Help Geneviève Racette tour in USA

Hi, my name is Genevieve Racette, and I'm an independent singer-songwriter from Montreal. You might know me from my song "Someone," which features City and Colour.

I've dedicated my entire life to reaching where I am today. Traveling and sharing my music is my true calling. What many people don't know is that I need a special work permit called a "P2 permit" to perform in the USA. I've had to pay the Musicians Guild to process this permit through the USA Homeland Security, and it costs around $1000. Unfortunately, I never make money when I perform in the USA. I'm in the early stages of building my career and expanding my fan base. I'm putting in the groundwork, and from a financial perspective, it's a significant investment. My goal is to establish a presence in the American Folk music market, and I've been working towards this for years by attending conferences such as Folk Alliance International, NERFA, AMERICANAFEST, networking tirelessly, and making important connections to enable touring.

I'm currently on my fifth tour in the USA, and this is my third P2 permit, totaling over $3000 in processing fees. The income I receive from these shows varies between $80 and $400 per performance. When you factor in expenses like accommodations, food, rental cars, and paying musicians, it's easy to see how quickly the costs add up. On top of these financial challenges, I recently faced issues with US customs not allowing me to bring my merchandise across the border. Not being able to sell merchandise has resulted in a significant financial setback. The Musicians Guild provided unclear guidance regarding the rules and regulations for bringing merchandise across the border, leading to my second border crossing denial for this reason. This situation has personal repercussions as I am now flagged and will face difficulties crossing the border in the future, which is especially problematic given my American boyfriend.

Adding to the complexity, the Musicians Guild provided misinformation regarding visa extensions. They initially told me I was eligible for an extension, but after days of trying to apply for one, they informed me that I am not eligible which means I have to apply for an express P2 VISA. I have gigs booked, incredible opportunities that I've worked tirelessly to secure over an extended period. Unfortunately, I cannot afford the express visa application fee, which is around $3000 USD. I am now at a loss regarding how to make these gigs happen. After canceling numerous shows during the COVID pandemic, this situation is truly the last straw.

I'm reaching out to ask for your help in getting to the USA to perform these shows and recover from the financial setbacks caused by not being able to sell merchandise on my current tour. Your support would mean the world to me. Thank you.