Good news for touring musicians! The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has decided to delay a previously proposed rate hike that would have more than tripled the cost of visas for international musicians touring in the US.
The proposed plan, announced in January, would affect O visas, or temporary work visas, and P visas, a subtype of which is specifically intended for those with "extraordinary ability in the arts," raising the cost of visas from about $460 USD to over $1,600.
USCIS has now opted to delay the rate increase until at least March 2024, and is considering lowering the rate [via Consequence].
When the plan was proposed in February, it was met with widespread opposition from the music community. A comment page opened by USCIS received almost 8,000 submissions, nearly all voicing opposition to the plan.
"USCIS proposal to drastically increase visa fees for international performers poses a severe economic and cultural threat to independent live entertainment in the US," said Stephen Parker, executive director of the National Independent Venue Association. "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."
The proposed plan, announced in January, would affect O visas, or temporary work visas, and P visas, a subtype of which is specifically intended for those with "extraordinary ability in the arts," raising the cost of visas from about $460 USD to over $1,600.
USCIS has now opted to delay the rate increase until at least March 2024, and is considering lowering the rate [via Consequence].
When the plan was proposed in February, it was met with widespread opposition from the music community. A comment page opened by USCIS received almost 8,000 submissions, nearly all voicing opposition to the plan.
"USCIS proposal to drastically increase visa fees for international performers poses a severe economic and cultural threat to independent live entertainment in the US," said Stephen Parker, executive director of the National Independent Venue Association. "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."
