Sourcing the correct work permit can be a complicated undertaking, and if done incorrectly could potentially restrict future travel plans and limit your US career, but lucky for you - it’s our speciality.

Now, let's be honest, we know talking about visas, work permits, and travel documentation isn’t the most exciting topic of conversation. It’s boring, but lacking a good understanding of this dreary process could break your career.

Over the years we’ve seen people make all kinds of mistakes from messing up their paperwork, to applying for the wrong visas. Not only can these kinds of mistakes result in entry refusals and cancelled tours, but they can also set you back a lot of money!

So, for those of you planning on taking your music to the US here are our top tips, to help get you there!

Apply for the correct visa for what your doing

If you’re caught trying to enter the US with the incorrect visa, CBP will most likely turn you around and send you straight home. Not only will you have to cancel shows when they send you packing, but you will also (at the very least) lose your entitlements to enter the US via ESTA - even if it’s a genuine mistake. That means you’ll have to go through the visa process whenever you visit the US whether it’s for business or pleasure.

Don’t leave visas til the 11th hour! Put them close to the top of the priority list!

The most common problem we encounter is artists and management teams simply not allowing enough time to properly process all the visas they need.

It’s difficult, we know, because while bigger artists plan their tours a long time in advance, for smaller artists offers can come much later in the day. Keep in mind the time frame for each visa application can vary massively depending on the category you’re applying for, your personal circumstances and how busy the embassy is. So, if you’re a clever sausage, you’ll leave as much time as possible! Visas can take longer than you expect, and rush jobs end up costing more.

Be completely honest!

If you have had any interactions with the police, at any age, no matter if it was when you were caught with a joint at 15 and you’re now 55, we need to know!

You can be inadmissible for a crime - even if you’ve never been convicted of it. That’s why we always ask for COMPLETE disclosure of any past incidents as the US authorities tend to view wilful misrepresentation with more severity than the original crime.

Honesty is always the best policy, that way we can make your visa application go as smoothly and speedily as possible, but we can’t do that if you tell us porkies! Keeping things to yourself can lead to delays or even visa denials.

So, don’t be shy, we’ve heard it all! Plus, problem applicants and short time leads are our specialities.

Budget, Budget, Budget!

Your visa and immigration needs should be given as much consideration as your sound and lighting requirement.

You don’t have to go to a visa consultancy to get your visas done. You can do the majority of visa processing yourself, but amidst the mound of paperwork, time and mental energy it takes, most of the people we speak to prefer to outsource to an expert.

American work visas can come at a hefty price for new and emerging talent. It’s going to be upwards of £5000 by the time you get to the US. The UK music industry is lobbying to try and change it - The Musicians Union, ourselves and other organisations are trying to make it more cost-effective, but at the moment we’re stuck with it as is, and artist visas are not a very high priority for the US government.

That brings us to our next point…

We know it's expensive but don’t be put off by the cost

Let’s not beat around the bush - it’s a lot of money! BUT when you put the cost into perspective, that visa could last you three years which is a lot of touring time. Whether you tackle the cost through grants, crowdfunding or just pinching those pennies for a while, it’s doable! If you’re based in the UK, there’s also a handful of funding opportunities that you can apply for through the PRS Foundation and the Arts Council of England. If you’re worried about budget & need some advice, talk to us - we can help.

Be strategic

For example, if you have Japan, China and South Korea applications to do, count the number of days each embassy will need your passport for and plan accordingly.

Also, remember to check holiday dates around the world when you are planning your visa. Holiday dates vary from country to country and consulates and embassies often have holidays on the dates of home and host countries which could affect the turnaround time of your visas.

Moving Goal Posts

One of our jobs as a visa company is to keep up to date with all the changes in both rules and any interpretations of those rules. It’s not easy, because the relevant authorities don’t necessarily have PR departments - they don’t always tell you everything.

If you’re not sure about something, ask us!

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So, you want to perform in the USA? Here’s how you can make it happen as stress free as possible!