Artistes’ visa fee soars

Local musicians are now feeling the pinch of the "drastic" US visa hike that came into effect almost a year ago.

Speaking with THE WEEKEND STAR, Frankie Campbell, spokesperson for the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates, said the increase has been having a negative impact on veteran musicians.

"It's definitely affecting us to get the visa. After COVID, a lot of the shows cut out for a lot of Jamaican artistes, especially in Europe. And now with the US raising the fee by 20 per cent, come on, it's crazy. So we the older artistes, with a smaller target audience [are] more concerned about the cost because it's rough," he shared, adding that to apply for a "artiste/group visa," is now over J$2 million.

"So if you're a young band trying to make it globally, it's really hard on dem because where are they gonna find that kind of investment?" he questioned.

However, he pointed out that prior to the visa increase, the younger talents were making it hard for some local artistes to receive international bookings because of their pricey demands from promoters.

"They might have a reasonable following in Jamaica but it hasn't reached abroad yet, but they want to charge what the big boys are charging. But it's not just us, the entire industry is feeling it now," Campbell added.

On April 1, 2024, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) introduced a visa fee increase from US$460 (approximately J$71,580) to over US$1,615 (approximately J$251,310) per musician application, the first bump since 2016. According to the USCIS website, the increase allows the organisation to "recover our operating costs more fully and support timely processing of new applications".

UK-based immigration attorney Terrica Jennings, Esq, echoed Campbell's sentiments but stressed that several young deejays are also feeling the pinch. She underscored that since the fee increase, the costs and delays have made things "tougher for immigrants across the board - especially entertainers trying to work in the US".

"The recent fee hikes have hit my Caribbean clients particularly hard. I've seen independent artistes struggle to afford these costs, making it even harder to perform in the US," Jennings, Esq told THE WEEKEND STAR.

"The O-1 and P visas, the most commonly used by artistes and entertainers, have seen significant price increases over the past year. The O-1 visa for extraordinary artistes jumped 130 per cent, rising from US$460 to US$1,055 (approximately J$164,168), while the P visa for touring performers increased 120 per cent, from US$460 to US$1,015 (approximately J$157,944). Premium processing, which some artistes rely on to meet tight schedules, now costs US$2,805 (approximately J$436,486), making it an added expense many simply can't afford," she added.

In addition to the hiked fees, Jennings said processing times are "longer than ever".

"I've had clients wait months, missing performances and losing income. The paperwork burden has also intensified. O-1 and P visas already required extensive evidence--media coverage, contracts, tour schedules--but stricter requirements now demand even more documentation, making the process even more challenging. Many artistes, especially those without teams, are giving up altogether," she said while noting that the legal costs have also risen.

However, she stated that "these barriers have already caused the US to miss out on emerging talent--not just from Jamaica, but also from South America and beyond".

"When these artistes are priced out, everyone loses. Festivals, venues, and audiences miss out on the rich, diverse music that fuels the industry. If this trend continues, the US risks shutting out the very voices that keep its arts scene vibrant and global," Jennings, Esq opined. She noted that "USCIS says they're working to speed things up, but the backlog is still a major issue".

However, since President Donald Trump took office, she said that his travel policies have impacted touring and many other aspects for entertainers.

"Yes, under the new administration, some entertainers are facing more scrutiny when travelling to the US. Some of our Caribbean clients have reported being sent to secondary screening upon arrival, even with valid visas and solid travel histories," she shared.

"On top of that, the Trump administration is looking at new travel restrictions that could affect up to 41 countries, including five Caribbean islands--though Jamaica isn't on the list. It's not official yet, but the possibility alone is already creating uncertainty for entertainers who rely on performing in the US. With stricter visa approvals and more travel hurdles, planning performances in the US is becoming way more frustrating," she stated.

Campbell said though the restrictions proposed by Trump haven't been in full effect yet where they are impacting the local acts, he is "worried".

"The ban that he's proposing on countries all over the Caribbean, it mek mi feel like wi don't know what we doing - mi don't know if I can move or not, suh a dat a my problem now. It's not like we know what he's doing so we can't be sure. I just don't know what's happening and we don't know what they'll do next and it's very concerning for me...and it's kinda scary," he shared.

Jennings, Esq said that more than ever, entertainers fear visa revocation "if they say the wrong thing upon entry, increased scrutiny, publicised detentions, and embarrassment more than ever".

"USCIS is now publicly sharing photos of detained individuals, which was not the norm before. Many artistes are more afraid of missed shows and financial losses. With reports of possible travel bans on some Caribbean islands, uncertainty is at an all-time high, making many hesitant to travel or submit applications," she stressed.