how to apply for an artist visa without a lawyer

To obtain a US P1 artist visa or P1 entertainer visa, the US employer of the entertainment group or its US agent must file a P1 petition with the USCIS, along with a consultation from an appropriate labor organization regarding the nature of the performance, or a statement proving that the group has been established and performing regularly for a period of at least one year.

Full Answer

Can an artist come to the US with a visa?

Artists and Entertainers who are citizens of countries that are designated under the Visa Waiver Program may come to the U.S. as a Business Visitor under the program. Visa Waiver entrants are subject to the same restrictions as B-1/B-2 Visa holders.

Who is the best lawyer for artist visa?

Our artist visa lawyer is Mr. Sunit Kumar. Mr. Kumar is a U.S. Immigration lawyer who has worked and lived in the United States, Europe and Asia, and has a passion for working with creative professionals. He speaks to each client individually and guides them through the case and building the file.

How do I get an artist visa for Canada?

Extraordinary Ability in the Arts To get an artist visa, you must demonstrate that you have an extraordinary ability in the arts. Extraordinary ability means that you have sustained national or international acclaim and that you have achieved distinction.

Can an artist apply for a B2 visa?

Artists and Entertainers who are citizens of countries that are designated under the Visa Waiver Program may come to the U.S. as a B-2 Visitor under the program. Visa Waiver entrants are subject to the same restrictions as B-1/B-2 Visa holders. However, entries are limited to no more than 90 days and VWP entrants cannot apply to extend their stay.

How easy is it to get an artist visa?

You can get an Artist O1B visa if you meet 3 out of the 6 criteria below: Lead role in productions or events which have a distinguished reputation. These are your past and future projects you will be working on. We write letters for our clients and gather other evidence to show the importance of your previous work.

How do I get an artist visa?

To get an artist visa, you must demonstrate that you have an extraordinary ability in the arts.Extraordinary Ability.Arts.How to Prove Extraordinary Ability.Prove Sustained National or International Acclaim.Hire an Immigration Lawyer.Gather Necessary Documents.File Form I-129.Apply for Artist Visa.

Is it hard to get an artist visa?

The visa process is quite complex and there is quite a bit of back and forth. Even once you have all your documents ready and prepared, it can still take a couple months for the US government to process everything. The itinerary is going to be based around your first gig, so you want to plan accordingly.

Is there a visa for artists?

The P-1 entertainment visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals who are athletes, artists and entertainers to enter into the U.S. for a specific event, competition or performance. The P-1 Visa classifications cover individuals who compete at an internationally recognized level.

Can I move to the US as a musician?

Although a majority of musicians and singers seek to enter the United States for a temporary period, it is possible for a successful musician or singer to gain permanent residency in the United States.

What countries offer artist visa?

If you hold a passport from the following countries then you can apply for the German Artist Visa: Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Israel, USA and Canada. In fact, you can come to Germany first on a 90 day tourist visa and apply for your artist visa here.

What are the requirements for an artist visa in USA?

To qualify for an O-1 visa, you must demonstrate extraordinary ability by sustained national or international acclaim, or a record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture and television industry, and must be coming temporarily to the United States to continue work in the area of extraordinary ability.

Can a record label get you a visa?

An O-1B visa is for individual artists of “extraordinary ability.” To obtain the visa, a US-based petitioner (which could be the record label or an appointed agent) would need to prepare and file a visa petition with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Can a record label get you a green card?

Yes, they may be able to file for your green card under EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 categories, depending on your qualification and individual details.

How can an artist get a Green Card?

original contributions of major significance (such as novel or groundbreaking works that have been recognized by experts in your field) articles you authored in professional or other major media. evidence of your work being displayed at exhibits or showcases. leading or critical roles in distinguished organizations.

How does an artist get an O-1 visa?

To qualify for the O-1 visa, you must satisfy three out of the six categories described below:Leading role in events. ... Press: national or international recognition. ... Critical or leading role for an organization. ... Commercial success or critical acclaim. ... Significance. ... High salary or other remuneration.

How hard is it to get O-1 visa?

The approval rate for O-1 visas is quite high and generally between 80% and 95%, depending on the service center.

