The American film industry is permeated by talented Canadian actors. The majority of Canadian actors are legally able to work in the United States as a result of having obtained an O-1 Visa. A Canadian actor may obtain an O-1 Visa when the actor is an individual who has demonstrated a record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry.
A frequently asked question by Canadian actors is whether Canadian actors can live and work in both the United States and Canada while on an O-1 Visa.
The answer is yes.
The O-1 Visa will not restrict Canadian actors from working in Canada. In fact, the O-1 Visa permits Canadian actors to enter and exit the United States multiple times during the duration of the O-1 Visa. USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) is well aware that a Canadian actor may need to exit the United States during the tenure of the O-1 Visa so that the actor may work in Canada as well as other parts of the world. Thus, a Canadian actor may temporarily live and work in the United States as well as live and work in Canada while having an O-1 Visa.
However, keep in mind that for the duration of the O-1 Visa, the Canadian actor must work for the employer or agent who served as the petitioner for the Canadian actor while in the United States.
If you are a Canadian actor and are interested in obtaining an O-1 Visa, or if you are a Canadian actor and currently have an O-1 Visa and would like to renew your O-1 Visa, please give our office a call at (562) 464-6934. The Law Offices of Michael M. Felix specializes in obtaining O-1 Visas for numerous international actors' including Canadian actors. Call our office today for a free consultation.