The UK events industry is calling for emergency visa reforms with the EU.
The post-Brexit UK is like an “access crisis” with its major trading partner, the EU. New research from the event business warns that UK event experts are facing increasing restrictions on working in the EU, threatening the industry’s global competitiveness.
The new whitepaper highlights the lack of visa clauses in the EU-UK Trade Cooperation Agreement (TCA) creating a fragmented system in 27 member states, highlighting that UK institutions and freelancers face spiral visa fees, deficits and legal risks.
In some cases, organizers face fines and deportation and travel bans are prohibited because they do not comply with complex rules (varies from country to country).
“The lack of dedicated visa categories for event delivery professionals is making our industry suffocating,” said Mike Fletcher, director of business news and content for the event. “We’ve seen UK organizations lose contracts, freelancer prices fall out of the market, and EU clients turn their backs on uncertainty and costs.”
The paper asks the UK government to resume its TCA and negotiate an exemption for event experts. It helps agencies navigate work requirements along with country-specific visa guidance and centralized support services.
They also encourage organizers to incorporate visa timelines into their projects. BOE hopes for greater coordination between the UK and EU industrial groups to restore better systems mobility.
“We are already discussing these recommendations with the All-Party Congress group for the event,” Fletcher added. “[But] Without meaningful changes, the future of cross-border event delivery depends on balance. ”
Whitepaper visas and work permits for the EU’s UK Event Business can be downloaded here.
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