Conference News February / March | Page 19

although prior authorisation is needed .

When temporarily transporting business samples or goods to the EU , you can apply for an ATA Carnet . ATA Carnets let you temporarily export commercial samples , trade fair or exhibition goods and professional equipment to countries that are part of the ATA Carnet
Do speakers need working visas ?
The situation regarding paid speakers from overseas presenting at a UK conference remains unclear . A source revealed that a clear answer from the Home Office on the issue has been chased . However , it is believed that for most business conferences , if a speaker is being paid they will need a work permit .
There are a couple of pieces of relevant guidance : the Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor : Permitted Activities notes that a visitor to the UK may attend meetings , conferences , seminars , interviews and give a one-off or short series of talks and speeches provided these are not organised as commercial events and will not make a profit for the organiser .
There are exemptions for professionals in academia and other professions according to the Immigration Rules Appendix V : Visitor which states that the following are permitted paid engagements :
• An academic who is highly qualified within their field of expertise , coming to examine students and / or participate in or chair selection panels , and have been invited by a UK higher education institution , or a UK-based research or arts organisation as part of that institution or organisation ’ s quality assurance processes
• An expert coming to give lectures in their subject area , where they have been invited by a higher education institution ; or a UK-based research or arts organisation , and this does not amount to filling a teaching position for the host organisation
• An overseas designated pilot examiner coming to assess UK-based pilots to ensure they meet the national aviation regulatory requirements of other countries , where they have been invited by an approved training organisation based in the UK that is regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority for that purpose
• A qualified lawyer coming to provide advocacy for a court or tribunal hearing , arbitration or other form of dispute resolution for legal proceedings within the UK , where they have been invited by a client
• A a professional artist , entertainer , or musician coming to carry out an activity directly relating to their profession , where they have been invited by a creative ( arts or entertainment ) organisation , agent or broadcaster based in the UK
• A professional sports person coming to carry out an activity directly relating to their profession , where they have been invited by a sports organisation , agent , or broadcaster based in the UK .
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