It might soon be harder for foreign bands to tour the United States
Heading out on any sort of international tour is never cheap—but for foreign acts wanting to hit the States, it’s going to start costing a decent amount more from their wallets.
Last week, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it would be implementing a series of cost increases on applications and petitions regarding immigration. One of those increases will affect the I-129 form, which is a requirement for non-immigrants who are looking to work in the US—such as musicians and their crews, athletes, actors, and anyone else who’s looking to temporarily profit while in the States.
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Effective on Dec. 23 at the end of this year, the price of the I-129 form will rise by 42 percent, increasing from $325 to $460 U.S. dollars per person. This of course means that the cost of touring will be thousands of dollars more expensive than in the past.
For bands that possess smaller markets in the US, this will undoubtedly hinder their abilities to make more frequent stops overseas. And even for much larger acts like Bring Me The Horizon, Parkway Drive, or the 1975—who have much larger crews—artists from around the world will be forced to re-evaluate their touring plans to ensure that their stint in the US will be well-received. It may also prompt bands to announce touring plans even further in advance to hype interest.
What do you think of the USCIS’s decision to raise the fee for nonimmigrant workers, and how do you believe it will affect your favorite international bands? Let us know in the comments section!
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