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STUDIO
coaching immigrant artists along their visa journeyS
Hi! My name is Francisco Mendoza,
and I'm an Argentinian writer living in the United States since 2015.
My journey here has been one of tremendous artistic fulfillment, getting the chance to see my work developed and performed at institutions like New York Theater Workshop, The New Group, Rattlestick Theater, and The Civilians—and that's just in New York! I've been all over the country, from a retreat in MacDowell (New Hampshire) to presentations at Two River Theater (New Jersey), Northern Stage (Vermont), Teatro Vivo (Texas), and San Diego Rep (California). I've been the proud recipient of an NEA Grant, a Princess Grace Award, and three Elliot Norton nominations. And I've had the opportunity to publish my writing in American Theatre Magazine, The Brooklyn Rail, and The Dramatists Quarterly, as well as have my work written about in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and Playbill.
But alongside my success, I've also had a lot of anxiety: I came to the United States on an F-1 student viss; since then, I've navigated the process of transitioning to post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), two O-1 visas, and finally an EB-1 green card. This process was expensive, confusing, and scary. I've been lucky enough to have wonderful attorneys by my side, but I've had to do so much of it myself—building up the knowledge base and the stamina to understand how to follow their instructions without letting the process overtake my artistic practice, monopolize my time, or jeopardize my networking efforts.
Through it all, I became passionate about helping other immigrant artists along their journeys, co-founding the Immigrant Theatermakers Advocates initiative. Now, with this Studio, I'm going a step further by providing direct help to those applying for visas. My first-hand experience, as well as the opportunity to serve as a judge on panels such as the New York State Council on the Arts Grants or the International Theatermakers Award, has given me an eye for what makes a winning application.
You don't have to go at this alone—let's work together in charting your own extraordinary path!
SERVICES
OFFICE HOURS
WHEN Monthly on select Thursdays | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM ET
WHERE Virtual (Google Meet)
COST Free (Registration Required)
WHO IS THIS FOR? Current students on OPT, freelance artists navigating their first O-1, or established professionals eyeing the EB-1—this is your space to gain clarity and community.
Navigating the U.S. visa system as an artist can feel like a solo trek through a bureaucratic wilderness. But you don't have to map the route alone! Join me for Office Hours, a free, monthly 90-minute online gathering in which you’ll learn about my journey—from F-1 student visa to O-1 “Extraordinary Abilities” temporary visa and then EB-1 “Extraordinary Abilities” permanent visa (green card)—and ask questions!
GROUP WORKING SESSIONS
WHEN Select Thursdays | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
WHERE Virtual (Google Meet)
COST $50 per session
WHO IS THIS FOR? Any artist currently in the "Evidence Collection" phase of an O-1 or EB-1 application who is struggling to stay organized or motivated—and could use support, accountability, and fellowship!
It can feel like the hardest part of any visa application is the endless admin grind: creating, collecting, and saving countless documents for your evidence inventory. If you’re struggling with procrastinating on it, join me for a Group Working Session, a service designed to give you the structure, focus, and peer support needed to move your application forward. Think of these three-hour, virtual co-working blocks as a group homework time—and me as the teacher’s assistant, available to provide gut-checks and strategy while you work!
1-ON-1 COACHING
WHEN By Appointment
WHERE Virtual (Google Meet)
COST Varies per tier (self-selected) and mode (by the hour vs. package)
WHO IS THIS FOR? The artist who’s overwhelmed by the complexity of the process or the "homework" assigned by their attorney. If you struggle with the amount of information thrown at you or the logistics of evidence-gathering, I’m here to help!
Navigating a U.S. artist visa application is often a confusing vortex of endless tasks—and it can often feel like nobody has time to sit down and walk you through it, let alone get it all organized. With 1-on-1 Coaching, you get my dedicated time and attention as we tackle whatever is on your list—be it finding a lawyer and preparing for that first consultation, putting together a list of recommenders, or even doing a full audit of your case before submitting. In these sessions, I will share the skills that got me all the way from student visa to green card, putting you in the driver’s seat of your own extraordinary path!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are you a lawyer?
No. I am an Artist Visa Coach. I work alongside you—and your attorney, if you work with one—to help you prepare, gather evidence for, and audit your portfolio for O-1 or EB-1 arts visa petitions. I do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or legal strategy. I successfully navigated the path from student visa to green card, and I share my own experience and learnings to help you get through what is often a disorienting, overwhelming process.
I have a lawyer already. Why should I work with you?
Think of your lawyer as a teacher, and me as a tutor: attorneys don’t have time for one-on-one work, they tell you what you need to do and send you off with “homework” (like putting together a list of recommenders, securing press, or finding collaborators or institutions that can commit to working with you). I will help you get that homework done—because I’ve done it myself many times over! I can advise you on how to preserve your industry relationships as you ask for these “favors,” how to pitch yourself to publicists to help you get press (or get it yourself if need be), or how to make the evidence-gathering process as painless as possible.
At what point in my visa journey should I work with you?
I can help out at any stage, though the earlier we begin, the less work you’ll end up doing. If we start…
Before/during your OPT: We can work on making the most out of that time and start to put together a portfolio you can take to lawyers for the O-1/EB-1.
During an O-1/EB-1 Petition: I can help you stop procrastinating and/or get some clarity on all the to-dos that can quickly pile up as you prepare your petition.
After getting a Request for Further Evidence (RFE): I can help you put together an action plan to answer USCIS’ objections and tackle each item in it.
How much do you charge?
I want to meet my clients where they’re at, so there’s an option for every budget: Office Hours are free for all, Group Working Sessions are $50 for everyone, and 1-on-1 Consultations are priced on a self-selected tier system:
Tier 1 (Stable Income): $200/hr ($175/hr for packages)
For established professionals with stable income, employer-subsidized coaching, or those with access to family/generational wealth.Tier 2 (Fluctuating Income): $150/hr ($125/hr for packages)
The standard rate for working freelance artists with fluctuating project-based income who are able to cover their basic needs.Tier 3 (Limited Income): $100/hr ($75/hr for packages)
Reserved for students on OPT without access to family wealth, or those experiencing economic hardship.
For those looking for end-to-end support, 3, 6, and 12-hour packages are available at a discounted hourly rate to cover everything from initial foundations to final brief reviews. Whether you are an emerging artist or an established professional, there is a rate designed to fit your situation!
PLEASE NOTE: These prices reflect direct payment (PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle). Credit Card payments will incur a fee.
What are your booking, rescheduling, and canceling policies?
You can check out all policies here.
What are your community policies for Office Hours/Group Sessions?
You can check out all policies here.
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