Author, RussianRoulette
original link right here:https://apnews.com/article/music-visa-free-interational-artists-immigration-4077f28ce201ab32817b60a650cbd79c?utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter
KPOP:
As of April 1st, the US government has now increased the visa fees for international artists and their crew to come oversees and perform.
Before April 1st the fee was $460 per person, and it has now been increased to $1655 per person.
The article also mentioned that if you cannot wait for the application to go through, there is an additional $2,805 expedited application fee.
The fee is also non refundable. If a tour stop gets canceled or the government rejects your application that money will not be refunded.
This fee is not limited to just the artists themselves, but also any:
- Managers, staff and crew
- Makeup artists/stylists that they bring along
- Band/ensemble people for any artists who perform to a live band
- And backup dancers
Pretty much if you are from the company and also going on the tour to help, you need to pay.
The only exception to this fee is if the artists are having a "showcase".
A showcase is when an artist is not performing for money just publicity and exposure. (So pretty much, the fee is only waived if you are performing for free.)
With such a large increase in visa prices, a lot of US based kpop fans are now panicking about what this means for the future of kpop concerts in the US.
This price increase can be a huge cost for any smaller kpop groups, especially the ones who have more fans internationally and tour often for the revenue.
Fans are either expecting a decrease in kpop concerts in the US, or a huge price jump in the already high-cost ticket prices.
I can't find the screenshots, but resell ticket prices for kpop concerts have gotten so expensive they are reselling for $100,000 to one person reselling IVE tickets for 1 million dollars 
Do you think this visa price increase will make an impact on US kpop performances and concerts?
Thanks for reading ~
