Visa fees waived for Ukrainian musicians due to perform at Snape
The Ukraine Freedom Orchestra is due to play at Snape Maltings on August 8th
The home secretary's waived visa fees for a group of Ukrainian musicians who're due to perform in Suffolk over the summer.
The newly formed Ukraine Freedom Orchestra is due to play at Snape Maltings on August 8th, treating concertgoers to a selection of Beethoven, Chopin and Dvořák.
The musicians, who are are due to come to the UK next month, will also perform at events including BBC Proms and the Edinburgh International Festival for its 75th Anniversary.
Members needed a Tier 5 creative worker visa to perform in the UK costing £259 per person.
About 70 visas were needed, reportedly at a cost of over £18,000. The Home Office will now sort the paperwork out for free.
Ukraine Freedom Orchestra, which includes recent Ukrainian refugees, was formed to tour Europe and US this summer in "artistic defence" of their country.
Money raised from the tour will go to support Ukrainian artists.