Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Skelmersdale (Conservative). It was answered on Tuesday, 15 December 2009.

Visas: Non-EU Visitors

Question: My Lords, I do not know whether anybody else in the House has been confused by the Minister this afternoon as much as I have. Earlier on, he talked about a fast-track system where people could get their visas at ports of entry—airports, the port of Southampton and so on. Just now, in answer to a question from behind me, he said that one of the reasons for denying a visa in such cases would be the points-based system. While I approve of the points-based system in general terms, is it working in these terms?

Answer: I do not know whether the confusion is in the noble Lord’s mind or in mine, but I did indicate that the fast-track system is for artists arriving here from the countries in which they are already performing and who do not require to stay for more than three months. As regards points, under tier 1, one has to acquire points in order to enter. Academics and artists can come under tier 5, but some of the problems from the cases indicated by the Manifesto Club are that it is not clear whether the individuals were in breach of conditions of visas. For example, academic visas do not allow working beyond honorarium—they do not allow people to become salaried. In that sense, therefore, there is no reason why entry may be denied. As I indicated to the previous speaker, however, I will investigate and produce an answer.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 715 c1390
Session: 2009-10
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP2010-0063
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Deposited papers
House of Lords
Subjects: Education Immigration controls Entertainers Performing arts Visas
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk