Working in the States

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	Topic: Working in the States
Posted : 17/02/10 / Views : 768 / Replies : 6 /
BlakeJ 1437 posts last on: 08/02/12 send private reply	Hi all, I know this has been discussed before, but what IS the actual procedure for a Brit actor to work in the states? how much does it cost to get a green card and what is the way to go about it?

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	Reply #1
Posted : 16/02/10
anonymous	You need an O1 VISA at the least which is for "actors of extraordinary ability". There is a lot of criteria such as letters of recommendation, sponsors, press etc. I believe there is also a visa called an H1 for less experienced actors but that is like a lottery ticket to get, apparently. The green card criteria is much like the O1 with a bit extra however it costs more and takes up to 18months to get approved once you have applied. The cost of Visa/green card depends on the lawyer you use. There is a lot of information on the internet on this subject and I am sure a lot of people here can help you out with more information...

Reply #1

Posted : 16/02/10

anonymous

You need an O1 VISA at the least which is for "actors of extraordinary ability". There is a lot of criteria such as letters of recommendation, sponsors, press etc.

I believe there is also a visa called an H1 for less experienced actors but that is like a lottery ticket to get, apparently.

The green card criteria is much like the O1 with a bit extra however it costs more and takes up to 18months to get approved once you have applied.

The cost of Visa/green card depends on the lawyer you use.

There is a lot of information on the internet on this subject and I am sure a lot of people here can help you out with more information...

	Reply #2
Posted : 16/02/10
clairedodin 425 posts last on: 08/02/12 send private reply	Hi Blake, If you do a search on this forum you'll find all the info you need. The only thing that hasn't been said yet I think, is that if you get an 01 visa, within a year you'll have to apply for the Green card or to extend your visa because of the long delays; otherwise you may find yourself with a few months when you have to come back to the UK because your visa will have expired and the new one not accepted yet. The other solution is to apply for a change of the visa, which would solve this problem because you'd get a temporary working permit while the application is processed, but if your application is denied (and it can happen at any time during the process) then you lose the months left on the visa and you'll ave to move back straight away. Most people aren't aware of this at first. What this means is that you need to have the finances to pay twice in a row the $5000 or above that it costs to employ the lawyer. This comes on top of the expenses of a move and the fact that you cannot have a day job over there; the terms of the visa are very clear: you can only work in the entertainment business. It is also true that some studios will not employ people on an 01, but getting the Green card under the extraordinary ability is very hard, the criteria are even stricter. I'm not saying that it is impossible, but getting the 01 first seems to still be the best option. Despite this, I have constantly been working in paid jobs since I moved there last year (not very well paid, but enough to make a living). But everyone's circumstances are different, many people don't book anything at all. If you want to do this, you'll need at least $20,000 savings. It doesn't come cheap. expenses: -Lawyer: 2x$5000 (at best, it can cost up to $9000 each time) -plane tickets $$ -Car $$$$$ -Deposit for apartment, electricity, gas etc... (because you'll have no credit rating in the US, each company will charge you ridiculous deposits and you'll have to buy your car cash) -furniture (everything is unfurnished over there, not like in London) -telephone etc.... I wish you the best of luck if you decide to go for it, and you can pm me if you have other questions. Claire x

Reply #2

Posted : 16/02/10

clairedodin
425 posts
last on: 08/02/12
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Hi Blake,

If you do a search on this forum you'll find all the info you need.

The only thing that hasn't been said yet I think, is that if you get an 01 visa, within a year you'll have to apply for the Green card or to extend your visa because of the long delays; otherwise you may find yourself with a few months when you have to come back to the UK because your visa will have expired and the new one not accepted yet.
The other solution is to apply for a change of the visa, which would solve this problem because you'd get a temporary working permit while the application is processed, but if your application is denied (and it can happen at any time during the process) then you lose the months left on the visa and you'll ave to move back straight away.

Most people aren't aware of this at first.

What this means is that you need to have the finances to pay twice in a row the $5000 or above that it costs to employ the lawyer.

This comes on top of the expenses of a move and the fact that you cannot have a day job over there; the terms of the visa are very clear: you can only work in the entertainment business.

It is also true that some studios will not employ people on an 01, but getting the Green card under the extraordinary ability is very hard, the criteria are even stricter.
I'm not saying that it is impossible, but getting the 01 first seems to still be the best option.

Despite this, I have constantly been working in paid jobs since I moved there last year (not very well paid, but enough to make a living).
But everyone's circumstances are different, many people don't book anything at all.

