Following the denial of his application for a Canadian guest visa, dancehall star Busy Signal is requesting assistance from Jamaican authorities.
Concerns over whether he would depart the nation at the end of his stay were the basis for the decision, according to a letter from the Canadian High Commission dated December 19, 2024, which Busy just released on Instagram.
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In addition, the letter noted, “The purpose of your visit to Canada is not consistent with a temporary stay given the details you have provided in your application.”
In the caption, Busy, who is widely recognized for hits including “One More Night,” “Sweet Love (Night Shift),” “Come Over (Missing You),” “These Are The Days,” “Dolla Van,” and “Unknown Number,” spoke to his fans:
The post stated, “My dear Canadian fans, I was hoping this would be a surprise announcement that you are finally going to get to see me in concert. However, for some reason I ‘BUSY SIGNAL’ risks running off with no intention of leaving smh.”
He denounced the ruling as unfair and discriminatory and emphasized his lengthy career and present spotless legal record.
Busy noted, “As a globally recognized Jamaican artist with an impeccable business track record, no current police record of any sort from any country, with active visas from the U.K., the U.S.A. and Europe, I am calling on my country’s authorities for support in addressing the injustice, prejudice, and racist response I received when the Canadian High Commission/ Embassy denied my visa application, citing that I would not leave Canada. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 🍁🍁🍁.”
Busy Signal responded to the rumors about the application procedure in a follow-up comment. Some of his followers wondered if the visa refusal may have been due to paperwork problems or the kind of visa he requested.
“Just to clear up a misunderstanding I see in the comments,” he began.
“So, I’ve always applied for visiting first, appear in the country to meet with possible business partners before planning a tour or concert then apply for a work visa. This was only first step. So no, I did not give the impression I planned to work on a visiting. Over 20 years in the music business traveling. So I, nor my team would do something so stupid.”
For stays under two weeks, overseas artists are exempt from obtaining a work visa in Canada, according to the Canadian Federation of Musicians.
Several more followers voiced their displeasure and indignation with the Canadian government in Busy’s tweet from January 9, 2025. One user commented, “Meanwhile they let mass immigration into the country with barely any research smh.”
Another follower stated, “The reason given for denial is laughable. Your career requires traveling from country to country throughout the year. Why would you want to confine yourself to Canada at this time. SMH.”
Busy Signal made his first trip back to the US in several years in 2017, returning to New York. Among his previous hardships were his 2012 arrest on an extradition warrant and his two-month stay in a federal jail in the United States. He sought for and was granted a U.S. visa after finishing probation, which allowed him to return.
