Saint Levant postpones North American tour over US visa issues

Palestinian singer and songwriter Saint Levant announced on Tuesday that he has postponed his North American tour until spring 2027, citing protracted complications with his US visa application that have persisted for several years. The artist, born Marwan Abdelhamid in Jerusalem and raised in the Gaza Strip before relocating to Jordan at age seven, said he encountered "major US visa issues" despite initial approval of his application.

"I am unfortunately announcing the postponement of my North American tour," he stated on social media, noting that he was "unexpectedly asked to undergo additional background checks, which could take a number of months." Speaking about the decision-making process, Saint Levant said he had consulted his legal team and spoken with Palestinian and Arab peers who had endured comparable experiences. "After discussions with my legal team, and speaking with some of my Palestinian and Arab peers who have gone through similar experiences," he explained, his team reached the "difficult decision" to reschedule the concerts in hopes that the visa process would conclude by 2027.

Background and musical rise

Born in Jerusalem and raised in Gaza until age seven, Saint Levant later moved with his family to Amman, where he developed a musical style blending Arabic, English and French with hip-hop, R&B and electronic influences. His work has garnered international attention for its exploration of Palestinian identity, heritage and displacement, positioning him as a prominent voice in contemporary Arab music.

Upcoming performance in Türkiye

The postponement affects only his North American dates, as Saint Levant is scheduled to perform at Istanbul's Volkswagen Arena on Dec. 10 as part of his international "Afandi World Tour," with organizers confirming the stop in Türkiye proceeds as planned.