P2 VISA — WORKING IN THE U.S.
To travel to the United States and work as a visiting musician legally,
you will have to get a P2 Visa from the US Immigration and Naturalization
Service (INS).
Due to recent security related measures at the border, this is getting to
be much harder than it used to be. Make sure you allow a lot of time for
the application to go through.
Although this checklist will help you prepare your P2 Visa Application, it is only a guide. Please get in touch with Edith Stacey at the EMA office for the most current forms and information.
WHAT IS A P2 or P2-S U.S. Work Permit?
A P2 [non-immigrant] Temporary Work Permit is for a non-US citizen temporarily entering the US to perform as an artist or entertainer, individually or as part of a group, under a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the United States and an organization of a Foreign country. The P2 can be valid for a maximum of 1 year as long as you submit proof of work (contract, letter of engagement, other confirmation of performance and a covering itinerary when performing for more than one venue) occurring at least once every 30 days.
A P2-S [non-immigrant] Temporary Work Permit is for essential support (technical crew) workers who are integral to the performance of the musician(s). A P2-S essential support petition must be accompanied by a primary P2 (musician) petition.
The current timelines and fees are subject to change. ALWAYS contact the EMA or CFM well in advance of your application to see if there have been any recent changes.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE? HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
REGULAR PROCESSING
- 49 Days
- $325.00 USD money order payable to Department of Homeland Security, money order must be obtained from a major Canadian or U.S. bank. NOTE: NO Canada Postal Office or Credit Union Money Orders
- All fees above double when essential support/technical crew are on the file.
- Administration fee payable to AFM by personal cheque, cash or money order, on both P-2 (Musicians) and P2-S (Essential Support) files: $100 for one musician/technician or the first musician/technician, PLUS $20 per additional musician/technician. Example: a 4 piece band pays $160 for their P2 administration fee, and, if this band has 3 techs an additional $140 is payable to cover the administration fee for their P2-S. In this example the total administration fee payable covering both musicians and techs is $300.
PREMIUM PROCESSING
- 29 Days
- 2 US Money Orders;
- $1225.00 USD money order payable to Department of Homeland Security
- $325.00 USD money order payable to Department of Homeland Security
- All above fees double when essential support/technical crew are on the file. A total of 4 money orders to the Department of Homeland Security in the amounts referenced above. Money orders must be obtained from a major Canadian or US bank. NOTE: NO Canada Postal Office or Credit Union Money Orders
- AFM Administration fee is the same as explained under Regular Processing
The EMA charges a Courier Fee if we send your application to the Canadian Federation of Musicians
PART 1 – Personal Information for Musician and Essential Support Personnel
Each musician/member of the band and each essential support personnel must fill out a Part 1. Part 1 asks for each individual’s name, sex, date of birth, contact information, passport and citizenship information, as well as disclosure of any denial into USA.
PASSPORT INFORMATION
The Passport Number can be found on the top right corner of your passport biometric page (photo page). Expiry date can be found at the bottom of your passport photo page.
NOTE: It is imperative to include a photocopy of each individual’s Passport photo page.
Visa History Information and Membership Verification USCIS requires the following visa information from petitioners. Have you ever held the following classification of visas: P2, P2S, Student & Exchange Visitor Visa (SEVIS#), Employment Authorization (EAD #), or, J1/J2 Exchange Visa? Please indicate all applicable classification numbers on Part 1 of the application, if you have held any of these classifications of US permits previously.
If you are applying for an extension, you will indicate that on the application as well.
WHAT IS AN EXTENSION?
Extension definition: same engager, same performers, same services as were applicable/provided under the previously approved P2. There cannot be a lapse in the status being extended. In other words, the current P2/P2S cannot expire prior to or during the application to extend. Copies of the previous P2/P2S approval notice(s), copies of all musician/essential support I-94 Departure Record Cards (front and back) must be included with the application forms, when applying for an extension. If applicable, please provide your temporary US address.
Example of an I-94 Card
Membership Verification
All musicians must be members in good standing of the AFM, in order for AFM to petition on their behalf. The end date of the P2 visa being requested is the same end date membership dues must be paid until (or the quarter that date falls within). Essential support personnel are not required to be AFM members.
