Kina Grannis is a popular US singer and songwriter with a strong following on social media and she has a warning for any artists hoping to play overseas: make sure you have the right visa.
Grannis and her band and crew were detained in Jakarta, Indonesia for 100 days, finally returning home in December, after immigration officials found they did not have working visas.
According to ABC News, Grannis, who could only recently discuss her experience publicly, was relying on a local Indonesian promoter to procure the correct visas.
Grannis and the 13 members of her entourage travelled to Indonesia to kick off a tour of Asia, but were only able to play one gig before being detained in Jakarta for 100 days.
Immigration officials approached Grannis and her band after they finished a show at the Salihara music venue. Indonesia has strict rules about foreigners working in their country.
“For people like them the Ministry of Manpower issues a policy for artists who have shows here,” an Indonesian immigration spokesman said. “There’s even a permit for a one night show. Basically, they must have a work permit.”
Grannis and her band had their passports confiscated and were charged with visa fraud, which is punishable by a five-year prison term. They were ordered to remain in Indonesia until their trial.
After 100 days of living in their hotel, racking up astronomical accommodation and legal bills, the group was finally put on trial and found to be guilty. The judge sentenced them to eight months’ probation, to be served in the US.
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Grannis has since written several songs about the ordeal, which will be included on a new EP titled Jakarta and she is planning on discussing her 100 days in Jakarta with fans on Facebook on Saturday.
Grannis’ experience should serve as a warning to musicians travelling to Asia — as many Aussie musos do — to always ensure they have correct visas and not rely on local promoters.
Adelaide metalcore outfit I Killed The Prom Queen were held in a Malaysian immigration detention centre back in November after officials there found they did not have a permit to perform.
According to the guitarist’s mother, the band spent “the day/night in a cell with 35 others (men?) sleeping on the floor with a hole for a toilet. NOT in a modern facility at the airport as assured by… foreign affairs”.
