TwoSet Violin Postpones World Tour Following US Visa Denial

The Australian musical comedy duo TwoSet Violin, consisting of Brett Yang and Eddy Chen, has announced the postponement of their upcoming world tour due to the denial of Yang’s U.S. visa application. The duo was scheduled to perform in major cities such as Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles this July, but the denial, which occurred on May 15, has thrown their plans into disarray.

The performers applied for the O-1B visa, designated for individuals with extraordinary abilities in the arts. While Chen's application was approved without issue, Yang faced additional scrutiny and was ultimately denied based on what U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) deemed unsatisfactory evidence. Yang expressed confusion over the decision, particularly since he had successfully obtained U.S. visas for previous tours, which were conducted under different visa categories.

According to Yang, the rejection is particularly distressing as it not only affects the duo’s ability to perform but also impacts their fans and associated production teams. "It hurts fans quite a lot – people buy tickets, fly to different cities, book accommodations... But we also had orchestras involved and our agency," he stated. The duo has incurred significant costs, totaling nearly $20,000, throughout the visa application process, including legal fees and production expenses for the tour.

TwoSet Violin, formed in 2014, quickly gained popularity for their unique blend of classical music and comedy. With over 4.3 million subscribers on YouTube and 1.2 million followers on TikTok, they have become influential figures in making classical music more accessible. In light of their growing profile, they opted to apply for the O-1B visa this time, reflecting their status as significant cultural contributors.

Their agency, KD Schmid, is now working to address the situation by submitting a second application for Yang's visa. The USCIS has not publicly commented on the specifics of Yang’s case but has indicated that it generally does not discuss individual immigration cases. Yang is hopeful that the second application will yield a favorable outcome, stating, "We’re still pending the second request for evidence response via a lawyer."

Despite the setback, Chen emphasized the importance of their connection with fans, particularly in the U.S., where many have anticipated the tour. "We’re most sad that we can’t meet our fans," he remarked. The duo has expressed their commitment to ensuring fans receive refunds if the tour is ultimately canceled, as they navigate this challenging period.

This incident highlights ongoing challenges within the U.S. immigration system, particularly for artists seeking to share their talents internationally. According to a report from the National Endowment for the Arts, the O-1 visa process has increasingly faced scrutiny, with more requests for additional evidence being issued than in previous years. As the duo awaits the resolution of their application, they remain optimistic about the future of their tour, which is set to include performances in Europe, Asia, and Australia later this year.

As the situation develops, fans and supporters of TwoSet Violin continue to express their disappointment over the postponement, while the duo seeks clarity and resolution in their visa application process. The outcome of Yang's second application may determine not only the future of their U.S. tour but also serve as a reflection of the broader challenges faced by artists in navigating immigration policies.