U.S. Artist Visa Fee Hike Postponed
It appears that our voices were heard.
Last January, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a proposal to significantly increase fees, an increase that would massively impact touring performing artists. The proposal was met with massive international and domestic response and advocacy, and since that time, the cultural sector has been waiting for USCIS to respond to the thousands of comments submitted by the cultural sector.
Yesterday, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shared in its spring regulatory agenda that a final rulemaking will not occur until March 2024.
The League of American Orchestras reports: “USCIS is continuing to consider public feedback submitted in response to the proposal, which included numerous comments from the arts sector, opposing proposals that would more than triple the current artist visa filing fee, cap the number of beneficiaries for group petitions, and lengthen the time USCIS has to respond to petitions filed via Premium Processing Service. An announcement of final rules in March 2024 would set new fee levels that could differ from the proposed fees, confirm any policy changes, and also set a date by which any changes would take effect.”