The UK music industry has called on Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch to help block a major proposed rise in US visa costs for touring UK musicians and crew. The proposed increase by the US Department of Homeland Security would see fees for certain types of touring visas rise by at least 251%.
UK Music, the collective voice for the industry, has written to the Cabinet Minister urging her to persuade her American counterparts to drop the plans. In the letter, signed by organisations from across the UK music industry, UK Music Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin urges the Business and Trade Secretary help prevent a major blow to the UK music industry and its talent pipeline, which is vital in creating the global UK stars of the future.
Music industry leaders are also urging Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to join efforts to scrap the massive hike, which is also being fiercely opposed by the American music industry.
The USA is the world’s largest music market and the second largest market for touring UK artists, after the EU. With the ongoing cost of living crisis and the UK’s live music sector still recovering from the impact of COVID-19, the increases would make it unaffordable for many British acts to work and perform in the world’s biggest music market.
For many UK artists, a US visa is already difficult to obtain. Last year, even before the proposed price increases were announced, Mercury Prize-winning artist Little Simz cancelled her US tour, citing the financial unviability for an independent artist.
In a survey by UK Music members, Music Managers Forum (MMF) and the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), 70% of their members said the increased visa charges would mean they would no longer be able to tour the USA. Data from LIVE, which represents the live music sector, shows that these proposals will put 50% of all UK tours in the USA under threat.
The proposals mean that petition fees for the P visa – used for acts to perform temporarily in the US – will increase by 251% from $460 (£385) to $1,615 (£1352) and the O visa – used for a longer-term working visit – would climb by 260% from $460 (£385) to $1,655 (£1,375).
