The U.S. State Department is proposing a program that would require visitors to pay bail of up to $15,000 (R$82,000 at the current exchange rate) before entering the country.
The new measure includes people traveling for business, such as live performances. The measure affects musicians on international tours, who will face a significant new cost to perform in the United States.
As explained by Metal Injection , the visa would be valid for 12 months and would be intended for “applicants from countries with high rates of overstaying or weak internal security and identity verification systems.” The bail amounts paid may vary depending on the applicant's country of origin and may be refunded if the visitor fulfills all visa conditions.
How does this visa affect bands and artists in Latin America?
Current law includes the Visa Waiver Program, which covers most of Europe, Australia, Japan, and some other countries that do not require a visa to enter the United States. And these countries continued to be exempt from bail.
However, the fee will apply to countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe, which currently require a visa to enter the United States. Now, visitors may face the new fees. The State Department will release the full list of affected countries when the rule goes into effect.
Since Brazilians need a visa to enter the United States, this will affect our bands, DJs, and solo artists. Currently, smaller artists use the B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visa categories for short-term commitments in the US, such as performances and promotional tours. Artists who do not qualify for more specialized visa categories use these. The specialized visas used by larger bands are: P-1 (internationally recognized artists) or O-1 (extraordinary ability).
Therefore, if the new bail requirement is implemented, it could significantly increase the initial costs of a US tour, putting shows across the country out of reach for smaller, independent artists and emerging international bands.
Larger national artists may be able to absorb the cost with the help of record labels and promoters. However, independent artists may be forced to cancel already scheduled tours and even avoid performing in the United States.
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