What is an artist visa?

The artist visa, also known as the O1B visa, is a non-immigrant visa category for people with an extraordinary ability in the arts.

What does it mean to petition for an artist visa?

Example: If you extraordinary ability is in painting, your petition for an artist visa should show that you will be coming to the US to continue to work as a painter and not an actor.

What is the extraordinary ability requirement for an O1B visa?

One way to satisfy the extraordinary ability requirement for the O1B visa is if you are nominated for and/or receive significant national or international awards or prizes in your field such as an Academy Award or a Grammy.

What is the field of arts?

Arts is defined as “any field of creative activity or endeavor such as, but not limited to, fine arts, visual arts, culinary arts, and performing arts. Aliens engaged in the field of arts include not only the principal creators and performers but other essential persons such as, but not limited to, directors, set designers, lighting designers, sound designers, choreographers, choreologists, conductors, orchestrators, coaches, arrangers, musical supervisors, costume designers, makeup artists, flight masters, stage technicians, and animal trainers.”

What is considered an event for an artist visa?

In order to qualify for an artist visa, the work you are doing in the United States must be considered an “event.”. The definition of event is very broad and can include a book tour, a lecture series, or traditional employment. A series of related activities can also qualify as an event.

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Can you get an artist visa for an event?

In order to qualify for an artist visa, the work you are doing in the United States must be considered an “event.”

How to get a P1 artist visa?

To obtain a US P1 artist visa or P1 entertainer visa, the US employer of the entertainment group or its US agent must file a P1 petition with the USCIS, along with a consultation from an appropriate labor organization regarding the nature of the performance, or a statement proving that the group has been established and performing regularly for a period of at least one year.

Why do foreign artists come to the US?

Acting as ambassadors of their nations and representatives of their craft, foreign artists and entertainers come to the US to facilitate exchange of ideas and traditions, and in the process, enrich both societies.

How to get an O-1 visa?

To obtain O-1 visa classification, the US employer of the artist or the entertainer, a US agent, representing either the employer, the artist or both, or a person or entity authorized by the employer as its agent, must file a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) with the accompanying documents evidencing extraordinary ability in the field.

What is a limited artist?

Limited to: a. artists and entertainers coming to the US for the purpose of developing, interpreting, representing, coaching, or teaching a unique or traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performance or presentation, and. b.

Why do artists come to the US?

Acting as ambassadors of their nations and representatives of their craft, foreign artists and entertainers come to the US to facilitate exchange of ideas and traditions, and in the process , enrich both societies .

What is an O1 visa?

The O1 visa classification is generally available to those who possess “extraordinary ability” in the arts, science, business, education, athletics, or those in the motion pictures or television industries who are who are coming to the United States to perform for a temporary period.

How long do you have to be in a group to get a P-1 visa?

For the entertainment group and its members to qualify for the P-1 visa, at least 75 percent of the members of the group must have had a substantial and sustained relationship with the group for at least one year. Also, the entertainment group must be internationally recognized, meaning, it must have a high level of achievement evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition substantially above what is ordinarily encountered. The reputation of the group, not the individual achievements of its members, must be internationally recognized.

What is an artist visa?

An Artist Visa or the O-1B extraordinary ability visa allows actors, singers, dancers, and all other artists the ability to come to the United States to work. If you are already in the process on working on your case, you might want to check out our Top Tips to Filing an O1 / Artist Visa Application.#N#If you are interested in applying for the O1 / Artist Visa, the first thing you should know is that you cannot actually apply for the O1 / Artist visa yourself. You we’ll need someone to apply on your behalf, and this person is known as the petitioner.

How long does an artist visa last?

​Immigration typically grants the O1 / Artist visa for a maximum of three years. However, you have to prove that you will be working consistently in your field for that period of time by providing an itinerary and relevant contracts.

How has Trump affected O visas?

