By Brian Taylor Goldstein, Esq. Hi Musical America, I am a Danish citizen and I plan to go to the Unites States on a promo tour in spring. I know that it is necessary to apply for an O-1B visa being a solo artist. I have a native US promoter who will petition for me. [...]
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By Robyn Guilliams, Esq. Dear Law and Disorder Why is it necessary for Canadian performers to obtain work permits in order to perform in the United States? Although Visas are not necessary, the work permit is necessary. Why are the artists not able to enter the way other business people under the North American Free Trade Agreement? Cultural [...]
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By Brian Taylor Goldstein, Esq. Dear Law and Disorder: Last year I filed a P-1 petition for a group. I obtained a consult letter from AFM. When I filed a petition for their 2013 tour, the USCIS said I needed to get a new consult letter. I thought that union opinion letters are good for [...]
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By Brian Taylor Goldstein, Esq. Dear Law and Disorder: Help! We are a small agency. We booked an engagement for one of our artists at a venue that has now cancelled the date. We had a series of emails with the venue confirming the date and fee and then sent them a formal contract that [...]
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By Brian Taylor Goldstein, Esq. No sooner had Super Storm Sandy begun crashing into the East Coast when my phone started ringing with cancellations. The most common question went something like this: “The presenter needs to cancel, but they already paid a deposit. Do we have to give it back? What the protocol?” The second [...]
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By Brian Taylor Goldstein, Esq. First and foremost: our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone recovering from and impacted by Hurricane Sandy. From property destruction to physical injuries and deaths, it has caused immeasurable damage. For those of us in the arts industry, its also caused cancellations and logistical nightmares, but performances can always [...]
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By Brian Taylor Goldstein Dear Brian: We are touring an orchestra in the United States next season and have been grappling with the idea of whether the staff from the concerts team need to have visas for this tour, regardless of whether they are employees or freelance (we’ve had different opinions expressed). In the past, [...]
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By Brian Taylor Goldstein Dear FTM: What needs to be done to bring a performing artist from a foreign country to play in a US concert? How is their pay reported to the IRS? Is withholding required? Do they have to pay taxes on the money that they earn in the US? Etc. Wow, this [...]
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By Brian Taylor Goldstein Dear FTM Arts Law: I represent a British group that frequently tours the US. In the past, the guys have just entered as visitors under the ESTA/Visa Waiver Scheme. So far, we have never had any problems, but I was recently told this was wrong. Is this true? Couldn’t they just [...]
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By Brian Taylor Goldstein Dear Brian, I wanted to ask your advice about the visa needs of one of my artists. The artist is going to the USA twice this year to work. The first time will be to conduct a youth orchestra in rehearsals and a concert. The contract for this engagement is between [...]
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