Immigration and Visa application letters

IMMIGRATION/PERFORMER VISAS: VISA UNION CONSULTATIONS FOR ARTISTS COMING TO THE U.S.A. TO PERFORM

MICHAEL DE LEO

Immigration Specialist

Consultant - Special Projects

DARLENE WENDY FRANK

Assistant Administrator - Immigration

(212) 675-1003 Ext. 102

dfrank@agvausa.org

1. REQUIREMENT FOR UNION VISA CONSULTATION:

According to current U.S. Federal Immigration law which took effect on April 1,1992, all performers and their support staff members coming to the United States to perform must have a union consultation letter in the appropriate category from the union with jurisdiction covering their area of performance or employment.

2. AGVA UNION JURISDICTION AND TYPE OF PERFORMERS COVERED:

AGVA’s jurisdiction covers musical and variety performers in live performances in non-book revues, comedians, skaters, circus acts, certain lecture and speaking artists, certain cabaret and night club performers, and sports-people appearing in non-competitive entertainment shows.

AGVA does not cover actors or performers in plays (contact Actors’ Equity), opera-ballet-modern dance or classical music performers (contact AGMA, American Guild of Musical Artists), musicians (contact American Federation of Musicians) unless they also sing or dance or otherwise perform in addition to playing an instrument, or performers appearing in non-live performances such as those employed for television, radio, film, or internet.

If the primary reason for the performance is a live one and in AGVA’s jurisdiction (but incidentally it is also taped during its primary live performance function), it may be also covered by an AGVA union consultation. If the primary reason for the performance is broadcast or internet rather than “live”, it would be covered by another union - SAG-AFTRA.

3. APPLYING FOR AGVA UNION VISA CONSULTATION - WHERE TO SUBMIT MATERIALS:

All applications for AGVA union consultations must be submitted by mail, direct delivery, or courier services (such as Fed Ex, UPS, etc.) to the AGVA New York office.

Note* Please do not staple any documents or checks.

AGVA

IMMIGRATION CONSULTATION
363 7th Avenue - 17th Floor
New York, NY 10001-3904

ATT: DARLENE FRANK

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Please send the following documents to:

The American Guild of Variety Artists

363 7th Avenue 17th Floor

New York, NY 10001

Completed Cover letter which includes the following information

Name of Preparer
Name of Petitioner
Name of Beneficiary
Name of Person/Entity/Account making the payment
Expedited or Regular Processing
Complete contact info, address, phone and fax

2. Copy of I-129 Application form from Immigration and Naturalization, including Attachment 1

and list of artist(s) and function they perform in group and O supplement

3. Copy of signed contract and Itinerary of artist(s)

4. Documentation to support the reputation and ability of the artists (e.g., proof of awards,

reviews, articles and testimonials). Please try to limit this to no more than 20-30 pages.

5. Copy of the first page of current passport.

Note: Please do not staple any documents or checks. Documents should be printed singled sided only.

IF APPROVED, PROCESSING CAN TAKE UP TO TWO WEEKS FROM RECEIPT OF APPLICATION.

EXPEDITED PROCESSING MAY TAKE 3-5 WORKING DAYS.

Pease contact Darlene W. Frank for current fees dfrank@agvausa.org