Firstly I apologize for the radio silence. It appears this thing called normal life decided to include me in it lately. I now work full time. And while I’m happy to be among real people again instead of the fictional ones of the screenplays I write and that live in my head, it does take up some time! Forty hours a week to be precise. Which leaves me with 128 hours to do other stuff, minus 7 x 7 hours of sleep is 79 hours, of which I spent every evening of the weekday doing visa stuff. So that leaves the weekend of 48 hours.
And even the weekends have been eventful. I got cast in the pilot I auditioned for and had chemistry tests today! Fun! Then I did Halloween preparing, drinking, eating and more O1 visa stuff. And since I’ve gotten lots of questions about what exactly “O1 visa stuff” entails, I thought I’d break it down here…
So, the O1 visa is technically a non immigrant temporary work visa for “those who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education,business, or athletics, or who have a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and have been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements.” The O-1B visa is the one for people in the film business. For actors and actresses that were not born in the Land of Dreams. For the Chris Hemsworths and Kate Winslets. The Christoph Waltzes and Carey Mulligans. So what do you need to be able to get this visa?
A Sponsor
You need a US based agent, manager or production company to act as the “sponsor” or “petitioner” for your visa. They’re the ones who vouch to the government that they will employ you and there’s no O1 visa case without a them. While it sounds heavy, in reality it doesn’t comprise of much more than the sponsor answering a small questionnaire and signing you. It’s under 5 minutes work and bares little to no risk, yet this is probably the hardest part of all. Agents and managers have a lot of misconceptions and prejudice about the O1 visa, mostly just because of a lack of knowledge. And apparently once to twice because of a Canadian who violated the terms of his/her completely unrelated visa…
A Lawyer
Unless you’re very at home in immigration law and USCIS policies and bureaucracies the second thing you need is a good immigration lawyer. There are many all over the world and most of them will only take on cases if they think they have a high chance of getting approved. It keeps the law offices’ success rate high and doesn’t waste anyone’s time or money. Because that’s the next thing you need.
Money
An O1B visa including all lawyer fees, filing fees and union letters costs about $4000. On top of that you need money to live off the first few months in Los Angeles. I’ve written before on renting prices and the like in Lalaland in this post. You also need to realize that you can only work as an actor, so it’s very wise to have good savings in case you don’t book the part of Ryan Gosling’s lover right away.
Time
There are a lot of documents that need to be collected to support your O1 visa, and you should probably expect to be dealing with collecting them at least two months. You need about five reference letters, all press of your productions collected neatly and translated, high resolution screenshots of your productions, a detailed resume, an itinerary of all the the time you want to get on your visa, deal memo’s, contracts etc etc etc. The specifics of what you need can be found on the USCIS website as well as many law firm’s websites. They are basically divided in five categories and to apply for a visa you need to be able to supply documents for at least three of them.
Conclusion: it’s a lot of work! But I hoped this made it a little less by clearing up some questions about the fuzzy maze that is visa procedures. If you have any questions left, know that Google is your friend and he also has more time and knowledge than I currently have. However, if he doesn’t help, don’t hesitate to ask me.
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Ben je nu weer in NL of nog steeds in LA?
in Nederland!
I just read that you scored a pilot. Congrats! Is it in Los Angeles or your home country?
My home country, thank you!
How are you going to make an income, if you’re only allowed to work as an actor? I’m not saying you won’t book a part, but the competition is hard. I thought you’d at least be allowed to work as a waitress to make ends meet.
That’s why you can’t really cross to the US with the O1 visa unless a)you’re getting heaps of work for sure and b) being a name actor…
or C) have rich parents or D) saved up a lot of money :)Working as an actor doesn’t have to mean being in a famous Tv show or movie. There’s comedy clubs, theater, working as an extra etc.
I have read from numerous places that statistically it takes around 5-10 years to get a decent break…you gotta save up A LOT of money for that *sigh*
In other news, lottery application is in for me :)
sorry but you are NOT allowed to work as an extra or anything other that is not ACTING work. I have an O1-b and they told me at central casting that I can NOT do extra work. So ONLY acting and if you applied for one other category like modeling you can only do what you applied for in the visa.