One of the ways the Trump Administration has affected the O visas is through the Buy American Hire American memo to USCIS. Generally, this has resulted in higher scrutiny for all visa types across the board including the O1 / Artist Visa. Another way Trump has affected the O1 / Artist visa application is the lack of deference to prior approvals. In the past, USCIS would give preference to people who were already approved for the visa initially and were currently trying to apply for a new term of an employment. However, with this new immigration memo, no such deference is to be given an all applicants are to be treated the same. Some of our clients have been approved despite applying under the Trump Administration. Check out their O1 / Artist Visa success stories here.

Can an O1 artist work for multiple employers?

One of the wonderful things about the O1 / Artist visa is that if applied for correctly, the beneficiary will be able to freelance and work for multiple employers. The way this works is the O1 / Artist Visa beneficiary needs an Agent to represent them as a "go-between" them and the employers. A U.S. Agent may be the actual employer of the beneficiary, the representative of both the employer and the beneficiary, or a person or entity authorized by the employer to act for, or in place of, the employer as its agent. Usually it is the sponsor who ends up being the beneficiary's agent. In order to make this work, specific requirements must be followed in order for the beneficiary to work for multiple employers.

Can an O1 artist work in the US?

The O1 / Artist Visa beneficiary is only allowed to work in their area of extraordinary ability. This means that if they applied as an actor, they will only be allowed to act. Other types of employment such as working at a bar or restaurant is not allowed and will be considered a violation of their visa status. However, there are other examples that are not so clear cut. For example, if you applied as an actor but have been asked to perform at a children's birthday party as a character performer. Would that be allowed? The short answer is 'It Depends". Every O1 / Artist Visa Application should include a detailed job description. So depending on how are you craft the job description it is possible that such employment would be allowed.

What is the difference between an O visa and a P visa?

Both categories require sponsorship but the O visa is limited to an individual applicant, whereas the P visa applies to a group.

How to qualify for an O-1B visa?

To qualify for an O-1B visa in the motion picture or television industry, you must demonstrate extraordinary achievement evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition significantly above that ordinarily encountered, ie; to the extent that you are recognised as outstanding, notable or leading in that industry.

What is an O-1B visa?

The O-1B visa is a nonimmigrant work visa for individuals possessing extraordinary ability in the arts, or extraordinary achievements in the motion picture or television industry and have been recognised nationally or internationally for those achievements, and are coming to the United States to continue work in their particular field.

How long is an O-1B visa good for?

If granted, an O-1B visa will be for a period of up to three years, with the option of renewing in twelve month increments.

Why is it important to have permission to travel?

Having the right permission in place before you travel will help avoid visa issues or even entry refusal, impacting your ability to fulfil professional engagements in the US.

What is NNU immigration?

NNU Immigration are specialist US immigration attorneys with particular expertise in the media and entertainment industry.

Is the threshold for an O-1B visa high?

At first blush, the threshold for an O-1B visa may seem unattainably high, but we have substantial experience of evidencing to the US authorities that applicants satisfy the threshold.

How long does it take to get an American artist visa for dancers?

It’s different from person to person. First of all, you need to meet a lot of requirements that I will get to in a second, so if you don’t have an agency in the States for instance, you have to make that happen before you can move forward. If you’ve never worked any professional dance jobs before, you definitely want to wait until you’ve worked a little bit more in the industry outside of the United States before you apply.

How much does a work visa cost?

I paid $1400 extra to basically speed up the filing process, but the USCIS just changed that price to $2500.

Do I need a lawyer?

Yes, you do. The case we filed for me was about 500 pages long, and there’s just no way that I’d be able to put all of that together by myself. No way.

How much does an immigration attorney cost?

While US immigration attorneys cost $100 to $300 and more an hour, there are times when you will want to consult with an attorney. For example, if there is something in your situation which may make it hard for you to get approved by the USCIS, you will need to speak with a US immigration attorney.

What to do if your immigration petition is rejected?

As well, if your immigration petition is rejected or if the Department of Homeland Security or USCIS accuse you of doing something illegal, a US immigration attorney is very important; he or she can help you prove your innocence. Post navigation.

Is the immigration process complicated?

The US immigration process is complex and can be intimidating for the newcomer or visitor to the US. While there are many resources to help individuals going through the US immigration process, the process can be so complicated and expensive that many immigration applicants wonder whether they need to hire a US immigration attorney in order ...