Draconian US visa price increases delayed

Proposed increases of 250% and more for artist visas have been delayed. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) bowed to pressure from the touring industry and Congress. They will delay the increase until March 2024 and hold talks to lower the rate increase altogether.

While these visas are for musicians and performers entering the US, other countries have threatened to retaliate if the increases are implemented by drastically increasing fees for US artists performing abroad.

The proposed hikes would increase the O-type visa petitions rate from $460 to $1,655, including an Asylum Program Fee. P-type visas, including P-1B petitions, would rise by 251%.

“a severe economic and cultural threat to independent live entertainment in the U.S.”

NIVA, NITO, and other US trade groups involved in live music and entertainment have worked together to fight the increases.

“The USCIS proposal to drastically increase visa fees for international performers poses a severe economic and cultural threat to independent live entertainment in the U.S. It undermines the vital role these performers play on our stages,” said Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA). “A 2023 survey of independent venues, festivals, and promoters revealed that international talent accounts for over a quarter of performances at an average venue and can even make up 100 percent of performances for Latin music promoters. While we appreciate the USCIS decision to delay final rulemaking on this issue until March 2024, NIVA will continue working to stop the proposed fee increases. We applaud Congressman Frost (D-Florida) for his dedication to preserving the accessibility and affordability of artist visas.”

Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, President of the Skyline Artists Agency, and a Berklee College Of Music professor.