United States is all about to introduce certain changes in its immigration policies for overseas artists and performers. The chief of the US immigration is all set to make efforts to deal with the problems faced by foreign performers and artist especially about their visa denials. Since last year, many complaints came from Hollywood celebrities and performing artists about their visa denials which lead to delay in shows and performances.

There have been delays in the immigration process for O and P visas which are special category of visas for artists and performers. Last year, the Skirball Cultural Centre in Los Angeles faced with the cancellation of its performances of Argentine music group because they were not issued the visas by California immigration department. In fact, another Indian group was supposed to perform at a California festival but couldn’t do it because they too were not issued the visas by California immigration.

The problem is quite serious as this directly affects the art and culture of the nation. This also makes it difficult for artists to freely continue their cultural exchange activities within the nation. Denial rates for O visas which are issued to individuals increased from 9.6 percent to 19.6 percent and P visas which are issued to groups have increased from 11.1 percent to 26.8 percent this year.

Immigration chief Mayorkas has decided to consider the matter more seriously so that the procedure of judging the visa application of foreign artist would be more consistent and transparent.