*The U.S. immigration information below is for informational purposes only, it is not legal advice and is not intended to replace the advice of a licensed attorney. SXSW cannot provide you with specific legal advice. Only you and your legal counsel can decide how best to enter the U.S. based on your particular circumstances; SXSW is not financially or legally responsible for your decision.
This question does not have a one-size-fits-all answer and will depend on the facts specific to each individual’s situation, including but not limited to, what activities you will be undertaking while in the U.S. and your Visa Waiver Program/ESTA eligibility.
If you will ONLY be performing at Official SXSW Showcases while in the U.S.:
If an artist’s only activity in the U.S. will be to participate in official SXSW showcases, the U.S. Government has previously recommended that artists apply for a B visa. Furthermore, if an artist is eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program (“VWP”) and the artist is only performing at official SXSW showcases, an ESTA (“Electronic System for Travel Authorization”) under the VWP may also be sufficient.
In the past, international SXSW showcasing artists have found that when choosing between a B-1 visa and ESTA, they pursued a B-1 visa because it had the potential to help the artist avoid logistical problems associated with ESTA. However, given ongoing issues at many U.S. embassies and consulates around the world, obtaining a B-1 visa may not be possible in time for SXSW, in which case artists found it more timely to travel to SXSW on ESTA (we note that these artists carried their official SXSW invitation when traveling, and ONLY performed at official SXSW showcases). Conversely, in prior years, CBP has revoked ESTA registrations in the past, sometimes just before or even during an international flight.
Since there are risks associated with either approach, it is important that you obtain independent legal advice and visa-related statuses through the resources referenced here or elsewhere to determine which approach is best suited for your individual circumstances.
If you are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, you will likely need to obtain a U.S. visa to enter the country.
· For more information about visas and the Visa Waiver Program, please visit the Visa Waiver Program page at the U.S. Department of State.
If you will be doing other performances in the U.S. in addition to the official SXSW showcases:
If you plan to perform at another event in the U.S. in addition to your official SXSW showcases, obtaining an O or a P employment visa may be necessary. Obtaining an O or a P visa can be a complicated and timely process. We strongly recommend seeking advice from a licensed attorney when pursuing or contemplating this type of visa.
· See the U.S. Department of State website for more information about temporary work visas.
Remember, consular officers have complete authority to grant or deny visas, and CBP officers have that same authority to grant or deny entry into the U.S. Please check the International Travel Tips FAQ section for ways previous SXSW showcasing artists have minimized entry issues.
Ultimately, to determine whether you need a visa and, if so, which visa is best for you and/or your band, SXSW strongly advises consulting legal counsel.
If you need professional help applying for one of these visas, a list of attorneys and agencies is provided in the Additional Resources section of this FAQ.
Tamizdat is a non-profit organization that facilitates and advocates for international cultural mobility and exchange. Tamizdat has been a great resource for showcasing SXSW artists travelling from abroad.
Tamizdat also provides specific guidance to SXSW showcasing artists traveling internationally for the event here.
Official SXSW Music Festival Showcases and Artists will be listed on http://www.sxsw.com. If you are unsure whether an event is official or not, contact SXSW at musicfest@sxsw.com. Be sure to confirm that your name is on the official SXSW Showcase list well before you travel!