(Applications are available at the Local 279 office) 1) You may apply for a 'P2' Work permit for up to and including 365 days PROVIDING you have a CONFIRMED engagement for EVERY 30 days applied for. 2) P2 Work Visa permits are now taking an average of 100 to 120 days due to post 9/11 background checks. With regards to "showcase" letters, AFM members must now apply for a P2 permit when seeking to do a showcase gig in the USA. Finally, it is important that members applying for a P2 permit realize that this permit is not an OPEN permit. Should a member apply for a year long permit and wish to add extra gigs, USCIS (U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services) must be informed of these extra days with the new fee. The revised itinerary and contracts are then updated in their system. 3) Ensure that you have completed an application for each and every musician and/or technician that is entering the U.S.A. Ensure that you have designated a Port of Entry...it is very difficult to change your Port of Entry once sent to USCIS... for further clarification, please call the Canadian Head Office. 4) Ensure that the musicians you are applying for are all AFM MEMBERS. 5) Ensure that the AFM's Policy of Indemnity (back of application) is signed (for groups of 2 or more, only one Policy has to be signed on behalf of the group) 6) Please ensure your union dues are paid up to and including the dates you are applying for...copies of your union cards should be included when applying. 7) CONTRACTS OR ITINERARIES.. .As stated in Section 1, you must have a contracted engagement for every 30 days in the USA. USCIS will accept an itinerary (without contracts) providing it specifies DATE OF ENGAGEMENT, EXACT PLACE OF ENGAGEMENT AND COMPENSATION.. .attach as many signed contracts to the itinerary as possible. Contracts and itinerary MUST be specific... USCIS will not accept an itinerary based on tentative engagements, nor will they accept 'general' employment letters. 8) FEES...$185.00 U.S. Dollars made payable to "U.S.C.I.S." (The short form of the U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services is ok to use) - MUST be a U.S. Dollar Money Order. Cash is NOT acceptable, and personal cheques drawn from a U.S. dollar account are no longer accepted. This fee is per petition (flat fee regardless of number of musicians).. .should you be including technicians, there is an additional charge of $185.00 U.S. for a total of $370.00 U.S. $20.00 Canadian made payable to the AFM, Canadian Head Office for processing fees - if you are allowing the required time of 90 days. additional $1000.00 U.S. for Premium Processing (e.g. total $1185 U.S. funds). This will get a response within 15 calendar days of receipt by USCIS. Please note: Should you require an expedite for musicians and technicians, please be advised that there is an additional fee of $1000.00 U.S. for U.S. immigration. The total fee would be $370 U.S. for the petitions, and $2000 U.S. for premium processing. Please ensure separate money orders are provided. 9) If you are bringing merchandise into the U.S.A.. .please call Corina Robidoux at AFM's Canadian Head Office for further information. 10) Once you have filled out the required documentation, please send to: American Federation of Musicians 75 The Donway West, Suite 1010 Don Mills, Ontario M3C 2E9 ATTENTION: CORINA ROBIDOUX 11) Once your application is received in this office, it will be sent to USCIS, Vermont Service Centre.. .within 3 to 4 weeks this office will be issued an original 'NOTICE of ACTION'... your approval notice. This is the documentation that you bring to your designated PORT OF ENTRY... from this approval notice, US Immigration will issue you an I-94 Departure Record for your duration of stay... PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU ARE ISSUED THIS CARD... US Immigration has the right to charge an additional $7.00 U.S. PER PERSON (EXACT CASH -- they do not carry change) for the issuance of this card. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, OR YOU ARE UNSURE OF ANY OF THESE PROCEDURES, PLEASE CALL CORINA ROBIDOUX @ (416) 391-5161 OR 1-800-463-6333 BEFORE SUBMITTING A REQUEST. FOR REQUESTS INVOLVING AN 'EXTENSION' PLEASE CALL FOR INFORMATION Note: This information was last updated on September 23, 2004. The London Musicians' Association makes every effort to provide accurate information on this website; however, for the most up-to-date information, please contact the LMA office.