Navigating the Labyrinth: US Visa Basics for Performing Artists

The class will cover all US visa basics for performing artists, including musicians, actors, comedians, and other live performers. Attendees will learn about what circumstances require a visa in general, a work visa in specific, and what activities are permissible on visitor status.

The class will also cover basic O and P visa classifications and what US Citizenship/Immigration Services (USCIS) requires to prove visa eligibility in terms of both qualifications and US employment. Finally, the class will cover consular processing at the Department of State (applying for a visa abroad), visa extensions, and entering the US before Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This course will also touch upon recent policy developments affecting the visa application process.

Location:
VLA Auditorium, 1 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022

Fees:
$25 Full-Time Student (student must present proof of full-time status with registration)
$25 Artists Over Sixty
$35 Arts Professional VLA Member
$55 Arts Professional Non-Member
$85 Legal Professional VLA Member
$110 Legal Professional Non-Member
$55 Young Associate Members (YAM’s) and Associate Board Members

To register by phone or email, please contact 212.319.2787 x Ext. 10 or registrations@vlany.org.

Membership Discount Code:
For members, please contact 212.319.2787 ext. 10 or registrations@vlany.org to receive a membership discount code.

For more information on this program, please contact VLA at registrations@vlany.org or 212.319.2787 x 10.

Instructor:

David Amar focuses his practice at CoveyLaw on preparing O and P visa petitions within the firm’s performing arts division. As a Canadian citizen, he has first-hand experience negotiating the U.S. immigration process. David has worked in various facets of entertainment, IP and employment law, where he has advised entities ranging from independent musicians, to a major publishing corporation, to an early-stage tech startup. He has provided pro bono services to his local food cooperative, and with Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.

David is also a multi-instrumentalist who has performed in various ensembles in Vancouver, Toronto, and New York, and was a professional chef before moving to Brooklyn.

David holds a B.A. from Victoria College at the University of Toronto and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, where he was published in the Brooklyn Journal of International Law. He is admitted to the New York State Bar.

He has presented on visa issues facing performing artists at Mondo Music NYC (US), Manitoba Music’s January Music Meeting (CA), the NYC Bar Association (US), Johannesburg Arts Alive Festival (SA), The BAT Centre (SA), The Music Imbizo (SA), and at Nyege Nyege Festival (UG).