Next we'll need you to send us some important "supporting documents".
Below is a list of what else we need from you. Please send all documents in the requested formats. If something poses a problem, please let us know.
A word to the wise: feel free to start sending us documents immediately, but know that we typically cannot thoroughly evaluate the quality of incoming documents until we have received payment of your invoice. This means that if you send us documents which do not conform to the specifications below, we may not notice until after you pay us, which could lead to unexpected delays.
We MUST have the following documents:
PRESS:
It is very important that we work together to present to the USCIS the best possible press for you, so please read this carefully. This is what they want:
Press from your country and from abroad. Your home domestic press is probably the most impressive, so we should have some of that. However, we also have to prove that you are an "international artist," so we MUST have foreign press. Obviously, the more impressive the better, but anything helps. It need not be in English, but if it is not, we may need to secure translations of some or all of your press. If you plan to use non-English press, discuss this with us so we can advise you on the best way to prepare documents the CIS will accept.
Old and new press. We have to prove that you are an artist with sustained success. To do this we need a mixture of press from throughout your career. Ideally, please send us six good reviews, features, or interviews from your country, and six pieces from other countries (as many other countries as possible). In total you should be sending us about twelve pieces of press. IMPORTANT: You MUST indicate for clipping the magazine name, country, and publication date. If you wish to submit online press, please just send us an email listing functioning URL links. (If you don't do this, we'll just have to ask you to identify them all later, and that's a waste of everybody's time.) IMPORTANT: Please fax press clippings to our US fax number, +1(413)513.1157, or e-mail them to your case manager as greyscale scans (200dpi JPGs, high-res).
TAMIZDAT AGREEMENT:
We need the artist or their management to sign and fax or scan to us our client agreement, that can be downloaded here: DOWNLOAD
BIOGRAPHY & DISCOGRAPHY:
We need a complete biography and discography of the artist or group. Make sure to include information about awards or prizes the group has received, even if they seem insignificant to you. Please do not send a press release about your most recent release, and please make sure it casts you in the best light (not "these half-wit dossers from Brighton..."). This should read like and All Music Guide or Wikipedia entry about the artist.
IMPORTANT: Bio must be in English, and it must be in the text of an e-mail or a text file emailed to your case manager.
MANAGEMENT LETTER:
We need your home management to paste this letter onto their letterhead, print it out sign it, and fax it to our US fax number: +1(413) 513.1157. DOWNLOAD. If you are a self-managed artist, please download this letter instead DOWNLOAD, complete it, put it on your personal letterhead, sign it, and scan it and email it to your case manager or fax it back to us at +1 (413) 513.1157.LABEL LETTER:
We need your label to provide us with a letter. The exact format of this letter will depend on your case, and will be provided by your case manager.TESTIMONIAL LETTER:
We need you to get a testimonial letter written on your behalf. The best author is someone who is a culture professional who does not working directly with the artist, but is familiar with the artist's work. The exact format of this letter will depend on your case, and will be provided by your case manager. ITINERARY:
The US Government only issues visas for the duration of time that they are convinced that you need in order to complete your engagements in the US. To prove that you have something to do in the US, we need to provide the government with an itinerary of your engagements, and it needs to show the explain your activities during the whole duration of time during which you hope your visa to be valid. The itinerary should include the DATES, VENUES, VENUE ADDRESSES, PROMOTERS and DEALS. It should also include an explanation of what you will be doing during any gaps between US engagements of more than 30 days, for example "June 4 - July 26: Recording sessions at XYZ Studios, Los Angles," or "December 20 - January 25: On tour in United Kingdom". The itinerary should be in some editable format, like Excel, Word, or a text file. It should be as complete as possible. Please email it to your case manager. If you are seeking a visa with a long duration, ask for our help in preparing the necessary itinerary to facilitate this.
CONTRACTS:
Due to recent policy changes, the US government now frequently wants to see documentation that proves that at least some of the events listed on your itinerary are contracted. These documents need to come from the venue or presenter, and need to specify the date and address of the performance, and the amount that will be paid. The best documents to satisfy this requirement are signed contracts. Deal memos, letters of engagement, or even written offers from talent buyers can all help satisfy this requirement. It is not necessary to supply this kind of document for all events listed on the itinerary, but as we work with you to prepare your petition, we will discuss with you exactly how much of this documentation will be enough. Alternately, or possibly in addition, your case manager may ask your for a copy of your contract with a non-US record label, or some other entity.
YOUR MOST RECENT RELEASE:
We need you to post to us your most recent release (probably your newest CD). Please send it to Covey Law, 20 Jay Street, Suite 308, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA. This is not normally as urgent as other documents, so it's fine to send it normal airmail.
CONTINUE
