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The BAM! Bulletin - Jul. 2023
Brought to you by Robert Baird, Consultant
Monthly advice and help on visas, work permits,
taxation, withholding, and crossing the border
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USCIS Fee Increase Decision
Delayed until March 2024
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Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shared in its spring regulatory agenda that a final rulemaking will not occur until March 2024. The League of American Orchestras reports:
"USCIS is continuing to consider public feedback submitted in response to the proposal, which included numerous comments from the arts sector, opposing proposals that would more than triple the current artist visa filing fee, cap the number of beneficiaries for group petitions, and lengthen the time USCIS has to respond to petitions filed via Premium Processing Service. An announcement of final rules in March 2024 would set new fee levels that could differ from the proposed fees, confirm any policy changes, and also set a date by which any changes would take effect."
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Fully Implements ESTA Ineligibility
Due to Cuba Travel
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The U.S. Department of State designated Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) on January 12, 2021. Now, with limited exceptions, a traveler who is found to have visited Cuba on or after January 12, 2021 is not eligible for travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) using an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and must apply for a visa to travel to the United States. Additionally, a traveler who at the time of application for an ESTA holds dual nationality with both a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country and Cuba is not eligible for travel under the VWP using an ESTA and must apply for a visa to travel to the United States. If an ESTA has already been approved and it is later determined that the traveler has been present in Cuba or holds dual nationality with both a VWP country and Cuba, the ESTA will be revoked.
Ineligibility for an ESTA is not a bar to travel to the United States; individuals who are not eligible to travel under the VWP may apply for a visa at any U.S. embassy or consulate.
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Crabby Bob
Crabby
Solutions
to
Common
Problems
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Dear Crabby Bob,
We applied for a P1 Visa but it was not approved in time for our tour. What's up with that?
Short answer? You applied too late! Want a second opinion? You didn't apply early enough!!
I always tell people that, when it comes to government, time is of the essence. Governments are BIG organizations and often it takes longer than you think for a process to be completed. Not because they're delaying things unduly, but simply because the volume of what they have to do is beyond our understanding.
USCIS receives 18,000 applications per day. That's over 6.5 million a year! Immigration Canada has over a million applications in its inventories at any given time!
When you know what they're dealing with, it might behoove you to do things in a timely manner - the earlier the better. You might say "behoove" or be sorry. You can apply up to a year in advance, so get those applications in as soon as possible and things will be better. Tell them Crabby Bob sent you.
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Upcoming Conferences
(in-person unless otherwise indicated)
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WOMEXOct. 25-29, 2023A Coruña, Galicia, SPAIN
CAPACOANov. 4-8, 2023(location TBD)
ISPAJan. 9-11, 2024New York, NY
APAPJan. 12-16, 2024New York, NY
CINARSNov. 11-16, 2024Montréal, QC, Canada
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Did You Know?
You can get a waiver of the 15% withholding on foreign artists in Canada by filing an R-105 Waiver. The waiver process is complicated and often requires more than one level of application.
Email or phone Robert with your visa questions: 416-887-2151 (Cell), 1-800-867-3281 (Toll-free North America), 705-424-6507 (Land line).
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Unlimited Opportunities for
Consulting with Robert
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Robert is available for consultations at any time at no charge on any border issues: robert@bairdartists.com, 416-887-2151 (Cell), 1-800-867-3281 (Toll-free North America), 705-424-6507 (Land line). |
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Your Monthly Chuckle
A little boy runs across a farmer who has a truckload of cow manure. The boy asks him what he is going to do with all that cow poop. The farmer tells the little boy, "I'm taking it home to put on my strawberries." The little boy looks up at the farmer and says, "I don't know about you, but where I come from we put cream and sugar on our strawberries."
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I used to be an amateur crastinator, but then I turned pro.
Visiting his parents' retirement village in Florida, my middle-aged friend, Tim, went for a swim in the community pool while his elderly father took a walk. Tim struck up a conversation with the only other person in the pool, a five-year-old boy. After a while, Tim's father returned from his walk and called out, "I'm ready to leave." Tim then turned to his new friend and announced that he had to leave because his father was calling. Astonished, the wide-eyed little boy cried, "You're a kid too?"
Q. What do you call two straight days of rain in Seattle?
A. The weekend.
Don't knock the weather. If it didn't change once in a while, nine tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation.
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BAM! Baird Artists Management
Consulting Services Offered
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"I am happy to point people in the right direction, whatever the problem, and my advice is complimentary. You can call or email me and I will answer your questions. Obviously, if you then want me to work on your behalf, I will quote a fee for my services, but don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns."
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The information contained in this newsletter is provided by BAM! Baird Artists Management Inc. as a service/promotion to its subscribers. The purpose of the BAM! Bulletin is to provide general advice and guidance. The information provided herein is not intended to address the specific circumstances of any individual or entity. In specific circumstances, the services of a professional should be sought. BAM! Baird Artists Management cannot be held responsible for the content of this newsletter, nor can it be responsible for the consequences of the actions taken based on the information provided in this newsletter.
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