USA Entertainment Visas

When making plans to travel to the US to tour, join a production, work in television or undertake other activities in the American entertainment industry, it is crucial that you make sure you secure the right visa for your trip. Upon arrival in the US, border staff will ask questions about the purpose of your visit as part of their checks to determine whether you are entering for legitimate purposes, and whether the visa you have is suitable for the activity you are intending to carry out once you have been permitted entry into the country.

If an immigration officer is not satisfied with your explanation or the documentation you have provided, they can decide to refuse you entry and order that you be returned to your home country on the next available flight. Individuals who are refused entry to the United States may find it more difficult when applying for future US visas or visa-free travel to the US.

Most people travelling to the US to take part in entertainment industry activities will require one of the following visas:

P-1B Visa (Internationally Recognised Entertainer)

P-1B Visas are targeted at entertainers (and support personnel) who are performing at the top of their field and as part of a group of international renown. At least 75% of members must have been part of the group for a minimum of one year.

Applications must be sponsored by an American employer, promoter or agent who can provide evidence of the group’s international reputation, as well as details of the intended performance/s it intends to put on in the USA.

This visa initially lasts for as long as the performance/s will take up to a maximum of one year, and can be extended by one-year increments providing the qualifying performance/s will continue.

P-2 Visa (Reciprocal Exchange Program Participants)

Individual entertainers and groups who intend to travel to the US as part of a recognized exchange program may be eligible to perform in the US under a P-2 Visa.

Applications must be sponsored by either an employer in the US, or the appropriate performers’ union in the US (e.g. SAG-AFTRA, the American Federation of Musicians).

This visa initially lasts for as long as the performance/s will take up to a maximum of one year, and can be extended by one-year increments providing the qualifying performance/s will continue.

P-3 Visa (Culturally Unique Programs)

Entertainers coming to the US to perform or coach as part of a culturally unique program may qualify for a P-3 Visa. This program can involve paid or voluntary work but your application must demonstrate that your participation in a particular cultural event/s will advance the development or understanding of a traditional or unique cultural, folk or ethnic preformance or presentation.

Applications must be supported by a relevant cultural organization or expert/s in the US and contain details of your itinerary and the event/s you will be performing or coaching at.

This visa initially lasts for as long as the performance/s will take up to a maximum of one year, and can be extended by one-year increments providing the qualifying event/s or performance/s will continue.

O-1B Visa and O-2 Visa (Extraordinary Ability)

Individuals who can demonstrate that they have extraordinary ability in the television or film industry may be able to apply for an O-1B visa. Support staff who are an integral part of an O1-B visa applicant’s performance and who can not be replaced by a worker in the US may be able to apply for an O-2 Visa in order to accompany them.

Applications must be supported by itineraries, job offers and a suitable reference from an appropriate performers’ union or similar expert body who can attest to the O1-B visa applicant’s ability and reputation.

These visas last for an initial period of as much as three years and can be extended for up to one year if it can be demonstrated that you need additional time to complete the project you have come to the US to work on.

B-2 Visa (Tourist Visa)

Amateur entertainers who are not intending to undertake any paid work may be able to enter the US to perform on an unpaid basis on a B-2 Visitor Visa. Entertainers from countries which are eligible for the US Visa Waiver Program may be able to do this without needing to apply for a visa in advance, though if this is the case they will still need to provide their details in advance via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) system.

B-2 Visas and entries under the Visa Waiver Program permit entry to the US for a maximum of six months at a time.

US Entertainment Visa Fees

Application fees for O and P visas are typically comprised of the following individual filing fees:

• $205 for submission of a DS-160 form
• $510-$1655 for submission of the I-129 form by your sponsor (this fee typically covered by the sponsor, not the applicant)
• Variable issuance and handling fees charged by the consulate or embassy taking biometric data and issuing the visa itself

In addition, where union consultation is required, unions will typically charge an approximately $300 processing and administration fee to cover their costs.