Musical America Blogs

It is with the deepest bewilderment and frustration that we are compelled to announce: USCIS HAS IMPLEMENTED A FEE INCREASE FOR VISA PETITIONS On Friday, October 21, the US Department of Homeland Security announced that it has approved the request of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to increase the fee for US visa […]

By Robyn Guilliams, Esq.    Dear Law & Disorder, I am a member of a band in Canada, and we do quite a few performances in the U.S. each year.  Our accountant has always told us that we don’t need to file income tax returns in the U.S., because the band is incorporated, and also […]

By Brian Taylor Goldstein, Esq.    I realize there are other equally important issues out there than visas and international touring. However, in the wake of the recent terrorist attack in California, and as U.S. politicians and political candidates roll out a “Keep the Hate Alive” campaign, we are constantly receiving alarming updates from clients […]

By Brian Taylor Goldstein, Esq. As the U.S. Legal Advisor to the International Artist Managers’ Association (IAMA), I’ve been asked to prepare an update on a variety of current issues involving international touring at the next membership meeting in London on November 27, 2015. Not only do I adore IAMA, but as this would provide […]

By Brian Taylor Goldstein, Esq.    Dear Law and Disorder: A presenter is refusing to pay one of our artists who has an O-1 visa, but does not have a Social Security Number. Does a foreign artist who is performing in the U.S. under an O-1 also have to get a Social Security number in […]

By Brian Taylor Goldstein, Esq.    Dear Law and Disorder: We got our P visa for a group returned because it included the tour manager. USCIS is saying we need to file a separate petition and get a separate union letter for him. But USCIS has approved prior P petitions with everyone on the same […]

By Brian Taylor Goldstein, Esq.    After being unable to issue visas since June 9 due to a major computer system crash, the U.S. Department of State is now reporting that, as of June 25, 2015, 85% of the U.S. Consulates (approximately 165) are now operational and able to issue visas again. Here is a […]

Hi everyone I realize that this is outside of our normal blog posting schedule. However, understandably, there is a growing concern over the recent…and ongoing…computer crash that has resulted in U.S. Consulates around the world being unable to issue visas. This means that even artists who have been issued I-797 approval notices from USCIS are currently […]

By Brian Taylor Goldstein, Esq. Dear Law and Disorder: Someone recently told me that there was a new form for U.S. visa petitions for artists. Is this true? If so, when do I have to start using it? Late last year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a revised version of Form I-129—the form […]

By Brian Taylor Goldstein, Esq.    Dear Law and Disorder: Our organization has engaged a foreign musician whose European agent is balking at the artist having to obtain an O-1 visa that we know he needs. We want to do this right, so I’m getting my ducks in line to tell him no and part […]