It would appear new actors don;t have a snowball's hope in hell of obtaining a US work Visa on their own...anyone have advice or can tell a story on how they managed to get one....?
Acting : US Work Visa for new actors... by Mark Aylward
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Yes, the O Visa is useless unless you are Jim Carrey or Pamela Anderson...
there is an O 1 visa for people with special skills...they call it the "genius visa" . An immigration lawyer may be able to help you apply...also helps if a theatre company invites you etc
Sorry Jasper....both Jim Carry & Pamela Anderson hail from Canada. :)
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The O1 Visa process (Alien of Extraordinary Ability is the official term) is a long and expensive one. You need a lawyer - no question about that, it's too complicated to do it without one. Expect to spend $3K - $5K on a lawyer because you want a good one. You will also have to spend money on all of the government fees, you will likely want to pay extra to have it expedited (or they might never get to it) so expect to pay close to $2K for that. You will need to prove that you are a "name" in your own country. To do this you will need at least 5 letters of recommendation from successful people in the industry (although I recommend to get at least 10), your resume, video clips of movies and tv shows you have been the LEAD in, box office results for movies you have had a lead role in, awards that you have been nominated for or won (and these have to be legit because they do check!) examples of these in, lets say, Canada would be a Leo Award, a Genie Award or A Gemini Award. You will want to make sure your IMDB star meter rating is really high as well and that you have a large following on a facebook fanpage and twitter. You will then need a letter of recommendation from SAG-AFTRA. This is more difficult since SAG & AFTRA merged, they will "suggest" that you join - ie if you aren't a member they wont write you a letter. That's gonna set you back another $3K and that's only if you qualify to join, which means you have to be a member in good standing in the Union in your country (hopefully a union SAG recognizes). In the last 5 years that have gotten really strict with who gets O1 Visa's because so many people have been fraudulent about it. My advice? Keeping kicking butt wherever you live, build your resume until its huge and people know who you are and then hope you get hired by a US production because then the studio will do all the work for you :)
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Getting the 01 Visa is not easy as Laura has written. Also it is for a limited time. I believe up to 3 years and you are only allowed to work as an actor! No other work. After your first year, they will re-evaluate your status and if you didn't work or not enough you may not get the other 2 years. It is easier to apply for the Green Card lottery (for permanent residence) (and less costly) and then you can work at ANY job there. The only stipulation is you have to be in the States at least 1 time a year to maintain the green card. These are the stipulations http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7...
Green card lottery can not be entered by people in the UK and the O1 visa if I remember correctly from what I read on the US governrnent site you also have to have a guaranteed 3 years of work as well.
Yes Robert you are correct about people from the UK not eligible for the Green Card.
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Become an A list actor.
OMG!! I just saw this! Hope you got the advice you need? Of course you can come to the USA!! I came to US on an O-1 visa 4 yrs ago and now have the EB1 green card. You can get US visas but you have to get work behind you in your own country first. I talk a wee bit about visas here in a guide I wrote for Euro-peeps moving to LA www.rachelrath.com/ebook/index.htm There is a visa section there which explains the process. Hope this helps!
Mark Aylward - what kinda nonsense is that? O-1 VISA IS USELESS UNLESS YOU ARE PA OR JC! Are you afraid eligible foreigners come and get more and more work. Work you can't get. :oD I agree with Lisa. Build your resume until it is strong enough and apply with a good entertainment / immigration lawyer. Kathleen - lottery, if someone just want to live here, great, but lottery explains everything I think. ;) Rachel was fast with applying and getting the green card. ;) I can truly recommend Ralph Ehrenpreis Law Offices for everyone who wants to go the step. They will also tell you if your chances are not good at all to get an O-1. I got a 3 year O-1 twice and I am going to file for the green card as a next step. Goo Luck everyone! Kind regards, Marcel Miller based in Los Angeles t. +1 (929) 278-5757 | e. mm@marcelmiller.us w. http://marcelmiller.us | representation: http://marcelmiller.us/contact imdb: https://pro-labs.imdb.com/name/nm1675320 If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. Read more Think before you print.