u/Pleasant-Midnight231

Hi all,

Trying to sanity-check the UK entry situation for a small band.

We’re an Amsterdam-based band doing a short UK run:

• 28 June – show in London
• 29 June – show in Bristol
• 30 June – show in Manchester
• 1 July – rest day
• 2–5 July – studio recording in Leeds
• 6 July – rest day
• 7 July – show in Newcastle
• 8 July – travel home

Details:

• 1 band member is Irish
• the other band members are Dutch
• total pay for all 4 shows is only about £300 total, so roughly £25 per person per show
• a UK promoter is handling/booked the shows
• we’ll ask the promoter for a written invitation letter with dates, venues, and payment details
• we also have a driver and sound tech coming with us, paid by us, not by the UK promoter

From what I understand so far:

• the Irish member should be fine
• the Dutch members may be able to enter with an ETA only, as visitors for permitted paid engagements, if the paperwork is in order
• how the driver/sound tech should be documented as crew

My questions:

1. For the Dutch band members, does this sound like ETA + proper invitation/supporting docs is enough, without applying for a visa in advance?
2. Has anyone here entered the UK recently for small paid gigs under this kind of setup?
3. Did you use a promoter invitation letter, and what exactly did it say?
4. How did you document crew like a driver and sound tech as touring staff?

Not looking for guesses, mainly hoping to hear from people who’ve actually done this recently or had lawyers/promoters advise on it.

Thanks in advance.

Hi all,

Trying to sanity-check the UK entry situation for a small band.

We’re an Amsterdam-based band doing a short UK run:

• 28 June – show in London
• 29 June – show in Bristol
• 30 June – show in Manchester
• 1 July – rest day
• 2–5 July – studio recording in Leeds
• 6 July – rest day
• 7 July – show in Newcastle
• 8 July – travel home

Details:

• 1 band member is Irish
• the other band members are Dutch
• total pay for all 4 shows is only about £300 total, so roughly £25 per person per show
• a UK promoter is handling/booked the shows
• we’ll ask the promoter for a written invitation letter with dates, venues, and payment details
• we also have a driver and sound tech coming with us, paid by us, not by the UK promoter

From what I understand so far:

• the Irish member should be fine
• the Dutch members may be able to enter with an ETA only, as visitors for permitted paid engagements, if the paperwork is in order
• how the driver/sound tech should be documented as crew

My questions:

1. For the Dutch band members, does this sound like ETA + proper invitation/supporting docs is enough, without applying for a visa in advance?
2. Has anyone here entered the UK recently for small paid gigs under this kind of setup?
3. Did you use a promoter invitation letter, and what exactly did it say?
4. How did you document crew like a driver and sound tech as touring staff?

Not looking for guesses, mainly hoping to hear from people who’ve actually done this recently or had lawyers/promoters advise on it.

Thanks in advance.