Good to know Saeri!
dont put down canadians just yet…..one or two may have used visa’s for different purposes…..but i think they have goven their fare share to showbiz…….
I do admire your tireless enthusiasm, and I am in your corner supporting you along the way.
Hey Shanice!
Ben je nu ook echt verzekerd van een O1B visum of kan het ook nog zomaar zijn dat je die $4000 voor niets hebt geïnvesteerd?
Groetjes!
Mijn advocatenkantoor heeft een 98% success rate voor O visums dus je zou zeggen dat mijn kans groot is, maar ik ga nergens meer van uit!
Wauw, close close very close!! Haha! Ik zal voor je duimen!!
Hi,
I don’t want to be negative, or stamp on your dreams, or anything like that but at some point I corresponded with a screenwriter who made the jump from the UK to LA. Basically, he was one of the winners in Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting competition and that script got him representation and a writing gig at a major studio. Therefore, the studio wanted to sponsor him. His O-1 application included:
- his Nicholl Fellowship certificate
- all US and UK press articles regarding that
- letters of recommendation from over a dozen prominent people in the industry (agents, producers, studio execs, and an Oscar-winning writer)
- contract for the writing assignment at the studio
- letter from WGA stating that they have no objections about him coming to work to the US
and etc.
Guess what? It was still a very close call, and his lawyer already had an extensive plan B in place just in case the application would be rejected and he would have to do the writing assignment from the UK. Don’t fall into the trap of forgetting to work like so many others. If I was you, I would pack my bags, move to London, start working (no matter how small, whether it’s features/shorts/student films/TV/stage/commercials) and networking, and then build a name for yourself so Hollywood comes to you. Why the rush to get straight to LA? What is your game plan?
Go the Noomi Rapace route. She gradually built her career in the Nordic countries by acting in theatre, TV and small films. Finally she got a great role in the Millenium series. The film was a hit around the world and people noticed her. Couple of years later? Sherlock Holmes 2. Prometheus with Ridley Scott. Passion with Brian De Palma. Would she have achieved that if she just went to straight to LA? I don’t think so. She would have been just another face in the endless pile of headshots and reels. There’s also a great documentary about a Norwegian actress who decides to move to LA, and make it big in just three months even though she basically has no resume and her only serious achievement in acting was Mamma Mia! in the 90′s. It’s called “Lisa goes to Hollywood”, you should check it out if you can find it. She thinks it’s 90% of being in LA and networking, 10% working. Nope, it’s the other way around. And it’s not about getting an agent and then working, it’s about working and then getting an agent.
What makes you stand out? Why would an agent take you on, and try and build you from scratch? That Lisa I talked about was told that her West End credits don’t mean anything. What do your credits mean for people in Hollywood? Go to London and build a name for yourself. Don’t worry about “starting from scratch”, that’s essentially what you would be doing in LA. Don’t be just another face in the mass. When the agents, directors and producers hear your name, they should think “ah, the actress who was in XXX!” London is full of opportunities. Volunteer in film school projects, get to know people and make your own films (maybe shoot one of your scripts?), take acting classes/lessons, participate in theatre of any kind… you know, acting stuff. If you shoot a great short film with your friends, put it on Youtube/Vimeo, and enough people watch it, you might be able to get noticed, at least in the UK. And if an UK agent signs you based on your work, they can hook you up with an US agent and eventually get you roles in the US (and the coveted O-1 visa). The UK industry is also very connected with the other side of the pond, talent usually work on both sides, and a lot of the studios etc. also have some kind of presence in the UK. Be proactive, and you can find a lot of work in London, whether you prefer films, TV or theatre. There are over 30 film crews shooting in London every single day. Put the thoughts about getting an agent aside, they will come to you when you are ready.
I don’t mean to be rude (English is not my first language), and I sincerely apologize if I have offended you somehow. I don’t want to discourage you, it’s just that I’ve read your blog since the early days, and you are very talented, IMO. I don’t want to see that go to a waste. You are free to contact me if you want to as I’m a filmmaker myself and it would be great to exchange thoughts with you. Anyway, good luck! :)
Thank you for your honest and elaborate reply! No worries about offending me, I really enjoy an honest discussion and you make valid points. The short version of my reply is that I have considered each and every one of your arguments in my decision and in no way have abandoned the London idea.
