Does a Non-Citizen Working in the U.S. Need a P2 Visa to Perform Music

[IndieManager]

I have just started managing a 21 year old Canadian singer. He will be moving to Nashville very shortly and needs to have a regular job to live on while we build his music career. Once he gets a work visa, will he also need a P-2 visa to perform here? Thanks!

[Mr. Knowitall]

What type of visa will he hold? Are you anticipating that he'll be paid for these performances?

Note that he cannot be in the U.S. on two different, simultaneous employment-based visas.

[IndieManager]

Thanks for the quick reply! We are trying to figure out the best scenario for him. Yes, he will be paid for the performances. He is a concert-level performer. However, in the beginning we know his bookings will be sporadic - probably more than 30 days apart. At the same time, there are the very real chances of him picking up last minute gigs. Obviously it's not practical to get a new visa for every individual performance. We are just confused about how we should proceed so that he can perform as the gigs come up.

[Disagreeable]

A P2 visa is not for him to come to the US and build a career. It is so he can come and temporarily perform as an artist or entertainer.

[IndieManager]

So is there a visa that would allow him to come here and build a career? What is the legal way to do that?

[Disagreeable]

It is unlikely he can at this stage of his career. If he builds a successful career in Canada, it is possible later.

So is there a visa that would allow him to come here and build a career? What is the legal way to do that?

[T53147]

I have just started managing a 21 year old Canadian singer. He will be moving to Nashville very shortly and needs to have a regular job to live on while we build his music career. Once he gets a work visa, will he also need a P-2 visa to perform here? Thanks!

You should have engaged an immigration law attorney. After all, you are in business, and legal expenses are part of that. You are doing this performer a grave disservice by not being as professional as is reasonable to expect.

[IndieManager]

These decisions were actually made last night. So of course I intend to engage an immigration attorney right away. I thought I could get a head start on the process by asking a few questions here first. I want to be as informed as possible when I make the call.

Thanks for all of the help!