US Work Visa P-2. Purpose:
for creative people entering the United States to share experiences through the government exchange program;
for theater companies entering the United States to share experiences through a government exchange program;
for accompanying personnel of P-2 visa holders;
for American agencies and companies that invite creative people to tour the United States or participate in cultural events in the country, according to a mutual program of exchange of experience between the United States and a foreign country.
US Work Visa P-2. Advantages:
Your family can stay with you in the United States while you maintain P-2 status. They can also attend school;
You can travel freely within and outside the United States for the entire duration of your visa.
US Work Visa P-2. Requirements and documents
Requirements.
To obtain P-2 visa status, the following requirements must be met:
Creative people and theater companies
You will have to come to the United States individually or as part of a group as a creative person to exchange experiences, according to a mutual exchange program with the United States. You must prove that:
there is an exchange program between an American and a foreign organization;
people participating in the exchange program have equal ability and will be hired under the same conditions for equal periods of time;
You are also popular and highly regarded as American art workers participating in the mutual program;
the labor organization concerned has negotiated a mutual exchange program.
Main accompanying staff
The American Immigration Center (USCIS) makes the P-2 visa available to the main accompanying staff of creative people. To acquire P-2 status, you must prove that:
You are the creative person’s right hand because you provide support that American workers cannot provide and that is fundamental to their success;
You have the relevant qualifications, knowledge and experience in providing assistance to people of the arts.
Documents for Registration
You cannot apply for a P-2 visa on your own behalf. A US employer must sponsor your P-2 visa. He must submit a Work Visa Application (Form I-129), O and P Visa Supplement (Form I-129O / P) and other supporting documentation to the American Immigration Center (USCIS). Once USCIS gives the go-ahead, you can apply for a P-2 Visa at the American Consulate in your country.
An American entrepreneur or agency, or a foreign entrepreneur through a US agency can apply to USCIS by providing the following documents:
USCIS Form I-129, Work Visa Application;
USCIS Form I-129O / P Supplement to Form I-129;
approval from a sponsoring American organization of a reciprocal exchange arrangement;
a copy of the reciprocal exchange agreement between the American organization sponsoring you and the organization in your country that will accept American artists;
Copies of a certificate describing your experience and skills are the same as those of American citizens visiting your country;
an official confirmation that proves the existence of an exchange program between the United States and your country;
contract and a list of events describing the conditions of work, including payment, dates of events, and duration of the contract;
a written contract between your group or you personally and the support entrepreneur or agency, or, if there is no written contract, a complete description of your verbal agreement;
a detailed description of the tour and its route. Individual escorts must prove that they play a vital role in the service of the performer. The standard defined by USCIS for P-2 visa holders is that their escorts must perform “an integral part of the work that cannot be done by an American worker and which is the basis for successful work.” To apply for a P-2 visa, you must provide the original or a copy of an Employment Authorization Form I-797A or B (authorization sent to your employer when the petition is approved).
Your visa application must include the following documents:
Form DS-160 – Application for a Nonimmigrant Visa;
a copy of a passport that is valid for at least six months outside the period of stay in the United States and with at least one blank page;
two identical color photographs on a light background showing the entire face without head covering. You can wear a headdress if required by the religious community of which you are a member;
a letter from your US employer describing your activities and a statement that you have the necessary skills for the job offered.
US Work Visa P-2. Duration of stay
US Work Visa P-2 – initially issued for the duration of a tour or tour and usually not exceeding 1 year. Upon graduation, USCIS may authorize the extension of the P-2 visa for one more year, to complete the started creative activity.
Visa for a member family members of the P-2 visa holder. A spouse and / or children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany you to the United States during your stay can apply for a P-4 visa.