THE BEAST

Photo by Yvette de Wit on Unsplash

This year, international musicians aspiring to work in the United States will face a significant financial hurdle due to a sharp increase in visa petition fees. Starting April 1, the costs for petition-based O and P visas will more than double, marking the first time these fees surpass the $1,000 threshold.
Breakdown of the Fee Increases

O Visas: These visas are designated for individuals with "extraordinary" talent in fields such as business, entertainment, sports, and the arts. Originally priced at $460 (£366), the fee will surge by 129 percent to $1,055 (£841). The O visa permits artists to work in the US for up to three years.

P Visas: These visas, which cater to artists working in the US for shorter durations, will see a 121 percent increase from $460 (£366) to $1,015 (£809).
Initial Proposals and Backlash

Initially, the proposed fee hikes were even more substantial, with plans to increase by an additional $600 (£478), resulting in a 250 percent rise. However, these plans were met with widespread opposition and were ultimately scaled back following strong criticism from various organizations and campaigns.

The National Independent Venue Association was a significant voice in the backlash, arguing that the increased fees would pose "a severe economic and cultural threat to independent live entertainment" across the nation. Similarly, the #LetTheMusicMove campaign described the changes as "crippling" for artists, emphasizing that the ongoing cost of living crisis and the live sector's recovery from COVID-19 would make performing in the US prohibitively expensive for many emerging and mid-level artists.
The Rationale Behind the Increases

According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), this is the first increase in visa fees since 2016. The USCIS explained that the fee hikes are necessary to "recover its operating costs more fully and support timely processing of new applications." The agency noted that it is almost entirely funded by these fees, with approximately 96 percent of its funding coming from filing fees and only about four percent from congressional appropriations.
Additional Changes and Fees

In addition to the fee increases for O and P visas, other changes taking effect on April 1 include a new Asylum Programme Fee of $600 (£478) for sponsoring employers filing the I-129 form—a requirement for O and P visas. Nonprofits and smaller employers with 25 or fewer full-time employees will pay half of the I-129 fee.

Moreover, the fees for faster processing of applications will increase from $2,500 (£1,993) to $2,805 (£2,236) on February 26, with the premium processing window extending from 15 days to 15 business days.
The Impact on Artists and the Music Industry

The increase in visa fees has sparked considerable concern among artists and industry professionals. Numerous artists have highlighted the financial strain these changes will impose on their careers. With the live music sector still rebounding from the effects of the pandemic, the heightened costs could deter many international musicians from performing in the US, thereby affecting the cultural diversity and vibrancy of the American live entertainment scene.

For more detailed information on all visa fee changes, a complete breakdown is available. here at this link https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/frequently-asked-questions-on-the-uscis-fee-rule

In summary, while the USCIS aims to address its operational costs with these fee increases, the substantial rise in visa petition fees presents a formidable challenge for international musicians and the broader live entertainment industry in the US.