Other Visa Options | Visas 4 Artists

Other Visas

See notes in grey to find out how you may qualify for other types of work / study / training Visas.

If it is established that at this time of your career you do not qualify for O-1 visa or Green Card as an applicant of Extraordinary Ability read the quick outline with descriptions of other visa options and feel free to contact us for discussion on other types of work/trainee visas that may be available to you.

H-1B: Work visa available to people holding Bachelor degree or equivalent within designated Specialty Occupations. Artists,Entertainers or Fashion Models may qualify for this visa classification provided they are offered employment in Occupations requiring theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge in areas such as architecture, education, theater, film, fashion or any other area of the arts. The position must require a degree in the specific field and the applicant must hold a degree in the same or related field of studies.
J-1: Exchange Program visa available to individuals participating in cultural and education exchange programs. Aspiring Artists or International Students in the Arts may qualify for this trainee/intern visa to complete a training or internship and gain valuable on-the-job training with art and culture-related organizations in the US.
J-2: Spouses and children of J-1 exchange visitor. Employment is available for spouses in limited circumstances.
L-1A: Work visa available to Intra-company transferees working in executive and managerial positions. Established Foreign Artists transferring to a US affiliate or subsidiary in a Managerial or Executive position may qualify for this work visa if they are being transferred to the US to work in positions such as Art Director, Stage Manage, Production Manager etc. The Applicant must be able to document/prove that he/she has worked in a managerial, executive or specialized knowledge capacity for the parent or subsidiary company outside of the US for a period of at least 12 months within the preceding 3 years.
L-1B: Work visa available to Intra-company transferees working in positions requiring specialized knowledge of the company’s products and applications and/or an advanced or proprietary knowledge of the company’s processes or procedures. Artists with a specialized artistic knowledge may qualify for this work visa. The Artist must have knowledge of a unique and distinguished process, technique, technology or know-how related exclusively to the prospective employer’s business. The position must require a period of 12 months within the preceding 2 years in a managerial, executive or specialized knowledge capacity.
L-1 Blanket: Work visa available to professionals who have been working abroad for a period of 12 months within the proceeding 3 years in a managerial, executive or professional specialized knowledge capacity. To qualify, a company must have either a U.S. workforce of at least 1,000; a U.S. annual income of at least $25 million; or have had 10 L-1 petitions approved within the preceding 12 months.
L-2: Spouse and children of L-1A & L-1B intracompany transferees. Spouses may apply for employment authorization.
H-1B1: Free trade visa for citizens of Chile and Singapore.
H-2A: Temporary Agricultural Workers performing work of a temporary or seasonal nature.
H-2B: Work visa available to skilled or unskilled workers performing temporary services or labor. Artists who wish to seasonally work in a position related to their field of artistic expertise with a US company may qualify for this classification. The position must be of a specific seasonal and cultural nature and demonstrate unavailability of US workers.
H-1C: Registered Nurses in Disadvantaged Areas of the U.S. Available in very limited numbers and under specific guidelines.
H-3: Visa available to Trainees for whom training is unavailable in home country. Training may be paid with a stipend, but no employment is permitted. Artists seeking training for a maximum period of stay of 2 years in their field of artistic endeavor with a US company may qualify for this classification. The position must provide a detailed outline of the training program and the objective is to get a foundation in arts techniques.
H-4: Spouse and minor children of H-1, H-2 and H-3 visa holders. Employment is not permitted.
O-1: Work visa available to Individuals of Extraordinary Ability in the fields of the arts, sciences, business, music, and athletics. O-1 visa holders may work in the United States on a freelance basis under the representation of an agent or management company, or they may work directly for a particular company. Individuals must exhibit a demonstrated record of success and recognition in their field of endeavor. There is no educational requirement for the O-1 visa. Artists with extraordinary ability in artistic areas of fine arts, photography, theater, dance, film, music, fashion, martial arts, healing arts and culinary arts qualify for this classification. Aliens engaged in the Arts include not only the principal creators and performers but other essential persons such as directors, set designers, lighting designers, sound designers, choreographers, choreologists, conductors, orchestrators, coaches, arrangers, musical supervisors, costume designers, makeup artists, fight masters and stage technicians.
O-2: Individuals accompanying O-1 visa holders.
O-3: Spouses and Children of O-1 visa holders.
P-1: Work visa available to Individual or Team Athletes or members of internationally recognized entertainment groups. Artistic and foreign-based entertainment groups wishing to enter the US solely for purposes of performing and entertaining qualify for this classification such as music bands, dance groups and trainers, circus crew and performers.
P-2: Work visa available to Artists or Entertainers in reciprocal exchange programs. Artists entering individually or with a group as part of an exchange program qualify for this classification. The position requires that the exchange be between persons with comparable experience and talent.
P-3: Work visa available to Artists or Entertainers in culturally unique programs. Artists of International caliber with International recognition and acclaim who will teach, coach or participate in artistic performances for US Employers may qualify for this classification. Artistic expressions include dancing, painting, teaching workshops, and any other art forms considered as being culturally unique and enriching.
P-4: Spouses or children of P-1, P-2, and P-3 visa holders.