The reason I am choosing for LA right now is that I have been going there since I was 18 and have built great friendships, good connections and have a real support system. People looking out for me in ways I still get overwhelmed by. I am completely aware my Dutch credits don’t mean much in Hollywood (trust me I have a friend that is an agent and she’s always very straight with me) and this for me is just another reason to pick LA. Anywhere I go I’ll have to start from scratch, so why not start where most of the work is? Where the sun shines and where I already know my way around.
However, if all’s said and done and LA in some way doesn’t work out or I don’t like it, I will immediately make my way to London. The only issue I have with the European film industry is that they place such emphasis on having gone to an accredited conservatory/theater school, which I haven’t.
Either way, nothing will go to waste, my positivity is something I work hard on and it’s not found in any naivety or illusions. :)
Again, thank you for leaving your thoughts and please continue to do so!
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Heya! Well done on your blog, its trending all over the place! Kudos for trying the O1 route, keeping my fingers crossed it will all work out as hoped! I’m Dutch too and tried the London route that AJ mentioned instead. I did decide to go to drama school here first and that definitely helped open doors, but in general I do think there would be options for you here any way if you’d choose to make that move at some point. I’d definitely hook you up!
I’m currently considering spending some time in the US, as my natural accent is General American and there is a lot more work for African Americans in the US compared to black British actors here. However, I don’t think I’d qualify for the O1 just yet, would prefer some additional credits before I apply. Would you advise me to follow in your footsteps and build up a network there or would you advise to only go once I’m confident the O1 route would work for me? I wonder if it would be beneficial to spend time there without being able to work. Have you met a lot of people out there that were able to use their time productively without a visa?
Hi Roger, thanks for leaving your thoughts. I’d say it’s wise to go to LA just to see what it’s like and if it’s for you if you plan on moving there with an O1 eventually. But as for work, you can not legally do that without a visa but what you can do is meet tons of people and take classes. Also, I don’t you how else you’d get in touch with an LA agent, which you need to get an O1, unless you have solid contacts in the UK of course :) Good luck and keep us posted.
Cheers, yeah a sponsor for the O1 is already sorted, I just don’t think USCIS would approve the application based on my level of ‘exceptionalism’ ;).
I have spent time in the US before and sort of know what to expect, but mostly in NY/East Coast. I guess it couldn’t hurt visiting LA to build up the network there though and see if I prefer it over NY.. Will have a think and keep you posted!
Hi Shanice,
Ik volg je avonturen nu al een hele tijd en niet alleen omdat je zo leuk schrijft. Ik ben niet zo van de ‘comments’, maar ik moet in ieder geval één keertje aan je laten weten dat ik er zo’n bewondering voor heb hoe jij je droom volgt. Wat ben jij een doorzetter!
Ik duim voor je!
groetjes, Nienke
Hi Nienke, superleuk dat je toch de moeite hebt genomen wat achter te laten! Ik zie wel cijfertjes dat mensen hier lezen maar daar kan je je zo weinig bij voorstellen dus yay!
Awesome job on writing this up and helping others to pursue their dream. Another +1 for you ;)
Hi ,
I’m from Brazil and i’m planning on move to LÁ later this year.
The thing is , i always find people saying i need credits in my country, before i try to make it in LA, like the hemsworths did,
BUT , EVANGELINE LILLY
Late on lost. This was ver first role , ever. Shes canadian , and she had never done anything before she got cast on lost.
Do u have any information about get getting get visa ??
Thank you !
Hi there, there’s exceptions to every rule but in general there isn’t much you can do without a work visa in the US. Evangeline had an agent in Canada with good connections that got her represented in LA. If you have very special skills or are a stunning 16 year old you might also be able to find someone willing to audition you without a work visa but in general industry people don’t want to take the risk because what if you do get a part and can’t get a visa? It will reflect badly on them. So try to get a visa. Browse the visa trouble tag on this blog or do a search for more info.
thank you !
but what i was thinking is, how did she prove to the immigration that she had extraordinary abillitie , if she had never done any acting before LOST ?
