US immigration to expedite visa process for performers

United States, 29th July: Finally, the US immigration department is waking up to speed up the process of US visas for artists and performers.

The USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) has been receiving complaints about the slow US visa process for foreign artists and performers for quite a few years. The US government had been under severe pressure from the White House Domestic Policy Council, not-for-profit arts community and members of the Senate and the House.

So, from now on, O and P visa applications which are meant to be used by artists, athletes and performers will be processed within a record time of 14 days as compared to the earlier US visa processing times for foreign performers going up as long as 120 days. 

According to new director of Department of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, a standard is being established by the agency for our esteemed clients and for ourselves so as to measure whether we have failed or passed.

Hence, the aim of the agency is to ensure timely processing of US visas for performers and foreign artists while ensuring transparency, fairness and efficiency in the US visa process.

The news is being welcomed by lawyers, managers and artist advocates from the world over. Vice president of League of American Orchestras, Heather Noonan, hopes that the planned changes by the agency will bring in much desired improvements in the cultural exchange at international level.

Nonetheless, the fear of cancellation of US visas for artists at the last moment is still a cause of great concern for many. 

Moreover, it is a common notion that US visa process is not only an expensive affair but also could prove to be quite tedious and chaotic for applicants desirous of getting US visas for performers.

Delays and denials in the approval of US visas for foreign performers and artists began when premium visa processing was initiated by the US government way back in 2001. Although, main aim of this program was to ensure timely visa processing by paying a higher fee for processing, but this service developed serious snags especially after the September 11 US attacks.