![\"Canadian](\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/images\/musicians.jpg\" "\\"Canadian")
<\/p>\nCanadian musicians looking to perform in the U.S. are being hit in the pocket with a visa fee hike of more than 40 per cent.<\/p>\n
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US Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced the rates for a P2 performer visa are to rise from US$325 to $US$460 from December 20.<\/p>\n
The Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM) says the increased fee will mean some performers will have to seriously consider whether they can afford to cross the border for a show.<\/p>\n
Longest international border in world at\u00a08,891km<\/strong>,\u00a02,475km<\/strong>\u00a0of which is with Alaska.<\/p>\n 400,000<\/strong>\u00a0people and\u00a0$2.4 billion<\/strong>\u00a0in trade cross the border each day.<\/p>\n Canada and U.S. are\u00a0second<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0fourth<\/strong>\u00a0largest countries in the world by area.<\/p>\n Canadian provinces and territories with U.S. borders:\u00a0Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick.<\/strong><\/p>\n US states with Canadian borders:\u00a0Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine.<\/strong><\/p>\n The federation has been lobbying \u2013 through its parent group in the U.S. \u2013 for the proposed visa hike to be scrapped. However, the group has been unsuccessful meaning the fee hike will come into force before Christmas.<\/p>\n Liana White, CFM\u2019s Executive Director, said: \u201cWhile we recognize that for Canadians the USCIS artist visa process may be more simplified than other musicians seeking to enter the United States under the same permits; however, a fee surge of this kind adds an additional and unacceptable financial burden on our members.\u201d<\/p>\n Given the fee hike now looks unavoidable, the CFM is now switching its attention to processing times for the P2 visa, which have risen to as long as four months recently.<\/p>\n Musicians say they find it difficult to plan so far ahead, and often need a visa more quickly if they get the opportunity of a booking.<\/p>\n The CFM has advised all performers with plans to go to the U.S. to get their applications in before December 20 to avoid the increased fee.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Canada is set to take issue with a U.S. policy that means Canadians admitting to using marijuana when trying to cross the border can face an indefinite ban.<\/p>\n Anyone admitting to \u2018committing a crime involving moral turpitude\u2019, regardless of conviction, can be prevented from crossing the border and banned.<\/p>\n Pot use fits this description and this means there are significant consequences if you confess historic marijuana use to a border agent.<\/p>\n Several Canadians have been issued with bans, with their only recourse being an appeals process which could result in a travel waiver, although accompanying costs are high.<\/p>\n Ralph Goodale, the federal government public safety minister with responsibility for the Canada Border Services Agency, says he will seek discussions on the topic with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, describing it as a \u2018ludicrous situation\u2019 in a television interview.<\/p>\n Interested employers:\u00a0<\/strong>Kindly\u00a0contact us<\/a>\u00a0here to receive further information.<\/p>\n Interested candidates:<\/strong>\u00a0Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our\u00a0free on-line evaluation<\/a>. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.<\/p>\n Recent News Articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n
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