251% increase in Visa fees to come to US!

billyshakes · May 26

“Poetry fettered fetters the human race. Nations are destroyed or flourish in proportion as their poetry, painting and music are destroyed or flourish” -William Blake

Keith Murch · May 27

I am a retired Canadian and my full time home is here in Canada. My wife and I also own a property in Florida where we spend much of the winter months. I love spending time there and Canadian “snowbirds” make a significant contribution to Florida’s economy. I have looked into the possibility of playing a few gigs while I’m in Florida and found that the bureaucracy and cost of a P2 Visa are so prohibitive, it is basically not possible. And that was already the case before the Visa price increase. Its unfortunate that a visiting musician can’t go out periodically and share their music with others. I would be happy to register and pay a realistic fee for a Visa, as well as pay taxes on any earnings. Unfortunately, it isn’t structured that way and I just can't perform legally at all in the US.

Keith

Buco · May 27

The biggest irony is that according to the article, the musicians from the US can simply travel to majority of other countries and perform under the tourism rules.

Keith Murch · May 29

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/117626#Comment_117626

I am not sure of the details, but I understand it is a very simple process for an American musician to legally perform in Canada.

Keith

Russell Letson · May 29

This is going to affect our local Folk Society's bookings--and our mission, which includes presenting as broad a range of traditions as possible. Every year we host Canadian artists, along with some Scandanavian acts that (unsurprisingly) include Minnesota in their North American tours. We're a small operation, but we manage to offer two concerts a month during our 9-month season, and every year there are international acts--next year's season kicks off with the Tannahill Weavers, who have played for us twice before. This may well be the last time we're able to do that.

I'm very curious about the roots of these changes--not only the costs but the enormously inflated application documents. I wonder how much of the money side is a result of long-term underfunding of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (perhaps parallel to the way the GOP has starved the IRS) and how much of the bureaucratic side is a result of immigration and security paranoia.

Phil · May 29

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/117625#Comment_117625

Quote :"...Its unfortunate that a visiting musician can’t go out periodically and share their music with others..."

Could you busk? If you'd only be playing a small venue such as a market or cafe, would anyone really be bothered about enforcing a musician visa requirements?

(...bet you can still readily purchase a gun in Florida 😎).

Keith Murch · May 29

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/117640#Comment_117640

I guess a non- resident could try to play for cash in a small venue, but I’m sure it is still technically illegal. For me, it’s just not worth taking the chance. If you are caught breaking any laws, you can be banned from future entry to the US. We have a winter home there and I’m not willing to risk that for a gig. As you said, no problem buying a gun though. They’re for sale everywhere. I stopped at a yard sale in Florida recently because I saw a guitar there, and the guy had a hand gun for sale on a table in his driveway.

Regarding the busking idea, I don’t really know what the rules are about that. I would be surprised if anyone would go after you for that though. It seems like a bit of a step down from playing professionally in nice venues, but maybe that’s the only option if you want to play for an audience.

Keith