US VISAS FOR PERFORMING MUSICIANS

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That this House recognises the difficulties for UK musicians obtaining work visas to enter the US to perform; notes that the American performer visa application process requires face-to-face meetings in either Belfast or London which may require expensive overnight stays for musicians and bands that live outside these cities; acknowledges that musicians, composers, songwriters and lyricists contribute £1.7 billion to the UK economy, yet more than half of musicians earn under £20,000 a year; believes that delays to the US visa application process can lead to flights, shows and, in some cases, full tours being cancelled; further believes that the UK music industry's export potential is strengthened by the ability of UK performers to tour key markets such as the US; and hopes that the US embassy will be willing to engage directly with musicians and their representatives in the UK to devise a workable system for UK musicians to perform in the US.