U.S. Consulate General Chennai

Temporary Visitors

Other

The remaining types of travel are listed below with their appropriate visa category. Follow the link to a complete description of visa requirements.

Diplomatic and Official Visitors (A and G Visas)

Diplomatic/Official ("A") visas are used by any Indian central government employee entering the U. S. on official business for the central government of India, who travels on any type of passport. "A" visas are unavailable to employees of quasi-governmental bodies and provincial or local governments even if on official travel. Employees of the Indian central government, military or civilian, may qualify for "A-2 temporary duty (TDY)" visas if going to the U.S. for short periods of temporary official duty. TDY activities include training with the U.S. armed forces, temporary work at the Indian Embassy or an Indian Consulate, direct talks with the U.S. government or attendance at meetings on the orders of the Indian central government. "A-2 TDY" visas are exempt form the application fee.

Persons in transit (C Visas)

If you’re only stopping over in the United States en route to another country, this is the visa category for you. But if you’re planning to stay over in the U.S., you need a B2 visa.

Members of the Media (I Visas)

Members of the press may travel on I visas.

Persons of Extraordinary Ability (O Visas)

This visa is for a person who has an extraordinary ability, for example, an athlete or scientist, and wants to go to the U.S. temporarily to continue work in their area of extraordinary ability. The O visa can be applied to two types of persons:

• An individual who has extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics that has been demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim; and who is going temporarily to the U.S. to continue work in their area of extraordinary ability
• An individual who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in motion picture and television productions; and who is going temporarily to the U.S. to continue work in their area of extraordinary achievement

What must you establish as an O Visa applicant?

• You have filed, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has approved, a petition (Form I-129) that requests O status for you, as demonstrated by presentation of the Form I-129 and Form I-797
• You have a residence abroad that you do not intend to abandon. Applicable to O-2 applicants and their O-3 family members only

Spouse & Children

The spouse or children of a person with extraordinary ability or their assistant are also entitled to accompany or join the holder of an O-1 or O-2 Visa. They can apply for an O-3 Visa. A spouse or child with an O-3 Visa cannot seek employment in the U.S.

If you want your spouse/child to travel to the U.S. with you, apply for your visas at the same time. Book your visa interview appointments for the same day and attend your visa interview together.

Artists and Entertainers in a culturally unique program (P Visas)

We receive many inquiries regarding the visa requirements for entertainers who wish to make public appearances in the United States for the purpose of cultural exchange, charity, or for participation in festivals, talent shows and the like. What follows is information to assist in the important planning process necessary to bring an entertainer to the U.S. to perform.

Many people believe that visits for such purposes can be made using a tourist/business visa (B1/B2), especially if the entertainers are not being paid. In fact, the law is complicated, and in many cases, does not allow persons to perform on a B1/B2 visa. If you or your organization is sponsoring an event, early planning is extremely important, particularly if a visa other than a B1/B2 is required.

Professional or Amateur?

Most significant in determining the proper visa for an entertainer seeking to perform in the U.S. is whether or not the person is an amateur or a professional (for the purposes of visa adjudication, an "entertainer" is defined to include not only performing artists such as stage and movie actors, musicians, singers and dancers, but also other personnel such as technicians, electricians, make-up specialists, film crew members and the like).

The decision on whether a given entertainer is a professional or amateur can be made only at the time of application. We look at a number of factors in making a decision, including sources of income, quality of work, experience and renown.

Amateurs

A person who is an amateur in an entertainment or athletic activity, is by definition, not a member of any of the professions associated with that activity. Thus, an amateur (or group of amateurs) who will not be paid for performances and will perform in a social and/or charitable context, or as a competitor in a talent show, contest, or athletic event, is eligible for B-2 classification.

Amateur entertainers are not automatically exempt from the laws requiring specialized performance visas. Documentation about the U.S. performance or event in the form of a brochure and/or promotional material should be submitted with the applications of amateur entertainers.

Professionals

Professional entertainers can use a B1/B2 visa to perform in the U.S. only when all three of the following conditions are met:

• The professional is coming to the United States to participate in a cultural program sponsored by the sending country, and
• The professional will be performing before a nonpaying audience, and
• The professional's government will pay all expenses, including per diem.

The law does not grant us any discretion in instances where all three conditions are not met by a professional entertainer. These tests apply to any professional entertainer, regardless of whether the performance in the U.S. is for charity, cultural exchange or simply a for-profit event. If a professional entertainer does not satisfy the three conditions listed above, then s/he must be the beneficiary of a petition to be filed in the U.S., in order to qualify for a work or performing visa.

How do I file for a petition?

If a work or other performing visa is required for a professional entertainer, the sponsor in the United States must file a petition at the office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) having jurisdiction over the place where the event will be held. Such petitions cannot be filed by the party in India, and cannot be filed with the Embassy/Consulate.

The USCIS can provide guidance as to the proper type of visa required, as well as the details of how to file the petition. Petition processing times by the USCIS can vary; please check directly with the appropriate USCIS office. Once we have received an approved petition, or notice of the approval from the USCIS, and assuming the applicants are otherwise qualified, the Embassy can issue the appropriate visas within only a few working days. We cannot issue the visas without the approved petition or proper notice of the approval from USCIS.

The documents you require to provide at the time of application for a Performance Visa:

First, you need all the documents required for a non-immigrant visa.

Plus

You will also need to submit:

• The entertainment petition approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• Evidence in the form of newspaper articles and photographs of earlier performance outside India.