Embassy of the United States Beirut, Lebanon

• I'm a performing athlete/artist/entertainer who is performing in the U.S.; what type of visa do I require?
• I'm an international cultural exchange visitor; what type of visa do I require?
• We are musicians who are recording in the United States. What type of visa do we require?
• We are a choir who has been invited to perform in the United States; what type of visa do we require?

I'm a performing athlete/artist/entertainer who is performing in the U.S.; what type of visa do I require?

You will most likely require a petition-based visa, even if you are not being paid for your U.S. performance; please see http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1271.html for additional information.

I'm an international cultural exchange visitor; what type of visa do I require?

You require a petition-based visa (http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html#16)

We are musicians who are recording in the United States; what type of visas do we require?

A B-1 visa, or visa free travel is appropriate if you will utilize recording facilities for recording purposes only; if the recording will be distributed and sold only outside the United States; and, if there will be no public performances while you are in the U.S. doing the studio recording.

We are a choir who has been invited to perform in the United States; what type of visa do we require?

If you are all amateurs and you will be performing in a social and/or charitable context, you will require B-2 visa.  Please note: An amateur is someone who normally performs without remuneration (other than an allotment for expenses). A performer who is normally compensated for performing cannot qualify for a B-2 visa even if they do not make a living at performing.  Consular officers may ask applicants to provide proof of their status at the time of the visa interview.