Our comprehensive step-by-step O-1 3 Year Artist Visa Guides have examples of possible evidentiary items in all criteria, to assist you in building your petition letter to DIY your artist visa or to focus and speed your application if working with an immigration attorney. We give you all your need to file an Original Application and when you need it how to file a visa Extension, Amended visa and how to Change your Sponsor.
Our guide focuses on:
O-1 Extraordinary Achievement in Motion Picture or Television Industry (commonly referred to as O-1 (MPTV Motion Picture Television))
and the
O-1 Extraordinary Ability in Arts (commonly referred to as O-1 (Arts))
O-1 Visa benefits:
- Not necessary to have had a visa previously
- You have the choice to self-file or use an attorney
- Your family can accompany you
- Valid up to 3 years
- Cons: Some film studios have issues with O visas
- Read full info on the USA Artist Visa here
- Actors coming for Pilot Season – read here
- Step by Step of the USA Artist Visa application process – here
- The extraordinary requirements that the USCIS need you to prove – here
- The Petition Letter proves how you are extraordinary – article here
- You will need Recommendation Letters – before you approach people
- Our DIY Guide Information below
O-1 Guide includes:
- EVERYTHING you need to DIY your O-1 Artist Visa
- (MPTV) Full Motion Picture Professional Petitioners Letter/Cover Letter Sample
- (Arts) Full Musician Petitioners Letter/Cover Letter Sample
- Several sample Recommendation Letters
- Motion Picture Itinerary Sample
- Musician Itinerary Sample
- Production Company Sponsor Contract Sample
- Agent/Manager Sponsor Contract Sample
- Analyses of the Filing Forms I-129
- Each criteria broken down for evidence
- Sample paragraphs for each criteria
- How to submit without an attorney
- USCIS Cases and Documents
- Includes Extension and Change of Sponsor
- Updated with newest legislation
- 24/7 Access
- Lifetime
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Artist Testimonials
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What’s in the O1-B GUIDE
The Basics – Guidelines – The Strategy – Planning your application.
We lay out the facts of how the O-1 Visa works, what all is involved, and when each step takes place. We give you a strong overview of the whole process so that you are ready to begin your application with a clear view of the finish line.
- The O-1 – What is it exactly? Who is it for?
- Do I qualify? – How to assess your chances.
- To Self-File, Or Not To Self-File – Applying with or without an attorney.
- Timeline – How long is the process? What to file when.
- Precautions – Some things to avoid that you might not think of.
- What you need from your sponsor
- How to build an Itinerary
STEP ONE – The Evidence
We explain each of the criteria and how they relate to the artist, as well as interpretations that USCIS examiners won’t accept. We explain how to gather strong and compelling evidence. Here we also show you how to further prove your intent to continue working in your field as well as your benefit to the United States of America. See US government advice here.
- Good Evidence – What makes compelling proof?
- Bad Evidence – How to anger your examiner!
- How Much? – Compelling without overloading?
- Presentation – Highlighting, Numbering & Binding.
- Recommendation Letters – Who to get them from and what they need to say.
- Deal Memos and Letters of Intent – Prove you will continue to work.
- Consultation Letters – Labor Union approvals.
- The Criteria – The criteria explained and how they apply to you.
- Recommendation Letters – How to maximize their efficiency.
STEP TWO – The Petition Letter
We guide you in writing your petition letter, either for a Motion Picture Professional (O-1B subcategory MPTV) or a Musician (O-1A subcategory Arts) – if you use an attorney, this is what you will pay them to do for you. The letter is written in the third person, from your sponsor’s perspective. We deconstruct the formatting and wording of the letter to best present your case. The letter is a formula and we decode it all out for you. You might have heard of the Kazarian v. USCIS, 580 F.3d 1030, 1036 (9th Cir. 2009) Case? No? Don’t worry, we have, and we use the findings to help you build the compelling case that the examiner needs.
- Make life easy for your Immigration Officer.
- One criterion at a time – How to present your case and weave it together.
- Choosing the phraseology that will connect you with your examiner.
- Sample letter segment for each criteria referencing the evidence samples from Step 1.
- Closing Statements – How to wrap up, summarize, and seal the deal. Sustained Acclaim.
- We give you TWO Sample Petition Letters, written for a Motion Picture / TV Industry professional (MPTV) and a Musician (Arts).
