Musicians Rally Followers to Oppose U.S. Tour Visa Hike
Musicians in the US and overseas have spent the final a number of weeks rallying followers towards proposed will increase in visa prices, and now, they’re pushing for a remaining surge of help. Visa prices for worldwide artists might practically triple below a brand new coverage, making a doubtlessly prohibitive barrier to working musicians. At present (March 13) is the final day for public commentary on the matter, ending at 11:59 p.m. Japanese. Discover extra info right here.
The Division of Homeland Safety’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Companies proposed the visa adjustments in January, arguing that the brand new charges have been needed resulting from elevated prices on the company. Below the brand new tips, O-1 visas for “people with extraordinary capacity or achievement” would enhance from $460 to $1,655. The P-2 visas for particular person or group performers would make the same bounce, from $460 to $1,615.
The Union of Musicians and Allied Staff led a letter-writing marketing campaign of its personal in response to the proposed enhance, aiming for 1,600 letters talking out towards the brand new coverage. Artists like The Climate Station, Geese Ltd., and Primal Scream’s Simone Marie Butler have all spoken out towards the upper charges. In the UK, Let the Music Transfer has inspired British musicians—who’ve been mired in deeper European visa issues on account of Brexit—to take motion, too.
