How can an aspiring Canadian actor live and (attempt) to work legally in the U.S.?
Question by Caitie: How can an aspiring Canadian actor live and (attempt) to work legally in the U.S.?
I’m a Canadian who is interested in moving to the U.S. temporarily to pursue an acting career (don’t laugh). Anyways, I’m very unclear on whether or not it is possible to get a visa that would allow me to do this? Obviously I would need to work while I was there (as a waitress or some equivalent etc – cliche – I know). I’m sure I don’t qualify for something like an H1B but is there any kind of visa that would allow me to kind of do my own thing for a year? For example, I know that Canada and the U.S. have agreements with countries like New Zealand and Australia that allow people between particular ages to apply for a working holiday visas that basically give them one year to travel and work as they choose. Is there any equivalent between Canada and the U.S. Or is there any other feasible way?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks 
Best answer:
Answer by ibu guru
No visa will allow you to enter the US and work as a food server or whatever while you pursue an acting career. If you were an established actress and were hired for a Broadway play, the company could get a special visa for artists and performers. Since you aren’t, you are in trouble.
If you were accepted at a drama school (UCLA, USC, Yale or Princeton), you could get a foreign student visa, but are forbidden to work. You would have to prove you have sufficient funds for all school & living expenses for the 4 years. There are no US visas like “working holiday” or “do your own thing”! There is nothing you qualify for in the US at present.
Go to Plan B. Toronto has some good theater and movie industry, so make your mark there. If they get booked for a US tour, then you can come here on tour with the company (they will get everyone visas), get noticed by US agents, etc., and if offered a part, they’ll get your visa.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
I’m an American, member of the Screen Actors Guild, who would like to work in Canada. It’s funny but the film industry hires more foreigners then Americans. You probably already know that most of our film stars are Canadian. Here’s an example; Bob Saget, host of ‘America’s Funniest Home Videos’, Dan Akroyd, William Shatner, Donald Sutherland etc. Just get a decent agent like CAA or William Morris and they’ll do the rest. What can I do as an American if I want to work in Canada as an Actor? If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.