Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for iHeartRadio.
International artists with their sights set on performing in the United States will now face higher working visa application fees and longer processing times, according to MusicTech.
These changes affect O visas, which cover "individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement", as well as P visas, typically for "groups of sustained international renown." Fees for O visas will see a 53% increase from $460 to $705, while the cost of applying for a P visa will go up 51% from $460 to $695.
Both visas will also see longer processing times for its premium service, going from 15 calendar days to 15 business days. The number of people covered by a single visa will also be capped at 25. All changes are set to take effect on October 2.
The new fees will have harsh effects on artists who rely on being able to tour across the United States for income and exposure. “It’s vital that British bands and artists can break America, the biggest music market in the world, but hikes in visa costs make this so much harder," acting UK Music CEO Tom Kiehl told Pitchfork. "For many, it’s a huge battle to break even on overseas tours. There is now a real risk that these increases will contribute to making U.S. tours unviable at what is already an immensely difficult time for the UK music industry. The UK Government needs to prioritize eliminating barriers to trade for touring musicians in a future U.S.-UK trade deal. President Trump needs to think again.”
You can read the full ruling here.