‘A big blow!’

Effective April 1, entertainers from around the world will have to pay more than double in visa fees after the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) instituted a 250 per cent increase for global musicians hoping to perform in the United States (US).

AP reported on Tuesday that the USCIS has raised visa fees for global musicians hoping to tour in the US from US$460 per application to between US$1,615 and US$1,655 after April 1. Bands and ensemble groups would pay per performer. Expedited processing would cost an additional US$2,805 per application. The countries to be impacted were not listed. However, all international musicians require work authorisation to perform in the US. There are few exemptions: Those are reserved for “showcases” through the Visa Waiver Programme, where international artistes perform exclusively at official showcases, without pay and for exposure.

For some in the local industry, the increase would pose a tremendous challenge. “It’s a big blow,” said Frankie Campbell, spokesperson for the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates (JAVAA) in an interview with The Gleaner.

“Two hundred and fifty per cent of anything is huge. And this doesn’t take into consideration that you have to get a lawyer in the US to first file for you before the process can even begin. So that’s additional cost going on a now increased fee,” Campbell added.

On top of the increase in fees and additional expenses incurred by a lawyer, the industry veteran went on to explain that the documentation process is not for the faint of heart.

“The additional cost for the lawyer is very important, because the actual paperwork process is extremely tedious. You have to find people that to use as recommendation, which shows you are someone that people want to see. You will start and sometimes you’ll be waiting up to two years,” Campbell said.

Gareth Paisey, singer of the independent, seven-piece Welsh band Los Campesinos!, told AP that applications can be 15 or 20 pages.

“And those are just the forms before supporting evidence,” he says. “Now I’m submitting documents that are 200 pages, 300 pages long just to explain why this band should be travelling throughout the United States.”

ONE-SIDED AFFAIR

Among the debates over the fees, comes a question of equality. That is, whether Americans are faced with the same stringent measures they require of other countries – Frankie says it’s a hard no for him.

“Gone are days when Americans would travel the world, including the Caribbean, on nothing but a driver’s licence [but] it is a one-sided affair if you ask me. And it’s only since 9-11 things changed and passports became the in-thing for international travel,” he said.

On the other end of the equality spectrum, there are some who believe that veteran musicians, like those supported by the JAVAA, and less experienced entertainers, are the only ones affected by the change.

Campbell backed the point, adding that “not everyone is a Beres Hammond”, while noting there are some who will be discouraged to go through with the visa application process. However, one member of the entertainment fraternity is encouraging small artistes not to give up.

Businessman-turned-record label owner, Shawn ‘Ciga’ Baptiste, told The Gleaner that while the increase is unfortunate, entertainers should keep pushing forward.

“It is just the way of the world right now. Everything raise and increasing, but that doesn’t mean anyone should not give the process a go. One performance abroad could be your big break,” Baptiste said.

However, it is to be noted that CIGA also manages one of dancehall’s biggest names, Beenie Man. And according to Baptiste, the entertainer and his team will have no trouble regarding the increase.

Campbell agreed with the businessman on the point of not being afraid to give the process a go, and has issued a challenge to all entertainers.

“Put in the work. This is the time to go out and just run the road red once you get the permit. You don’t want at the end of your one or two years that you are unable to see your profit cause lawyer and visa eat it out. So I am imploring everyone, do the work,” Campbell said.

kenrick.morgan@gleanerjm.com