in the Arts) and O-2 Visa for essential support personnel accompanying an O-1 visa holder.
• Most European countries are covered by the Schengen rules which permits free travel between member countries. However, a standard visit visa does not allow work which includes paid performances, and each country has requirements for a visa type that allows work specifically for entertainment performances.
• The United Kingdom has a visa system that has been simplified over the years with a visa type specifically designed for performing artists called the Temporary Work - Creative Worker Visa (T5). In addition, the UK has a formal list of approved festivals which are permit free where artists do not require the T5 visa and can enter on a standard visit visa and perform at the listed festival.
• Both Australia and New Zealand have specific visa types for performing artists. Australia's Subclass 408 - Temporary Activity Visa, Entertainment Stream is the correct category which also applies to an artist's support crew and entourage. New Zealand has a similar scheme called the Arts and Music Festival Visitor Visa which is restricted to performances at formally approved festivals. 

Typical Documentation Requirements. 
Each country will need documentation in order to assess and approve a visa application, and the requirements and detail can vary. The most common documents needed include a sponsor's (Festival Organising Entity or Promoter) invitation along with evidence of sufficient funds and contracts or agreements for performances. The artist’s pervious travel history is always a key consideration in a visa application and any criminal convictions will likely be problematic for most countries. 

Timing. 
The processing time for visa applications can be lengthy and should be applied for as soon as a booking confirmation is made. Most countries allow applications up to 3 months in advance of proposed travel and once approved the validity will commence from the arrival date. Less than a month before intended travel dates can sometimes be problematic due to processing delays. Whilst may countries issue visas with between 3- and 6-months validity some will issue specific validity dates that can be as short as one or two weeks. 

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). 
The ETA is gradually being implemented for all global travel and is a digital alternative to the old paper arrival card previously used by immigration. The ETA application must be made prior to travel and forms part of the arrival process. In most instances it is free or has a small fee with a few exceptions like the UK and USA. Implementation of ETA for travel to the UK is now mandatory but the European ETIAS in Schengen countries it has been delayed until late 2026. Canda’s eTA system has been active for a number of years already as has Australia's ETA and New Zealand’s NZeTA. The United States use their ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) which is currently a requirement with numerous accompanying rules. It has recently been suggested that a new additional charge of $250 will be implemented, known as the Visa Integrity Fee. In some cases, an ETA may not be required if the applicant has a certain category of work permit so this needs to be thoroughly checked. 

For festival organisers planning their next event using a software management platform like Festival Pro gives them all the functionality they need manage every aspect of their event logistics. The guys who are responsible for this software have been in the front line of event management for many years and the features are built from that experience and are performance artists themselves. The Festival Pro platform is easy to use and has comprehensive features with specific modules for managing artists, contractors, venues/stages, vendors, volunteers, sponsors, guestlists, ticketing, site planning, cashless payments and contactless ordering.

Image by jackmac34 via Pixabay

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