U.S. visa rules for performers and artists are preventing cultural exchanges with the international community, according to an article in The New York Times. The process has become expensive, arbitrary, and lengthy in the past decade. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that requests for standard performer's visas dropped by 25 percent in the period between 2006-2010. Foreign performers and ensembles are finding that it is not worth the effort to navigate the frustrating visa process. A foreign artist must apply for a visa through DHS and appear for an in-person interview. If the petition is granted, the State Department will issue the visa at an embassy abroad.
The typical filing fee is $325 per application, but DHS offers a "premium processing fee" of $1,225 that purports to guarantee a response in two weeks. But DHS often will request additional requests for evidence, which results in delays up to 6 months. Additionally, foreign artists are required to sign tour contracts before being eligible to apply for a visa, made even more difficult when combining American dates with tour dates in other countries. The result? Cancelled U.S tour dates and financial loss for artists and their management teams, concert promoters, as well as disappointed fans. By comparison, foreign artists are able to obtain Canadian visas in two weeks and British visas in 8 to 10 days.
For more on foreign artist visa applications, click here for USCIS eligibility criteria for O visas and P visas.
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