U.K. entertainment industry bodies are taking action after U.S. performer visa fees were quietly hiked by the Department of Homeland Security in January.
Now a plethora of entertainment bodies including the Association of British Orchestras, the Musicians’ Union and the Independent Society of Musicians have written to Kemi Badenoch, the U.K. Secretary of State for business and trade, asking her to appeal to the U.S. to reconsider the fees. According to the letter, 70% of music industry professionals surveyed by the LetTheMusicMove campaign said they would not be able to tour the U.S. due to the visa changes, with the costs potentially wiping out over a third of any potential profits a tour might make.