Applying for an American Artist Visa | Beware of Scam-Like Immigration Lawyers
Applying for an American Artist Visa | Beware of Scam-Like Immigration Lawyers
This time, I’m sharing new information about artist visa applications. In New York, I sometimes hear stories about immigration lawyers who behave almost like scammers, so I hope this helps you avoid trouble.
Don’t find them online- but from your friends or someone you know
Currently, I am assisting with an SOS case related to an artist visa application. A young Asian woman in her early 20s, who applied for her O-1 artist visa in New York City, ended up hiring a lawyer who turned out to be scam-like. She is now in danger of having her visa denied. I’ve stepped in to support her application in place of that unethical lawyer. We will respond to the RFE (Request for Evidence) by mid-January, and I will share the results later. Based on this experience, I will explain what happened and the key points to watch out for when choosing an immigration lawyer.
What Happened?
The person who contacted me is an Asian pianist who graduated from a well-known university in New York. She applied for her O-1 visa through a famous lawyer. The law firm has a polished, professional website that ranks high on SEO searches.
After submitting her application, she received an RFE (Request for Evidence). The letter said:
You have performed as a guest pianist with your home country’s philharmonic orchestra.
However, this alone is not sufficient evidence of extraordinary ability.
Your current employment situation is unclear.
Please submit additional documentation.
After receiving the RFE, the lawyer abruptly told her:
“There is nothing more we can do.”
This is absurd.
If this is your first artist visa application, you are rarely denied unless you have a criminal record or dangerous ideology. Receiving an RFE usually means simply that more evidence is needed to meet the O-1 requirements.
Note: “Dangerous ideologies” in the U.S. means things like communism or terrorism.
Reviewing the Files She Submitted
Based on her SOS email:
- She didn’t know how to respond to the RFE
- She felt something was very wrong with the lawyer
- The lawyer told her that if she applied again, she would “definitely be denied”
A terrible situation.
So I met with her a few days later and asked her to bring all the documents.
Shocking File Contents & Lawyer Fees
The 200 pages she brought were alarming.
The most serious mistake:
She applied for O-1B, but the cover letter said O-1A.
This is an unbelievable error for an immigration lawyer.
The filing itself was sloppy, filled with unnecessary documents. The lawyer had simply printed dozens of pages from her university’s website and submitted them as-is.
Paralegals working at law firms typically prepare these documents, so the work may have been done carelessly. Regardless, it is extremely unprofessional.
And the fee? USD $5,000
(About ¥800,000)
We don’t know the exact contract terms, but she cannot get a refund.
And since lawyers know the law, suing them would be extremely difficult.
When I checked the firm’s Google reviews, there were many positive and negative ratings—about half and half. For negative reviews, the lawyer (presumably the owner) aggressively argued back in the comments. A huge red flag.
It appears this lawyer chooses clients who look like easy targets.
Why I’m Convinced This Was a Scam
This lawyer likely didn’t care whether she could actually get the visa.
As mentioned earlier, first-time O-1 applications are rarely denied. Immigration lawyers also want to avoid denials on their record.
This lawyer may have:
- Accepted any client
- Submitted minimal documents on purpose
- Expected an RFE
- Then abandoned the client, earning money with no responsibility
A predatory pattern.
The Lawyer’s Possible Thought Process
“Submit a handful of university documents, hope it gets approved.
If it gets denied, oh well — sorry.”
The lawyer didn’t send any of her truly important documents to USCIS.
I have the firm’s information, but I cannot reveal it publicly due to legal risks.
Instead, please read the following points carefully.
Tips for Choosing an Immigration Lawyer
The most important section.
What exactly is an immigration lawyer?
This does not apply to all immigration lawyers, but it’s good to know:
A former Ivy League student of a high-level corporate lawyer once told me:
- Immigration law is considered one of the lower-ranked fields among lawyers
- Many lawyers want to work in business law or criminal law, but those fields are highly competitive
- Those who cannot enter those fields often end up in immigration law
(Again, not all immigration lawyers fall into this category.)
As a result, some immigration lawyers come from lower-tier schools with fewer resources and may not have trained properly in legal documentation. This leads to sloppy submissions.
Why You Should NOT Find a Lawyer Online
This pianist found her lawyer through online searches.
The reviews looked mostly positive, and the firm appeared “prestigious,” but she didn’t notice the many negative reviews.
Always choose a lawyer recommended by trusted friends who successfully obtained their visas.
The lawyer I personally recommend is Sindell Law Firm, but note:
- Good lawyers charge consultation fees (~$300)
- Good lawyers will clearly say “No” if your materials aren’t strong enough
You Have the Right to Review the Final Documents
Before USCIS submission, ask:
“Can I review the final application packet before you send it?”
If not, the lawyer may submit incomplete or irrelevant materials—like in this case.
Important Documents Missing From Her File
The file lacked a Written Consultation, which is essential.
She submitted 20 recommendation letters, but unfortunately:
- Recommendation letters alone don’t carry strong weight
- The more famous the recommender, the more USCIS questions your actual ability
- Highlighting others’ fame can backfire
Summary
This article covered the dangers of fraudulent immigration lawyers when applying for an artist visa. Her application results will likely come around March. → Result
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