Artistic Exchanges About to Get Easier
It's common knowledge that the visa-obtaining process allowing foreign citizens to enter the United States is arduous and time-consuming. Especially in the artistic world where performances are often hinging upon the presence of a foreign artist crucial to the show. Whether it be an actor, director, musician, or a variety of other artists, artistic and cultural events have been cancelled or postponed in the past due to artists' inability to acquire a visa in time to enter the United States for the event. This unfortunate reality has hopefully changed for good.
According to the Performing Arts Alliance, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has reduced the processing time of petitions to two weeks for those who have obtained an artist or athlete visa. In the past, visas would need to be expedited in order to ensure that the guest would arrive in time. These expedited visas would carry a heavy price tag and small theatre or event organizations would have to cover the expenses, making a large dent in their expenditures. This new development is a significant step in breaking down barriers between cultures and access to another cultures artistic works.
A major avenue in bringing citizens together is through cultural and artistic interactions and events. With the visa obtaining process being a little bit less time consuming for artists coming to the United States, there is sure to be an increase in cultural exchange opportunities here in the United States.
Posted Thursday, August 5, 2010