Movements of foreign artists
Difficulties obtaining visas and long waits
Considering that the difficulties foreign artists experience in obtaining visas are a threat to numerous festivals and undermine quality programmes, several members of Parliament have alerted the government to “the concerns of numerous organizers of shows.” 1Several African bands, albeit world-famous, have been reported as being refused entry into France. Despite the directive of 19 February 2008, which advises consular services to facilitate the granting of visas to African artists, the Cabaret Frappé festival in Grenoble was seriously compromised following the refusal of visas to Congolese artists, who as a result were unable to give their concert.
Nb > The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs had indeed instructed all French consular and diplomatic staff posted in Africa to issue visas to nationals having artistic, cultural, academic or research-related occupations. These instructions, which among other things apply to African nationals having already resided in France, relate to the possibility of fast-tracking the granting of circulation visas to those who request them: short-stay visas limited to three months each time, the validity of which can be extended to five years.Processing visa applications and waiting time
To address these concerns, the Ministry of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and United Development has pointed out that one of its remits is to fight illegal immigration, and that applications filed by artists must be examined closely by the consular services, “because experience shows that visa applications filed by certain groups of artists, albeit world-famous, can in certain cases conceal forms of illegal immigration to France.” 2
To summarize the key points :
- Some organizers have had difficulty obtaining visas for foreign artists.
- As far as African artists are concerned, instructions had been issued with regard to the possibility of fast-tracking their applications.
- French organizations hiring these artists must make allowance not only for the time needed to obtain visas but also for the time involved in processing temporary work permits.