E-1: Work visa for Treaty Traders engaged in substantial trade between the US and their home country. A treaty must exist between their home country and the United States and the individual must be a citizen of that country. Artists/Entrepreneurs overseeing a company in the US that is involved in trade with a foreign country qualify for this classification such as Arts academies, Arts galleries and all other types of venues.
E-2: Work visa for Treaty Investors who have made a substantial investment in an active commercial or entrepreneurial enterprise. Artists/Entrepreneurs interested in investing and establishing an artistic company in the US qualify for this visa classification. The position requires that a treaty exists between their home country and the US and the Artist must be a citizen of that country and be engaged in the direction of the operation of the company.
E-3: Work visa available to Australian Citizens holding Bachelor degree or equivalent within designated Specialty Occupations. Artists and Entertainers may qualify for this visa classification provided they are offered employment in Occupations requiring theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge in areas such as architecture, education, theater, film, fashion or any other area of the arts. The position must require a degree in the specific field and the applicant must hold a degree in the same or related field of studies. Spouses of E-3 visa holders will be permitted to apply for employment authorization for the duration of the principle’s E-3 stay in the U.S.
A-1/A-2/A-3: Ambassador, Public Minister, Career Diplomatic or Consular Officer, Government Officials, their attendants and personal employees, and members of their immediate family
B-1: Short-term visitor visa for business with the purpose directly related to the applicant’s occupation overseas. The visa-holder’s salary must be paid by the overseas employer, the individual may not engage in productive activity for any US – based entity and employment in the US is not permitted. Artists temporarily entering the US for short-term business-related matters qualify for this visa classification to attend conferences, business meetings, seminars and other events related to their artistic occupation.
B-2: Short-term visitor visa for pleasure. The B-2 visa is available to Artists wishing to temporarily enter the US solely for leisure.
C-1/C-2/C-3: Individuals in transit through the United States to other foreign territories.
D: Crewmembers of airlines and other vessels.
F-1: Full-time Academic Students attending approved schools who may be employed in the United States in the following circumstances: Optional Practical Training–full-time employment permitted recommended by school and approved by Immigration authorities. Curriculum Practical Training–must be authorized by school and deemed “integral to curriculum.” Severe Economic Hardship–Students who have fallen into economic distress. Must be authorized by Immigration authorities. The F-1 Student visa is available to aspiring Artists wishing to gain the theoretical knowledge in the various areas of Arts by attending a US Institution.
G-1/G-2/G-3: Representatives of foreign governments to the UN and other international organizations, staff and members of immediate family.
G-4: Officers and Employees of International organizations and members of their immediate family.
G-5: Attendant and household workers of G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-4 visaholders and members of their immediate family.
I: Work visa available to Representatives of Foreign Media outlets such as newspapers, radio and television working in the US, spouses and children. Artists working in the capacity of journalists, reporters, film crews, editors and persons in similar occupations qualify for this visa classification. They are engaged in filming a news event or documentary of informative purposes only as opposed to commercial.
K-1/K-2/K-3/K-4: Fiancee of U.S. citizens immigrating to the United States, minor children of K-1 fiance, spouses of U.S. citizens who have I-130 (Immigrant Visa) petitions pending, and unmarried children under 21 years of age of a K-3 visa applicant or holder.
M-1/M-2: Student visa for approved Vocational and Language Study Programs, spouses and children. Artists wishing to attend a vocational study program in an Arts College, Fine Arts School or Arts Institute qualify for this visa classification. The program must offer specialties in the various areas of arts such as animation, photography, ceramic, music, sculpture, dance and digital media.
N-8: Parent of an alien child designated as a special immigrant.
N-9: Child of a parent designated as a special immigrant.
NATO-1/2 NATO-3/4 NATO-5/6 NATO-7: Principal Permanent Representative of Member State to NATO, Representatives, Clerical Staff, Officials, Experts, Civilians and members of immediate family.
Q-1: International Cultural Exchange Program Participants. Limited to a 15-month stay. Artists participating in an International Cultural Exchange Program such as practical training or employment for purposes of sharing their home country’s artistic history, culture and tradition qualify for this visa classification.
Q-2/Q-3: Participants in the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Programs, spouses and children.
R-1/R-2: Religious Workers including Ministers, Professionals, and workers in Religious Occupations and Vocations, spouses and children.
S-5: Individuals supplying critical information concerning a criminal organization or enterprise. S-6 Individuals supplying critical information relating to terrorism.
T-1/T-2/T-3/T-4: Victims of a severe form of human trafficking, their spouses, children or parents (if victim is under 21 years of age.)
TN: North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) professionals (Canadian and Mexican Citizens) as listed under 8 CFR 214.6(d) Appendix 1603.D.1 Limited to a period of stay of one year increments. Artists nationals of Canada or Mexico wishing to enter the US to temporarily work in their artistic field with a US employer may qualify for this work visa. Canadian nationals apply at the Port of entry and Mexican nationals at the Nebraska Service Center.
TD: Spouses and children of NAFTA professionals
TWOV: Passengers and Crewmembers in immediate and continuous transit through the United States without visas.
U-1/U-2/U-3/U-4: Victims of Certain Criminal Activity, their spouses, children, and parents (if victim is under 21 years of age.)
V-1/V-2/V-3: Spouses and Children of Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) who are the principal beneficiaries of a family-based visa petition (Form I-130) filed prior to 12/21/2001 and which has been pending for at least three years. V-3 visas are for the children of V-1 and V-2 visa holders and visa applicants.