Actors/Performers
On-Camera Principal Actors
Background Actors/Extras
Voiceover Actors
Stunt Performers
Performance Capture

Recording Artists/Singers

Dancers

Broadcasters

How to Join

Membership Rules

Fee-Paying Non-Members:
Financial Core (Fi-Core)

HOW TO JOIN SAG-AFTRA

2 ways to gain “eligibility”:

1. Receive 3 union background vouchers (a union contract pay stub), OR

2. Work 1 union principal contract (acting, stunts, voiceover, etc.).

TAFT-HARLETY
The Taft-Hartley Act requires union productions to report the hiring of non-members to the union. Upon gaining union eligibility, a performer has 30 days to work union or non-union before becoming a “must join,” after which union productions are penalized for hiring them if they have not joined.

Other ways to join without “eligibility”:

1. Work 1 principal role or 3 BG on a 2017/2020 New Media project or SPA, or 3 principal roles in UPA, ULB, or Student Films.

2. The National Board deems you to be engaged in work that advances the general goals of SAG-AFTRA.

3. The Executive Committee approves a non-citizen application based on non-union work in their country of citizenship.

4. As a member of certain sister unions - specifics vary depending on their reciprocity agreement with SAG-AFTRA.

Initiation Fees & Dues - costs to join

As checked on October 26, 2026, SAG-AFTRA lists a national initiation fee of $3,121, which may be lower in some states. Joining also requires payment of the applicable first semiannual dues. Annual base dues are $246.14, plus work dues of 1.575% of covered earnings from the previous calendar year, up to $1,000,000. Broadcast fees and dues may differ; contact your Local or the National Broadcast Department for the amounts that apply to you. Check SAG-AFTRA’s Membership Costs page before joining or paying.