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Work permits

Pantomime

Background

This page explains the work permit criteria for pantomime from July 2008. These criteria were agreed following consultation with Equity. This criteria is supplementary guidance to the published employer guidance notes and both sets of guidance should be referred to when making an application.

Criteria

Permits will only be issued in respect of internationally established artists of the highest calibre where it can be proved that the employer in the United Kingdom has tried unsuccessfully to recruit from the European Economic Area (EEA) labour market.

These criteria do not apply to circus acts if they are performing their usual routine. In such cases we will consider the application under the criteria for circus artistes.

Evidence required for first applications

In order to establish the level of previous experience, applications for entertainers must be accompanied by:

    Advertising

    Posts must be advertised in an appropriate media that provides the best way of reaching suitably qualified resident workers allowing four weeks from the date the advertisement appears to receive applications.

    The advertisement should have been placed within the six months before the application for a work permit.

    The employer must provide with the application:

    • Evidence that a thorough and genuine search for a worker from the EEA was undertaken prior to casting an overseas national.
    • Proof of a full resident search including lists of all actors auditioned and offered the part and confirmation letters from agents who were approached.
    • Responses must mention the specific part which the auditions were to fill and must give valid reasons why any EEA national who was auditioned was not suitable or state if and why an actor considered for the part was unavailable.

    Length of issue

    The UK Border Agency normally give approval for the period stated on the contract. As pantomime is seasonal this will normally be for the period as it is unlikely that permits will be needed for the maximum period.

    Salary

    Payment should be commensurate with Equity's guidance on salary levels. The current rates can be found on Equity's website and are based mostly on negotiations with the Theatre Management Association and occasionally the Society of London Theatres may be involved in the negotiations.

    The salary must also meet the National Minimum Wage (NMW) regulations.

    Further information

    This criteria should be used in conjunction with the sports and entertainments guidance for employers when making a work permit application.

    The general criteria for work permit applications under the Sports and Entertainment criteria are available in the booklet 'Sports and Entertainment Work Permit - Guidance for Employers'. This guidance can be downloaded from the right side of this page or are available in paper form from the distribution centre on 0117 344 1471 between 0900 and 1700 Monday to Friday.

    For more information please contact us at:

    UK Border Agency
    Sports and Entertainments Team
    PO Box 3468
    Sheffield
    S3 8WA

    Phone: 0114 207 5910
    Fax: 0114 207 5875
    Email: ents.workpermits@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Application forms

Sports and Entertainments

Sports and Entertainments, extension of stay

Terms explained

  • Resident worker

    A person who is a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or is legally settled in the United Kingdom with permission to work here. In some cases, an employer who wishes to employ a person who is not a permanent resident must show that no resident worker could be found to take the job.

All glossary terms

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