{"id":59032,"date":"2020-10-16T16:54:20","date_gmt":"2020-10-16T20:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.musicalamerica.com\/mablogs\/?p=59032"},"modified":"2020-10-16T16:54:21","modified_gmt":"2020-10-16T20:54:21","slug":"uscis-has-officially-raised-premium-processing-to-2500-effective-october-19-2020-and-an-update-on-national-interest-waivers-while-were-at-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.musicalamerica.com\/mablogs\/?p=59032","title":{"rendered":"USCIS Has Officially Raised Premium Processing to $2500 EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 19, 2020… and an update on National Interest Waivers while we\u2019re at it."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Screaming Demon Pumpkin and his festering goblins of anal carbuncles JUST<\/strong> announced TODAY<\/strong> that it was raising the premium processing fee from $1440 to $2500 effective this Monday, October 19, 2020<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any\npetitions postmarked after October 19, 2020 will be returned if they do not\nhave the higher fee. Whilst I expect this to be challenged in court, we are\nstuck with it until a court issues an injunction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An\ninjunction still remains in place on the new I-129 fees and forms for O and P\npetitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CLICK HERE TO READ THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

National Interest Waiver Exceptions to the Covid Travel Ban<\/span> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of you continue to as about requesting a National\nInterest Waiver NIW) so that artists can fly to the U.S. from certain countries\nwithout first having to quarantine in a third country (such as Canada) before\nentering. While that possibility still exists, please be aware that everything\nis in significant flux these days. As Covid cases to continue to rise in both\nthe U.S. and around the world, the National Interest Waiver may be discontinued\nat ANY time. This means that, for example, if an artist applies for a waiver\nand receives one for to travel to the U.S. in November, the waiver could be\nrevoked between now and then. Worse, if the artist travels to Europe and the waiver\nis revoked after arrival, and the artist actually resides in the U.S. and is\nnot either a green card holder or is not married to a U.S. citizen, they will\nbe trapped outside of the U.S. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For as long as the option remains, NIW requests can be\nmade either through a U.S. Consulate or at a United States Customs and Border\nPatrol (USCBP) office at the U.S. airport where the artist intends to arrive. Due\nto the Covid travel ban, many U.S. Consulates in Europe are either not taking\nappointments or only scheduling appointments for 6 months in the future. If an\nartist has been approved for a visa, but needs to get a visa stamp, they will\nneed to make an appointment at U.S. Consulate and then request an emergency\nappointment and submit a NIW request. If an artist already has a valid visa,\nthen they can request a NIW through the USCBP office at whatever U.S. airport where\nthey intend to arrive.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Apply for a National Interest Waiver at a U.S. Consulate<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every consulate has its own rules and procedures for\nhow to do this, but, generally: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            >>>Contact the U.S. Consulate in whichever\ncountry you are physically located    no\nearlier than 30 days prior to the date of travel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            >>>Explain that you have an immediate need to\ntravel to the U.S. within 30 days and\ncannot quarantine in a third country<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            >>>Provide a letter from your venue, presenter,\nemployer, etc. explaining why it    is critical\nthat you be physically present in the U.S, that your work or performance is essential to them, and that it\ncannot be done remotely or via       \u201cstreaming\u201d\noutside of the U.S. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            >>>Agree to quarantine for 14 days after your\narrival in the U.S. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will then need remain while this is pending. If\nthe waiver is granted, you will be sent a letter to present to an immigration\nofficer when entering the U.S. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will need to check the website of the specific\nU.S. Consulate where you intend to apply for specific instructions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Apply for a National Interest Waiver from USCBP<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contact the USCBP office at whatever U.S. airport where they intend to arrive. This needs to be done before travel and the requirements are generally, more or less, somewhat, similar as those listed above for consulates. However, of course, each airport has a different procedure and there is no oversight, so you will need to visa the USCBP website for the specific airport where you intend to apply for specific instructions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GG Arts Law provides a comprehensive range of legal services and strategic support for the performing arts, including: Artist Visas, Taxes, and Touring; Rights & Licensing; Negotiations & Representation; Contracts; Business & Non-Profit Organization & Management; Project Management; and Strategic Consulting & Planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE: <\/strong>ggartslaw.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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THE OFFICIAL LEGALESE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

THIS\nIS NOT LEGAL ADVICE!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\npurpose of this blog is to provide general advice and guidance, not legal\nadvice. Please consult with an attorney familiar with your specific\ncircumstances, facts, challenges, medications, psychiatric disorders,\npast-lives, karmic debt, and anything else that may impact your situation\nbefore drawing any conclusions, deciding upon a course of action, sending a\nnasty or threatening email to someone, filing a lawsuit, or basically doing\nanything that may in any way rely upon an assumption that we know what we are\ntalking about. <\/p>\n