Visa Questions and Answers
Visa Questions and Answers
OBTAINING AN AFM "P" OR "O" PEER CONSULTATION LETTER - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Steve Gelfand- Director
Touring, Theater, Booking, Immigration Division
American Federation of Musicians
P2 Visa & IMM-1102 Information click here.
Q. What is a consultation letter, and why do I need one?
A. The USCIS asks that you include a letter from an appropriate peer group or union (in this case the American Federation of Musicians) to establish that the artist or group who is traveling to this country meets the standard of being Internationally Renowned (in the case of O-1 and P-1 Visas) or Culturally Unique (in the case of P-3 Visas). P-2 Visas are issued for artists and entertainers performing under a reciprocal exchange program - for example, Canadian musicians coming to perform in the U.S.
Q. Does the AFM issue consultations for any cultural artist or group?
A. No - the AFM issues consultations on behalf of artists and groups which feature instrumental music as a main component.Consultation letters for artists such as dancers, actors, stage managers, stage technicians, operatic singers and writers are issued by other unions.
Q. Which Visa should I apply for - a "P-1", "O-1", "P-2" or "P-3"?
A. An "O-1" Visa is for an individual artist of International Renown; that is, well known outside his or her home country. A "P-1" is for a group that meets the same standard.
"P-2" Visas are issued for Canadian artists/musicians entering the U.S. If you need assistance with a "P-2" Visa, please contact our Canadian Office at 416.391.5161.
"P-3" Visas are for groups which are Culturally Unique - for example, musicians who perform folk music of their home country.
Q. What information do I need to provide in order to receive a letter from the AFM?
A. We need the following information in order to issue a letter of consultation:
- A cover letter explaining who the musicians are, where they are from, and what qualifies them as Culturally Unique or Internationally Renowned.
- A copy of the USCIS form I-129.
- Copies of any written contracts between the petitioner and the alien beneficiary, including what wages will be earned; or, if there is no written contract, a summary of the terms of the oral agreement under which the alien(s) will be employed.
- A copy of the itinerary, including the names and addresses of the venues.
- A roster with the musicians' instrumentation.
- Support materials such as reviews, CD covers, programs, etc. which establishes the group or instrumental artist. Please note:Support materials must feature the instrumentalists - information on singers/actors/dancers only is NOT sufficient.
- Your fax and telephone number.
Q. Ok. I don’t have an I-129 form - can you send that to me?
A. No - the AFM provides the consultation letter required by the INS but does not supply USCIS forms. If you have questions about the INS application process, you can access the INS on the web at: http://uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm.
Q. Does the AFM charge a fee for this service?
A. The AFM charges an administrative processing fee of $200.00 for each "P-1","P-3", and "O" consultation letter (please consult the Canadian office for fee information regarding "P-2" consultations).
For those wishing for an immediate response within 48 hours, the fee is $250.00 per consultation letter.
Corporate or cashiers' checks or money orders should be made out to: AFM Immigration Processing. We cannot accept personal checks for this fee.
DO:
Mail in your materials well in advance to:
American Federation of Musicians
1501 Broadway – Suite 600
New York City, NY 10036
Attn: Liz Blake
Do not call to inquire about the status of your petition. If you have questions, please email inquiries to Elizabeth Blake at lblake@afm.org, making sure to include a fax number if you'd like a faxed response.
Send copies, NOT originals of all materials, especially the I-129.
Include your corporate check, cashiers' check or money order for the processing fee of $200.00 ($250.00 for expedited service) made out to "AFM Immigration Processing".
When submitting support materials, be thorough but concise. If you are sending us more than 20 pages, you are probably giving us more information than we need.
DO NOT:
Call in a frenzy on the day after submitting your materials asking why you haven't heard from us. If 5 or more business days have passed, you can email your status inquiries. Please only phone as a last resort if you need clarification or have questions on the procedure.
Send original documents. Especially the original USCIS I-129. Send copies only - we cannot send materials back to you.
Send actual CD's. While we certainly appreciate free music, this is not necessary for your application. Copies of the CD cover booklet are sufficient.
Fax 75 pages of reviews and press materials - save the trees and our overworked fax machine and mail a thorough but concise application in a timely manner.
Following these simple but important guidelines allows us to provide the best possible service in processing your requests.
We thank you for your cooperation.
P2 Visa & IMM-1102 Information Return to top
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) has been recognized by both United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (U.S.C.I.S) and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (C.I.C) as an authorized petitioner for temporary work permits on behalf of AFM member musicians.
Canadian members who wish to work in the United States may be eligible for a 'Class P2' non-immigrant work permit, and United States members who wish to work in Canada may be eligible for an ‘IMM-1102’ Permit.
Initiated by AFM, and in accordance with both U.S.C.I.S and C.I.C rules and regulations, both categories are subject to a RECIPROCAL EXCHANGE AGREEMENT between international entities. For this purpose an agreement between AFM Canada representing Canadian members, and AFM U.S.A. representing U.S. members has been acknowledged and accepted by U.S.C.I.S and C.I.C, which gives AFM recognition as an authorized representative for AFM member musicians in both countries, and which allows for the exchange of artists between said countries.
P2 – Application Requirements
P2 – Premium Processing
P2 – Landed Immigrants to Canada
IMM-1102 (Canadian Work Permit)
For more information, please contact:
AFM Canada
(416) 391-5161 - phone
1-800-463-6333 - toll free
(416) 391-5165 – fax
afmcan@afm.org - e-mail
