Very Off Topic - Immigration Issues

krizrox · Post by **krizrox** » Mon Apr 29, 2002 3:12 pm

I realize this is off topic but given the international flavor of this forum, I thought I'd ask for feedback.

I have a potential client coming in from Africa who is asking me for assistance with immigration related issues (letter of invitation, insurance, immigration help, etc.).

Is this normal? Do any of you ever get involved in such things during the course of business? Does a client need a work permit to record here in the US (or any foreign country for that matter)?

wayne · Post by **wayne** » Mon Apr 29, 2002 4:51 pm

Krizrox - I have a friend (Australian) who was turned back at Honolulu because he had a double bass with him!

I think he foolishly said to customs/immigration that he was going to do a couple of gigs with some mates in New York - go straight home, sonny!
.....on second thoughts it could have been his accent or his breath or something.....
anyway - it's a dodgy business, might depend on the mood at the airport on the day

btw, he had no permit

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: wayne on 2002-04-29 17:53 ]</font>

Tony B · Post by **Tony B** » Mon Apr 29, 2002 5:13 pm

Is he from NIGERIA?

Post by **garyb** » Mon Apr 29, 2002 7:34 pm

sounds about right.those guys at the border aren't always logical or helpful.the us gov't is not friendly with everyone either.

Post by **Neil B** » Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:06 am

Hasn't happened personally but my best friend had this situation with someone from Italy who wanted to come in for a special convention and was asking if the tickets could be booked for him, sent to him with a letter of invitation etc. It was "rumbled" quite quickly.
Without finding all the details for you the bottom line is "steer lear of this".
Make an arranged appointment for your client to visit and meet with you and your next point of contact is when they knock on the door - do nothing for them. There are loopholes that allow people to stay in countries if they have had formal invites etc.

krizrox · Post by **krizrox** » Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:25 am

Thanks everyone. Neil - I agree with you on this matter. I was a bit nervous about getting involved in this matter but I wasn't sure if this was standard practice at larger recording studios. Anyway, thanks for responding. I'm not even sure how this individual found out about my studio.

I should look at a map but is there a country in Africa called Ghana? I think that's where this band is from.

jupiter8 · Post by **jupiter8** » Tue Apr 30, 2002 4:18 am

Yes, there is a land called Ghana in Africa.
It is on the west coast.
It is a quite corrupt country so i'd be careful with formal invitations and such.
At least be sure to check it out thoroughly.

Tony B · Post by **Tony B** » Tue Apr 30, 2002 5:11 am

BE CAREFUL. Once in trouble to get OUT.

Spirit · Post by **Spirit** » Tue Apr 30, 2002 5:30 am

A BBC story which sounds a little bit similar to your situation:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/nor ... 888563.stm

A bit of info:
http://travel.state.gov/ghana.html

"Ghana is a base for commercial fraud schemes" says this canadian government site:
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/destinations/re ... ntry=Ghana

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Spirit on 2002-04-30 07:05 ]</font>

wayne · Post by **wayne** » Tue Apr 30, 2002 6:58 am

wonderful music happens in Ghana....

krizrox · Post by **krizrox** » Tue Apr 30, 2002 7:09 am

Hey thanks all! I've already responded back to this individual with a decline. Better to be safe than sorry.

Post by **garyb** » Tue Apr 30, 2002 1:51 pm

over an invite?(a letter saying you're going to do specific biz?)that doesn't seem a prob...any more than that seems extreme.......(i'm sure others have more experience tho-take their advice)

krizrox · Post by **krizrox** » Wed May 01, 2002 3:49 am

Well, this person wanted more than just an invite. They wanted help with all kinds of things (including health insurance). It was very strange to say the least.

Air_PoLLo · Post by **Air_PoLLo** » Wed May 01, 2002 7:36 am

We have had band from africa twice.
The paper work is simple and painless.

We have never had any troubles with that.
Good luck!

Post by **garyb** » Wed May 01, 2002 9:11 am

yeah,more than an invite sounds crazy......