Published on
September 6, 2025Starting October 1, 2025, the U.S. will implement a $250 entry fee for travelers from India, Brazil, Mexico, and China, a move designed to ease border management costs. However, this fee could have far-reaching consequences for the global music tourism industry. Major U.S. music festivals and industry events, such as Coachella and NAMM, rely heavily on international attendees, and this added cost could discourage many from attending. For aspiring musicians, fans, and professionals from these key markets, the fee might create financial barriers, threatening to disrupt the cultural and economic energy that these events bring to the U.S.Beginning October 1, 2025, travelers from India, Brazil, Mexico, and China will be required to pay a new $250 entry fee to visit the United States. This fee, officials state, aims to help cover the increasing expenses of border security and management. However, the ramifications of this new policy may extend well beyond the financial side of travel, particularly in the realm of the music industry.Advertisement These countries represent significant audiences for major American music festivals and industry events. Festivals like Coachella, Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), and Ultra Music Festival, as well as industry conferences like NAMM, all draw large numbers of international visitors, many from the affected regions. The added $250 fee, combined with the costs of visas, flights, and accommodations, may compel a large portion of these attendees to reconsider their trips. For many young festival-goers or aspiring artists hoping to break into the scene, this extra financial burden could prove to be a substantial barrier.The economic impact of this fee extends far beyond ticket sales. The U.S. live music economy has long depended on international participation to thrive. Conferences like NAMM, for example, rely on a global exchange of ideas, technol …
