March 14th, 2018
Pearle * - Live Performance Europe, welcomes the proposal for the EU common visa policy.
For the music and performing arts sector, it is essential to have transparent rules when a third-country national requires a visa to enter the Schengen zone. A harmonized approach as regards the procedures is a step in the right direction. The proposal for applications is a welcome step forward in accommodating the needs of the sector in preparing artistic tours.
For artists regularly performing in Schengen it is also an improvement in the validity of multiple entry visas in the future. Need to be able to invite a third-country national artist for example in the performance of a specific role in a performance.
Pearle * deplores the fact that the Commission proposes to increase the visa fee from 60 Euros to 80 Euros as it would put an important financial pressure on the financial situation of the live performance sector. As it usually concerns the European organizers of the visa fees, the cost of living in Europe. Pearle therefore calls upon the co-legislators for an exemption in the case of visa application by touring groups and maintain the initial fee of € 60 in such cases.
When the visa fee becomes a third year, it is the best way to go for groups (for example, an orchestra with 100 musicians, or a circus group with 80 artists and touring staff) including the travel, accommodation, subsistence costs, artists' fees. , promotional costs, technical costs and more.