STEP THREE – Filing the Forms
We explain the required forms.
Check out the USCIS break down here. All the forms that apply to the O-1 application are available for free here
O1 applications require the USCIS Form I-129
We show you how to package the application correctly for your examiner.
Want to bring your significant other and kids? Perhaps your make-up artist, agent or manager? We show you how.
We also detail the Consular Processing application.
STEP FOUR – The USCIS Decision
You are approved!! Fantastic!
- How to prepare for your Consular Interview – your visa may be approved but you can still be denied by your local Embassy.
- Request for Further Evidence? Don’t worry, approval statistics are in your favor, you just have to follow the USCIS instructions and you will convince your examiner to approve your application.
- Denial – You receive an NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny) You may be able to argue their decision.
You are approved at your interview – WOOHOO! The work is not yet done – we layout your first steps through the Port of Entry into the United States (Social Security etc.)
There’s more…
O1 EXTENSION
- How to apply for an O1 Extension
- Filing the Forms
- Writing the Petition Letter
O1 CHANGE OF SPONSOR
- How to apply for an O1 Change of Sponsor
- Filing the Forms
- Necessary evidence
- Writing the accompanying cover letter
DOWNLOADS
- Evidence Checklist – An editable spreadsheet you can use to log your evidence in each category
- Progress Checklist – An editable spreadsheet you can use to plan and monitor your progress
- Itinerary – How to get the full 3 years – “activities” and “events”
- Sample Index of Exhibits
- Sponsor Contract
- Deal Memos
- Recommendation Letter Samples
- USCIS Cases
And even more…
BONUS MATERIAL – Because we want you to succeed!
These added value bonuses will help you to strengthen your career paper-trail. To succeed in an all paper application you need strong published evidence and we are here to help you build that portfolio.
- Press Releases – How to write them and where to send them.
- 8 Goal Setting Techniques
- Marketing Materials – How to publicize and market your work.
- Your Career Online – Yes, they will google you!
We accept crypto – email us [artist]@greencard.guide
CHECK OUT OUR EB-1 GUIDE
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ACTORS TAKE NOTE:
There are restrictions on some O-1 actors which are imposed not by the USCIS but within the arts industries. These issues can be avoided – we are letting you know so you are aware when applying.
The Department of Justice states that no persons cleared for work by the USCIS should be discriminated against due to their non-immigrant status, yet difficulties remain.
O-1 Actors (with rare exception) are barred from hire by NBCUniversal, Sony, ABC Disney, and Warner Bros, thus excluding them from a large number of castings. Solution: If they wish to hire you they can sponsor your application as you can have several O visas running concurrently. Please note: CBS and Fox Studios do accept the O-1 visa once the actor presents their petition in advance and it clearly lists them as a “Screen Actor” (an important element for all applicants to note – you will be limited to working within the category of artist you list on your petition – “Stage Actors” cannot work as “Screen Actors” – so be sure that you list all job titles under which you intend to work on your application). This also stems from USCIS and the studios having issue with the chosen sponsor. So ensure you choose your sponsor carefully – a manager/agent not a company if you need a blanket visa.
Another issue facing O-1 Actors is that they may not join Actors’ Equity Association, meaning they cannot perform in union-contracted theater productions unless ‘grandfathered’ in.
The approval time can be long – approx 4 months and can be as much as 7 months. If you have a strong O-1 case consider using the USCIS Premium Processing service.
There are cases of O-1 applicants being turned down at their US consulate and embassy interview. We believe this is because the artists are not fully aware of their application and not in a position to argue their case. We show you how.
The O-1 is an excellent temporary visa to allow you live and work in the United States and is ideal for the creative artist who wants to trial working in the USA before committing to the EB-1 permanent green card. Concentrate on working with the studios that hire O-1 visas and you will have plenty of work. Use the O-1 as a stepping stone to the EB-1, it is a solid step in the right direction and establishes you in the US ahead of your EB-1 application although IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE AN O-1 visa BEFORE APPLYING FOR THE EB-1. The O-1 can be used to have the time necessary in the US to meet with potential employers and get your work known – and if an employer that doesn’t accept blanket visas wishes to hire you, they can choose to submit an application for another O-1 for you with them listed as sponsor – the possibilities are endless!
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