33: Michael Cataliotti: Sports & Entertainment Immigration

US Immigration Podcast

Michael Cataliotti is a transactional attorney practicing primarily in the areas of business immigration, entertainment transactions, and corporate governance for U.S. start-ups or expansions. Michael advises clients from such industries as food & beverage, music, fashion, film, television, technology, and digital media, as well as countries across the globe. He represents musicians, artists, photographers, authors, directors, producers, screenwriters, and celebrity talent in a wide-array of immigration matters, and both corporate and entertainment transactions involving start-up and established companies related to their respective industries.

In this episode you will hear:

• A more specific detail about Sports and Entertainment Immigration.
• What makes Entertainment Immigration unique as it concerns a very specific handful of visa options.
• Sample story that didn't work out when the Applicant submitted a fabricated video performance as evidence.
• Effects of fabricating materials or falsifying evidence:
• Will be under close introspection every time he/she applies thereafter.
• No longer applicable to apply for Business Visa
• Different visa options for Artists, Entertainers, Athletes and Performers
• H1B - Temporary workers and trainees
• O - Temporary Workers of Extraordinary ability
• P - Athletes and Entertainers
• Nuances such as itineraries and petitioning entity
• Benefits and Ideal Persons for O Visa:
• Also known as Elite Visa for Artists or Individuals with extra ordinary abilities
• Anyone who gained a strong reputation, recognition or acclaimed from outside sources such as Journalists, Dentists
• Dancers, Choreographers who have worked with number of different sources, have gained a strong reputation in their home country or anywhere.
• The beneficiary is not seeking a permanent residency or Green Card
• Not necessary to have plenty of money to apply.
• With 3-5 pieces of independently published recognition
• Maximum of 3 years duration of stay.
• Not ideal for Young upstart Musician or Music Producer who is behind the scene.
• Benefits and Ideal Persons for P Visa
• Athletes, Entertainers or Individuals with significant international recognition in their industry.
• Does not require much evidence to apply.
• More or less 1 year duration of stay.
• Athletes are allowed to stay longer than Artists.
• Signed to a reputable company and with tour schedule.

Michael's parting thoughts:

For any beneficiaries,

• Even if the trip is cheaper or easier and more convenient, it is NOT ideal to go to Canada or Mexico to have an interview due to a number of boarder crossing issues, unless you're a Canadian national or Mexican.
• It is significantly easier and recommended to go elsewhere like Europe, East Asia, Middle East, South America, Costa Rica or England to have an interview.

"Never give up hope. Always realize that there are options available in every scenario, it might not be the most ideal but there are solutions to every problem and we're here to figure them out with you."

Michael specializes in:

• Sports and Entertainment Immigration working with International Athletes as well as Entertainers, Artists and Performers.
• Providing the best visa solution to visa problem for Sports and Entertainment Industries.
• Act as cheerleaders to Clients. Keeping in touch with Public Relations Companies or Marketers or TV Agents.
• Collaborating with other Immigration Attorneys.

For a limited time, Michael is offering a free, 30 minute initial consultation for anyone seeking his firm's immigration services. To take advantage of this offer, please contact him via our show notes page.

http://usimmigrationpodcast.com/33