U.S. Department Of Homeland Security’s Proposed Law Could Drastically Impact K-Pop Tours In The U.S
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is proposing a law that includes raising the cost of visas for foreign artists.
K-Pop artists often include the U.S. in their world tours, typically making several stops in different states across the country.
K-Pop artists have even been open about the energy they get by performing in the U.S. Recently TWICE‘s Chaeyoung explained just how different their tour in the U.S. was from their Korean tour.
But if the proposed law comes to fruition, K-Pop fans in the U.S. may see fewer of their favorite idols having concerts.
The proposed law includes a rate increase for international visas. For O-type visa petitions, a temporary worker visa, the rate would increase from $460 to $1,655 USD — an astounding increase of 260%.
The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the individual who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements.
— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
For P-type visa petitions intended for performing artists, the rate would increase from $460 to $1,615 USD — an increase of 251%.
The P-1 entertainment visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals who are athletes, artists, and entertainers to enter into the U.S. for a specific event, competition, or performance.
— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
The reason for the dramatic increase in rates, according to the Department of Homeland Security, is an imbalance between high demand and insufficient staff at Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Many K-Pop fans have voiced their concern about the proposed new rates that could possibly dissuade groups from performing in the U.S.
done! I can’t imagine how much this would hurt idol groups and fans alike 😭😭😭
— jas – stan ily:1 and mave 🥺🥰 (@forever_once__) February 27, 2023
You can read more about other changes to K-Pop tours here.
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