according to an article
WHY HAVE THE FEES JUMPED SO MUCH?
Two reasons: They hadn’t in some time, and because immigration officials are scrutinizing the process more closely.
The last increase was in 2016, when fees grew from $325 to $460.
The U.S. government is “putting more and more burden on the application process,” says Castro of BAL Sports and Entertainment Practice, which specializes in visas for musicians, entertainers and athletes.
He says 20 years ago, applications were just two or three pages. Now, they’re 15 or 20 pages.
“And those are just the forms before supporting evidence,” he says. “Now I’m submitting documents that are 200 pages, 300 pages long just to explain why this band should be traveling throughout the United States.”
Officials “might have done better to look at inefficiencies in the system to save money,” he says.
Paisey says he’s heard that the increase will allow the USCIS to “get rid of the backlog… But is that because you’re going to employ more staff or is it probably because you’re going to get less applications?” he wonders, because it’s going to benefit “people who can afford to go than rather than who wants to go or has the fan base to go.”
More info here:
Frequently Asked Questions on the USCIS Fee Rule | USCIS
I, along with thousands of others, have sent a letter to my congress asking them to oppose this shit.
Tell Congress to oppose visa fee increases for international artists (actionnetwork.org)