Law Office of Miguel Serrano
Are you an athlete, A musician, an actor
with a competition or performance in the United States?
our immigration attorneys can tell you all about P-Visas
P-1A: Athlete Visa
The P-1A visa is reserved for athletes, groups, teams, or coaches entering the United States to participate in a competition.
A nonimmigrant visa grants you a temporary stay in the United States. You must leave the United States when your visa expires unless you have applied for Legal Permanent Residency.
P-1B Visa: Member of an Internationally Recognized Entertainment Group
The P-1B visa is for those coming to the U.S. to perform as a member of an entertainment group. The entertainment group must have been established for at least one year. And it must be well-known throughout the world as "outstanding in the discipline for a sustained and substantial period of time."
P-2 Visa: Individual Performer or Part of a Group Entering to Perform Under a Reciprocal Exchange Program
The P-2 visa for an individual performer or part of a group coming to the U.S. to perform temporarily. You would be in the U.S. as an artist or entertainer performing via a reciprocal exchange program between a U.S. organization and one from another country.
P-3 Artist or Entertainer Coming to Be Part of a Culturally Unique Program
The P-3 visa is granted for culturally unique performances. This visa is for individuals and those that are part of an ensemble, musical group or theatre, teachers and coaches. The visa is valid for as long as the performance schedule.
What are the qualifications for the P-1A classification?
To qualify for the P-1A temporary nonimmigrant work visa, you must be entering the United States only to perform at a specific athletic competition.
The P-1A visa is reserved for an individual athlete who has achieved international recognition, athletes who are members of a team with international recognition, professional athletes, and coaches.
To be considered an “Internationally Recognized Individual Athlete”, you must be highly skilled, with significant achievements. You should be a leader in your sport and be well-known outside of your own country. Finally, you must be coming to the United States to participate in an event that has a “distinguished reputation and be at an internationally recognized level of performance.”
What about support personnel?
Coaches, scouts, trainers, broadcasters, referees, linesmen, umpires, and interpreters are eligible for P-1S temporary nonimmigrant work visa. They must be considered to be an integral part of the athletic performance of a P-1A nonimmigrant visa holder. In addition, the duties they perform must be those that could not easily be performed by a U.S. worker.
How About Family of P-1A Visa Holders?
The spouse and children under 21 of a P-1A Athletic Performance visa holder may enter the United States with a P-4 visa. However, they are not entitled to work authorization. They may instead pursue educational goals.