Attending and speaking at a cultural event

[pasalathelio 0]

Hi, I'm a music composer planning to visit the US for about a month. I timed my visit to be able to attend a few orchestra concerts where my music will be played, and spend time with friends the rest of my trip.

 

I am not obligated to be present at the concerts at all, but since I will be there, the orchestras have invited me to a pre-concert talk (speaking and answering questions in front of the audience). I have no ongoing professional relationships with the orchestras and I will not be paid during my visit, though I did make transactions with them for them to have the rights to perform my work (obviously these took place with me outside of the US).

 

Do you think I would be able to do all of the above without issue on a B1/B2 visa? I do not see an issue with simply watching the concerts, but I am slightly worried the speaking (which I have not yet accepted) may be interpreted as work. Though I understand this could fall under a business visit. Previously I did work legally in the US as a musician, though I left more than 2 years ago.

Edited December 3, 2022 by pasalathelio

[Mike E 11,739]

49 minutes ago, pasalathelio said:

but I am slightly worried the speaking (which I have not yet accepted) may be interpreted as work

This is an acceptable use

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/BusinessVisa Purpose Listings March 2014 flier.pdf

 

“Lecturer or speaker”
 

“No salary or income from a U.S. based company/entity, other than expenses incidental to the visit. If honorarium will be received, activities can last no longer than nine days at any single institution or organization; payment must be offered by an institution or organization described in INA 212(g); honorarium is for services conducted for the benefit of the institution or entity; and visa applicant will not have accepted such payment or expenses from more than five institutions or organizations over the last six months.”

 

Also https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/BusinessVisa.pdf

[JeanneAdil 6,494]

you do not mention the country so go to following site for tourist wait times for an interview

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html

[pasalathelio 0]

2 hours ago, Mike E said:

This is an acceptable use

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/BusinessVisa Purpose Listings March 2014 flier.pdf

 

“Lecturer or speaker”
 

“No salary or income from a U.S. based company/entity, other than expenses incidental to the visit. If honorarium will be received, activities can last no longer than nine days at any single institution or organization; payment must be offered by an institution or organization described in INA 212(g); honorarium is for services conducted for the benefit of the institution or entity; and visa applicant will not have accepted such payment or expenses from more than five institutions or organizations over the last six months.”

 

Also https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/BusinessVisa.pdf

Thank you, this is all very helpful.
 

 

10 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

you do not mention the country so go to following site for tourist wait times for an interview

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wait-times.html

I already have a visa, a 10-year B1/B2 that I have only used once to attend a grad school interview.

Obviously I would be re-entering the US on the same visa with a different purpose from the initial application, but I trust this won't be an issue since it still falls under tourism or business?

[SalishSea 17,819]

2 hours ago, pasalathelio said:

Thank you, this is all very helpful.
 

 

I already have a visa, a 10-year B1/B2 that I have only used once to attend a grad school interview.

Obviously I would be re-entering the US on the same visa with a different purpose from the initial application, but I trust this won't be an issue since it still falls under tourism or business?

Correct, your valid visa can be used for the reasons stated, even though it was originally applied for for a different purpose.