Many international artists such as musicians, actors, or writers dream about immigrating to the United States as a great opportunity to further develop their talents and pursue their careers. After all, the States are a unique opportunity for various individuals to be noticed not only in their country of origin, but also internationally. What better place to start your career than Hollywood. Having said that, in order to fulfill your dream you might need to get an O1 visa that allows you to stay in the States as an artist. Getting one can be easier said than done, so you might want to keep in mind those few tips that can help you to get approved.
1. Have a petitioner. You need to have one in order to apply because you cannot file in your name. In other words, you will need to find somebody who will vouch for you and who will be willing to sign some documents. This is why making contacts wherever you go is so important. Always be on the lookout for influential people you would be willing to befriend.
2. Before you start the process hire an O1 visa lawyer. Applying for your artist visa can be a complicated process, so you will need as much assistance with it as you can get. Having somebody qualified and experienced by your side will ensure that the whole process will be a lot smoother and a lot more straightforward.
3. Make sure that you don’t lack the credits. In order to get approved for an artist visa you need to prove that you have a lot to offer, but at the same time you will also need to prove that you will be working on very specific projects for the duration of your stay. You also need to have some previous experience, so if you have just graduated recently make sure that you have an itinerary that is guaranteed to impress.