Visa Technical Assistance
Arts Presenters offers our members one-on-one technical assistance for visa processing. If you have any questions, please contact our Government Affairs department by phone at 202.207.3856, fax 202.833.1543.
File Petitions Up to One Year in Advance!
Beginning May 16, 2007 visa petitioners may submit I-129 applications for O or P visas up to a maximum of one year in advance of their need for the foreign artist’s services. Currently, the earliest petitioners may file is only up to 6 months in advance of a performance. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) made this rule change at the urging of the nonprofit performing arts community. Extending the earliest filing date from 6 to 12 months may provide relief for those petitioners prepared to file far in advance of a performance. Remember—file petitions as early as possible to be spared the $1,000 Premium Processing fee and to allow more time for consular processing to be completed. For more information, visit www.artistsfromabroad.org.
USCIS Announces Location Changes for Filing Visa Petitions
The locations for filing visa petitions with USCIS have changed. Petitions filed on or after April 2 should be mailed to either the California Service Center or the Vermont Service Center, depending on the location of the petitioner. Presently, all I-129 and I-539 visa petitions are mailed directly to the California Service Center for processing. There will be a short grace period during which petitions filed to the wrong USCIS location will be forwarded to the appropriate service center. However, after April 17 petitions sent to the incorrect address will be rejected and returned to the petitioner. For more information, visit the Artists from Abroad webpage.
California Service Center (CSC)
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Vermont Service Center (VSC)
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia
NEW USCIS POLICY CHANGE: O and P Artist Visa Petitions Should Be Mailed Directly to California
The USCIS will soon announce that O and P petitions filed for artists are to be mailed directly to the California Service Center. CIS policy currently states that applications are to be mailed to the Vermont Service Center where they are then transferred to the California Service Center for processing. In an effort to avoid and mitigate delays and mishandling associated with this transition, Arts Presenters is recommending that applicants now mail directly to California at the following:
Overnight
California Service Center
24000 Avila Road
2nd Floor, Room 2302
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Regular mail
California Service Center
P.O. Box 10129
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607
The envelope must be clearly marked “Regular Processing” or “Premium Processing.” It is also strongly recommend that O and P petitions be sent overnight delivery.
As always, for more information and updates visit www.artistsfromabroad.org.
Know the Tax Rules for Engaging Foreign Artists!
Did you know that the U.S. tax requirements for foreign guest artists are vastly different than the laws for U.S. residents? Find essential information about Internal Revenue Service (IRS) withholding rules on the recently updated Artists from Abroad website, co-hosted by the American Symphony Orchestra League and Arts Presenters. Visit the site for more information: www.artistsfromabroad.org.
RESOURCES
Website for Visa Assistance
Created by Arts Presenters and the American Symphony Orchestra League, www.artistsfromabroad.org provides guidance for foreign artists and artist management companies seeking visas for performance engagements in the United States. The site offers the very latest rules and regulations affecting artists as well as downloadable toolboxes offering handy worksheets, forms and links.
Send us your visa stories!
Arts Presenters and our colleagues continue to meet with leaders at the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and representatives in the U.S. Congress to advocate for visa reform. To help us in preparation for our upcoming meetings and advocacy efforts, please share cases where complications with the USCIS or Deptartment of State have prevented you from presenting artists since August 2004.
USCIS Increases Petition Filing Fees
Effective for Petitions Filed On Or After October 26, 2005
- I-129 petition for a nonimmigrant worker: $190
- I-539 petition to extend/change status (used for spouses and dependents): $200
- I-824 application for action on an approved application or petition (usually used to request a duplicate I-797 notice of approval): $200
- Premium Processing fee remains $1,000.
- The fees paid by visa applicants at U.S. Embassies abroad are not affected by these changes.
Changes to I-129 Application Form
As of March 11, 2005, the USCIS has revised the Form I-129, the form required for all O and P visa petitions for foreign guest artists. While the previous version of the form will be accepted by USCIS until April 30, please become familiar with the new form right away. The supporting evidence required for O and P visa petitions has not changed, but petitioners will find some new changes to the Form I-129. Most notably, the visa categories for artists that were formerly identified as O-1 and P-1 are now classified as O-1B and P-1B. Please read the Form I-129 carefully and visit: www.artistsfromabroad.org for updated forms and information. If you have any questions about the changes, please contact Arts Presenters Government Affairs staff at 888.820.ARTS.
Want to check current processing times at the Service Centers?
Go to https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/ptimes.jsp;jsessionid=eOugZ84qTzM for more info.
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