PART 2 - Traveling Information
Each musician/essential support personnel of the band must complete Part 2. It is necessary to know the when, where, and how each individual will be entering the United States, prior to the first gig, as this will be the location where the I 94 is issued [after the very first entry under any new P2 approval, persons may enter at any land/sea port or airport pre flight for all subsequent trips to/from US during the approved validity period of the P2].
REQUESTED DATE OF ENTRY: Is typically 1 day before the first performance (or rehearsal) date. The entry date cannot be any more than 2 days prior to the first performance, unless there is a valid explanation, such as necessary driving time. This does NOT include vacationing. If planning a vacation prior to or immediately after touring please contact our office for further information and instruction.
REQUESTED DATE OF EXIT: Is typically the day immediately after the very last scheduled performance [i.e. the final time returning to Canada, after all performances under the present tour are completed]. So, the day after the last engagement should be noted, unless there is a reasonable explanation for requiring more time. This is also the date when US Immigration will expect you to return to Canada and relinquish the I-94 to US Immigration.
PRE-FLIGHT INSPECTION: If you are traveling to the US by air, please indicate the airport where you will first be clearing customs. This is the location that US Immigration will expect you to enter and where your I-94 Departure Record is issued.
Example: PEARSON AIRPORT – Toronto, ON
PORT OF ENTRY: If you are traveling to the US by land/sea, please indicate the port you will be entering the US at. This is the location that US Immigration will expect you to enter through and where your I-94 Departure Record will be issued.
Example: AMBASSADOR BRIDGE – Windsor, ON to Detroit, MI.
PART 3 - Policy of Indemnity
This section advises of the AFM’s role as the Authorized Petitioner of your P2/P2S Petition. It is important for all musicians/essential support and their representatives to thoroughly read all terms and conditions regarding the processing of the P2/P2S. The authorized individual for the band (leader, manager, etc.) must sign one copy on behalf of the band.
AFM REQUIRES musician/band contact information: (a) in the event additional information is needed to complete the application; (b) if any problems that arise; (c) When the P2/P2S is been approved we need a contact name and valid address to send the notice to.
PART 4 - Musician/Technician Listing
Only applicable when applying for 2 or more musicians or essential support personnel. This helps indentify to US Immigration everyone in the band/crew and the duty of each person.
- MUSICIAN NAME INSTRUMENT PLAYED/VOCALIST
JOHN DOE GUITAR, BASS
- TECHICIAN NAME/ SUPPORT STAFF TECHNICAL SUPPORT DESCRIPTION
LIGHT/AUDIO/VIDEO/TOUR MANAGER
JANE DOE AUDIO –SOUND TECH
PART 5 - Technician Employment Verification
Only applicable to musicians touring with essential
support/technical crew Part 5 to be completed by the leader or band’s authorized representative. State the Band name under ‘Band Known As’. State the name(s) of the essential support/technical and indicate the number of years they have been with the band. Signature and providing contact information at the bottom is imperative.
In addition to Part 5, a letter written and signed by the leader or authorized representative for the band, outlining each essential support (crew) persons history with the band, professional skills and reasons why they are the best [only] candidate(s) for the job.
PART 6 – Side Musician(s) Employment Verification
Only applicable when the individual is being hired by more than one Canadian and/or US based band to tour in the USA, or, as a session/side musician, or, when a US band engages a Canadian as a side musician. For a freelance [individual] musician to be able to perform with more than one band during the time period of each band’s P2 [when accompanying other Canadian bands under a P2 or other US temporary permit Classification], the freelance musician must apply for and obtain his/her own, individual P2. Each band (leader or authorized representative) must complete Part 6 for the individual musician and submit it along with copies of all work evidence/tour itinerary. Part 6 should also be completed when a Canadian is engaged as a sideman with a US band, to perform with that band within the US – or when engaged by both a Canadian band and a US based band.
For completion by band leader or band’s representative: state the band name under ‘Band Known As’. State the Freelance musician(s) name(s). Indicate how much the musician(s) will be paid for each performance. Signature and providing contact information at the bottom is imperative.
BAND ‘A’
P2 Valid from
April 18 2010 – June 20 2010
MUSICIAN
Must have a P2 Valid from
April 18 2010 – January 2nd 2011
BAND ‘B’
P2 Valid from
June 1 2010 – January 2nd 2011
Courier or Mail P2 Application packages to:
AFM
150 Ferrand Drive #202
Toronto, ON M3C 3E5 Canada
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