If you want to do this, you'll need at least $20,000 savings.
It doesn't come cheap.

expenses:

-Lawyer: 2x$5000 (at best, it can cost up to $9000 each time)
-plane tickets $$
-Car $$$$$
-Deposit for apartment, electricity, gas etc... (because you'll have no credit rating in the US, each company will charge you ridiculous deposits and you'll have to buy your car cash)
-furniture (everything is unfurnished over there, not like in London)
-telephone

etc....

I wish you the best of luck if you decide to go for it, and you can pm me if you have other questions.

Claire x

	Reply #3
Posted : 16/02/10
anonymous	That all sounds very scary but it really isn't... Everyone's experience is different... $5,000 seems steep... If you look for a furnished appt you will find one quite easily, renting a room etc can also be done, as well as renting cars. Gas is very cheap, most things are cheaper apart from groceries! Of course you can apply for the Visa without a lawyer too... I think there is an idea about gaining a visa; that it is so unbelievably difficult. Where there is a will there is a way...

Reply #3

Posted : 16/02/10

anonymous

That all sounds very scary but it really isn't...

Everyone's experience is different... $5,000 seems steep...

If you look for a furnished appt you will find one quite easily, renting a room etc can also be done, as well as renting cars. Gas is very cheap, most things are cheaper apart from groceries!

Of course you can apply for the Visa without a lawyer too...

I think there is an idea about gaining a visa; that it is so unbelievably difficult.

Where there is a will there is a way...

	Reply #4
Posted : 17/02/10
clairedodin 425 posts last on: 08/02/12 send private reply	just a thought: Blake, you're not English but South African, right? Have a look at the Green Card lottery, you may qualify. You've missed it for this year as there's usually a 2 months window around October/November ; but maybe you'll be able to play next year. It's free (stay away from any companies that try to charge you for it, on the US embassy website you can apply for free) I wouldn't recommend applying for the 01 or Green Card by yourself unless you get married. I know several people whose application has been denied even though they had lawyers; and the cheapest lawyer I found was $5000 + various fees. And of course anything is possible, I managed to do it, others can too. But plan it wisely so you don't waste your money or find yourself having to come back because you've run out of money.

Reply #4

Posted : 17/02/10

clairedodin
425 posts
last on: 08/02/12
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just a thought: Blake, you're not English but South African, right?
Have a look at the Green Card lottery, you may qualify.
You've missed it for this year as there's usually a 2 months window around October/November ; but maybe you'll be able to play next year.
It's free (stay away from any companies that try to charge you for it, on the US embassy website you can apply for free)
I wouldn't recommend applying for the 01 or Green Card by yourself unless you get married. I know several people whose application has been denied even though they had lawyers; and the cheapest lawyer I found was $5000 + various fees.

And of course anything is possible, I managed to do it, others can too. But plan it wisely so you don't waste your money or find yourself having to come back because you've run out of money.

	Reply #5
Posted : 17/02/10
roxanehrenton 3 posts last on: 06/02/12 send private reply	Do an acting course or train at a drama school there and on graduating you have a period of grace where you can work as an actor. During this time, apply for your O-1. You will need at least $5000 for a lawyer who will fast track/give you a good chance of getting the visa (though not a guarantee) and a sponsor!!! Crucial and hard to find unless you have good connections and worked with people you trust. I trained in the states for 3 years, had a year of grace where I worked and gained contacts and back home I'm saving up the money to get the O-1 visa and the acting experience I need to help my application. I need dozens of letters explaining why I'm so great and why I would be a benefit to the american screen industry etc... Can be done. Any questions, drop me a line. It's different for everyone but ultimately money and hard ambition are vital. And a lawyer.

Reply #5

Posted : 17/02/10

roxanehrenton
3 posts
last on: 06/02/12
send private reply

Do an acting course or train at a drama school there and on graduating you have a period of grace where you can work as an actor. During this time, apply for your O-1. You will need at least $5000 for a lawyer who will fast track/give you a good chance of getting the visa (though not a guarantee) and a sponsor!!! Crucial and hard to find unless you have good connections and worked with people you trust. I trained in the states for 3 years, had a year of grace where I worked and gained contacts and back home I'm saving up the money to get the O-1 visa and the acting experience I need to help my application. I need dozens of letters explaining why I'm so great and why I would be a benefit to the american screen industry etc... Can be done. Any questions, drop me a line.

It's different for everyone but ultimately money and hard ambition are vital. And a lawyer.

	Reply #6
Posted : 17/02/10
Allan.OKeefe 710 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Hi...fiddly ...dee ... a Lawyer's life for me !!!

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