Steep Artist Visa Fee Increases and Policy Changes to Take Effect October 2, 2020

August 6, 2020

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has denied the requests outlined in detailed comments (PDF) submitted by the League and national nonprofit arts stakeholders in response to the DHS December proposal to impose very steep increases to some of its filing fees, including for O and P artist visas applications. DHS finalized (PDF) its fee increases and policy changes, to take effect beginning October 2, 2020: 

• The filing fee for O petitions will increase by 53 percent from $460 to $705 per petition, utilizing a new Form I-129O
• The filing fee for P petitions will increase by 51 percent from $460 to $695 per petition, utilizing a new Form I-129MISC
• Beneficiaries will be capped at 25 people per petition
• Premium Processing will lengthen to a window of fifteen federal working days rather than calendar days

For complete details, please see our news item on the League’s dedicated website, Artists from Abroad. When Forms I-129O and I-129MISC become available, Artists from Abroad will be updated with new templates and guidance. The League continues to advocate for improved policies and will reiterate the U.S. Performing Arts Sector Request for COVID-Related Flexibility from USCIS and Department of State (PDF).