The Hemsworths were also on a tourist visa when they got cast on thor and The last song, but they both had done some work in Australia. But not Evangeline, Lost was her first role, so i didnt really get , how she got to prove she was extraordinary.
(Someone on the IMDB forum, said that rumour has it, she slept with some influent guy, in order to get the visa lol)
Hi Marcus, it’s easier for Canadians, there are different visas for them I believe. In the end though, you never know how these stars got their visas, same with the Hemsworths. Unless they want to take the he/she-worked-years-in-poverty-without-success-and-now-finally-had-a-breakthrough angle, a lot of times the PR team etc. around a celebrity will try to make it look like they never took an acting class nor an immigration lawyer and made their way in the business by the pure magic of their talent and personality. I just got inspired, might write a post on this!
Hey Marcus,
What lots of people don’t realise is that sometimes, perhaps a lot more these days, American TV shows are funded using not just American money. Interestingly enough, Australia puts quite a lot of money into shows that are being spearheaded by American networks.
What tends to happen is that due to the international funding, casting can, and is often affected. So for example, NBC is doing a new series this year called “Camp”. Because there is Australian money in it, they are not allowed to cast Americans, even though it is an American show! So they have been casting in London and Australia, looking for actors who can do flawless American accents.
Lots of American movies shoot away from the US to save money (casting outside the US for example is infinitely cheaper) and many other reasons and now, due to the beauty of the Internet, actors can be cast anywhere in the world.
The long and short of it is that the path to an O1 could be as straight forward as it could be convoluted. Lots of the stories told are often not true anyway.
You could get a company that could guide you quickly and easily though the O1 process, even if your credits don’t seem to amount to much. It is all in the presentation. As long as the BALANCE of criteria is satisfied, you’ll be fine. But it requires someone experienced and invested in your case enough to help steer you to it.
It will always seem complicated from the outside.
This is very interesting information Bu, thanks for sharing.
Hey there!
I’ve just gone through the gruelling O1 process myself (and actually I highly recommend Kate Raynor associates law firm in L.A, they are top quality when it comes to O1 VISA’s, and roughly $3500!)
I’ve been snooping the internet for some answers and thought I’d try my luck here, my VISA sponsor is my agency but i’m now looking into signing with an additional agent (one for dance one for acting) and am wondering if I could get away with that? Do you have any insights on this? Because I’ll still be working for my sponsor, who enables me to work for multiple employers, maybe my extra agent could be one of those employers?
Anyway, any opinions and thoughts on this would be much appreciated!
congrats on you success thus far!
Hi Smac, you should really discuss this with your lawyer, I’m not sure!
Ask your friends or family if they know a good immigration solicitor. It is very probable that at least one person in your network needed an immigration solicitor at one point or another in their life. People are very quick when making positive recommendations and even quicker to warn others about a bad experience.
The best way to get O-1 visa, if you wanna go straight to NY/LA to start your career, is to apply for student visa first (F-1). Then, after your studying has started, you should go to a good immigration lawyer and discuss with him what you have to do next. It’s exiting process actually.
While you’re studying, you can do any unpaid work (correct me if I’m wrong). You can do non-paid productions, there are a lots of options in NY or LA. Or you can do student movies. You do everything you can to build up your resume.
And very important thing that you should know! People who will decide whether to give you O-1 visa, know that you’re not some stupid immigrant who came to US with tourist visa and refused to leave the country. They understand that you’re honest and full of dreams. And what’s even more important, they know that you respect the law. They know that maybe one day you will make them proud. Believe me, there are so many actors who graduated from the drama institute in NY or LA and decided to apply for O-1 visa. And almost all of them got it. It’s just a very few people who graduated from a drama institute do that, ’cause that’s a huge step for you. You just have to start this process right when you came to the US.
And remember this! Being a good, wealthy actor, doesn’t mean that you have to be as famous as Brad Pitt is. You can be not famous as him or many others, but you do the job you really like and you make enough money to support yourself and your family through acting. And, believe me, this is one of the best feelings of all.