As if the process of obtaining a visa to tour in the United States wasn’t already difficult and byzantine enough (resulting in several tour cancelations every single year), there is now another hurdle bands from anywhere else in the world will need to overcome to tour this shithole country: money.
The price of a P class visa, which applies to most bands, has increased 51% and will now cost $695. The O class visa fee, which also applies to some artists, has increased 53% from $460 to $705. There is an official waiting period of 15 days, although in the past these issues have taken significantly longer for many bands. An expedited application can be purchased for $1,000.
While a difference of $200-$300 might not seem like a big deal compared to the overall expense of touring, small costs tend to mount up, and it’s yet another obstacle among many for foreign bands to get here. What’s more, amidst the uncertainty of what the touring economy will look like as the pandemic subsides, it’s one more deterrent that could prevent bands from booking tours here, especially smaller, budget-minded acts for whom every dollar counts.
The Department of Homeland Security will put the new fee schedule into effect on October 2.
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