work visa to dj in the US

[xdeletiax]

Hi, im just curious about how one would go about applying for a visa to DJ in america. is it particularly difficult to obtain a work permit? what kind of background info do they need about you? has anyone here been unsuccessful in their application?

[mojomusic]

posting so i can see replies

[Sheff]

all the sheffield crew make some noisssseeee

[mojomusic]

[Intended Malice]

I'm not sure if you're serious or not, but I have always wondered why you Brits never went through a broker here in the US rather than your manager in the UK for these kind of deals. If there is a lack of one, or any representation for talent I might consider doing something like that on a freelance side if you're in/on the West Coast provided we can come to mutually acceptable terms--I'd charge a fee for the leg work and that. (I have had experience within professional motorsports and the business side of things, while not very fun it was quite enlightening to understand the mechanics of payment and procuring of services within that sector.)

Is it simply coming into the country under the pretense of collecting money (business) that impairs your entry, if so I think I could think of a solution to that.

[ashley]

It costs you more money than being worth it unless you're a big enough DJ who'll make the cash back fairly quickly.

[Sexual_Chocolate]

what ive always wondered is what happens if you dont get a work visa for the states.eg you just say your on holiday, then next minute your playing in a club.


and dont worry, id never suggest this, or even think about doing it myself. your police have guns, so NO THANK YOU!

[Intended Malice]

It costs you more money than being worth it unless you're a big enough DJ who'll make the cash back fairly quickly.

Sounds like all the more reason to have a broker to me.

what ive always wondered is what happens if you dont get a work visa for the states.eg you just say your on holiday, then next minute your playing in a club.


and dont worry, id never suggest this, or even think about doing it myself. your police have guns, so NO THANK YOU!

Haha,than this is clearly not for you (the meek) since its worse than that; the IRS agents have shotguns, combat training and body armor.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/articl ... eally.html

[Shum]

Taxation is serious business motherfucker.

[Sexual_Chocolate]

It costs you more money than being worth it unless you're a big enough DJ who'll make the cash back fairly quickly.

Sounds like all the more reason to have a broker to me.

what ive always wondered is what happens if you dont get a work visa for the states.eg you just say your on holiday, then next minute your playing in a club.


and dont worry, id never suggest this, or even think about doing it myself. your police have guns, so NO THANK YOU!

Haha,than this is clearly not for you (the meek) since its worse than that; the IRS agents have shotguns, combat training and body armor.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/articl ... eally.html

MEEK! no... just fearful (in the respect kind of way haha). Sure our cops have guns n shiz, but not for when your evading tax!

[isiahfire]

Fuck the work visa, go for a holiday, bring laptop and buy cds.

[hellfire machina]

Look into it, they arn't as expensive as you would think.

[Biscuit]

Little bit of info there?
http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208975

[xdeletiax]

cheers for the info. so does the broker take care of the visa? i presume there is a more rigorous background check if yr applying for a work visa than if yr applying for a normal holiday visa- what would this entail?

[xdeletiax]

also if you were trying to sneak in on a holiday visa would customs google your name? cause then they might see you are a dj..

[Sexual_Chocolate]

also if you were trying to sneak in on a holiday visa would customs google your name? cause then they might see you are a dj..

well maybe if you rock through customs with your decks and vinyl haha, other than that i doubt it.
they would only do it to build a case against you (ie they already knew you werent on holiday etc...)

[john b]

Need an agent to help arrange it for you - US agent needs to supply them in Itinerary for proposed tour dates during the period you want the visa for, and you need to give them a big press pack to prove you are a unique talent, which is why you are working in the US (ie not stealing jobs from Americans).

Most DJs use a company in the UK called Traffic Control to petition your application to the US Embassy in the UK - you also obviously fill in a few forms but its not rocket science.

Costs a couple of grand too ish, depending on how many years you are applying for.

If you dont get a visa, and they decide you're going there to work illegally (which would take a second by googling your name, checking against facebook etc) they will refuse you entry, you get a cross in your passport for that country and in the US last time I looked it up you cant come back within 5 years, and it would be damn hard to get a visa or work permit there ever again, and possibly any other countries that would require one.

In short, not doing it properly isn't really a good idea if you've got any sense.

[MikeE]

Need an agent to help arrange it for you - US agent needs to supply them in Itinerary for proposed tour dates during the period you want the visa for, and you need to give them a big press pack to prove you are a unique talent, which is why you are working in the US (ie not stealing jobs from Americans).

Most DJs use a company in the UK called Traffic Control to petition your application to the US Embassy in the UK - you also obviously fill in a few forms but its not rocket science.

Costs a couple of grand too ish, depending on how many years you are applying for.

If you dont get a visa, and they decide you're going there to work illegally (which would take a second by googling your name, checking against facebook etc) they will refuse you entry, you get a cross in your passport for that country and in the US last time I looked it up you cant come back within 5 years, and it would be damn hard to get a visa or work permit there ever again, and possibly any other countries that would require one.

In short, not doing it properly isn't really a good idea if you've got any sense.

This - pretty sure cookie got caught up in this last year?

same goes for any other country. Should be your promoter/tour managers responsiblity to cover the costs then divide up costs via other promotoers ala flight share...

(just spent this morning sorting out someones NZ visa application, begging letter and union approval)...

[xdeletiax]

cheers for all this. what kind of stuff would result in a visa being denied? and what if your going for a short tour- would the visa still cost thousands for just a few weeks stateside?