P-1 Athletes and Entertainment Groups

P-1 Visa

The P-1 visa is designated for entertainers, circus artists, and athletes who are coming to the US temporarily to perform at a specific competition or event. An athlete who wishes to remain in the US for a longer period of time should apply for an O-1 visa.  P visas are appropriate for:

• Internationally recognized athletes or athletic teams entering the US to participate in an event of international standing;
• Entertainers and entertainment companies recognized internationally as outstanding to tour the US or participate in events;
• Distinguished circus artists who wish to work in the US.

P-1 Visa Eligibility
Entertainers, circus artists, and athletes who wish to qualify for the visa must show two of the following:

• A written consultation by an appropriate labor organization;
• Significant participation in a prior season with a major United States sports league;
• Participation in international competition with a national team;
• Significant participation in a prior season for a US college or university in intercollegiate competition;
• A written statement from an official of the governing body of the sport which details how the alien or team is internationally recognized;
• A written statement from a member of the sports media or a recognized expert in the sport which details how the alien or team is internationally recognized;
• The individual or team is ranked, if the sport has international rankings; or
• The alien or team has received a significant honor or award in the sport.

P-1 Athletes

P-1 visas for athletic teams.  P-1 teams must be recognized internationally as outstanding in the discipline. Both must be coming to perform services that require such recognition. The P-1 athletic teams and entertainment groups may be valid for the period necessary to accomplish the event or activity, not to exceed one year. P-1 visas may be renewed thereafter year by year.

P-1 visas for individual athletes.  P-1 athletes may show international recognition based on their own reputation and achievements as individuals.  P-1 visas for individual athletes may be valid for up to five years, with one five-year extension. The visa allows short vacations and promotional appearances and stopovers, which are incidental and/or related to the event admitted for.

Generally, contracts must be provided with the petition if normally required and documentation of at least two of the following:

• Significant participation in a prior season with a major U.S. sports league;
• Participation in international competition with a national team;
• Significant participation in a prior season for a U.S. college or university in intercollegiate competition;
• A written statement by an official of the sport's governing body detailing how the athlete or team is internationally recognized;
• A written statement from a member of the sports media or recognized expert in the sport detailing how the athlete or team is internationally recognized;
• Evidence of ranking if the sport has international rankings;
• Evidence of receipt of a significant honor or award in the sport.

P-1 Entertainers and Performing Groups

P-1 visas are for members of entertainment groups that have been recognized internationally as outstanding in the discipline for a sustained and substantial period of time. Each individual must have a sustained and substantial relationship with the group (generally one-year). The group must be coming to the U.S. to undertake a specific, pre-arranged activity or group of activities, such as a concert or entertainment tour. Such activity could include short vacations, promotional appearances for the petitioning employer relating to the event or performance and stopovers which are incidental and/or related to the activity. An entertainment event could include an entire season of performances. A group of related activities will also be considered an event.

Generally, P-1 entertainers and performing groups must:

• Establish that the group has been established and performing regularly for at least one year;
• Provide a statement from the petitioner listing each member of the group and the exact date for which each member has been employed on a regular basis by the group; and
•  Evidence that the group has been internationally recognized for a sustained and substantial period of time shown by one of two methods:
• The group's nomination for or receipt of significant international awards or prizes for outstanding achievement in the field; or
• The group has achieved at least three of the following:

• Has and will perform as a leading or starring group in distinguished productions or events;
• International recognition and acclaim for outstanding achievements;
• Has and will perform services as a leading or starring group for organizations and establishments with a distinguished reputation;
• Record of major commercial or critical acclaimed success;
• Significant recognition for achievements from organizations, critics, government agencies or other recognized experts;
• Has or will command high salary or other remuneration.

Spouses and children of the P-1 visa holder may obtain a P-4 visa to enter and remain in the US. The P-4 visa holder may attend school but if s/he wishes to work s/he must change his/her status to obtain a work visa.

P-2 Visa

The P-2 visa is designated for artists or entertainers individually or as part of a group entering the US temporarily as a part of an exchange program. Generally, P2 visas are for artists, entertainers and entertainment troupes or bands entering the US through a government recognized reciprocal exchange program and their support personnel. There should be two organizations involved in this exchange program: one in the US and one abroad.
Artists and entertainers who wish to qualify for the visa must show the following:

• A written consultation by an appropriate labor organization;
• A copy of the formal reciprocal exchange agreement between the US organization(s) sponsoring the alien and the organization(s) in a foreign country which will receive the US artist or entertainer;
• A statement from the sponsoring organization describing the reciprocal exchange of US artists or entertainers as it relates to the specific petition for which classification is sought;
• Evidence the alien and the US artist or entertainer subject to the reciprocal exchange agreement are artists with comparable skills and that the terms and conditions of employment are similar; or
• Evidence that an appropriate labor organization in the US was involved in negotiating, or has concurred with, the reciprocal exchange of US and foreign artists or entertainers.

Spouses and children of the P-2 visa holder may obtain a P-4 visa to enter and remain in the US. The P-4 visa holder may attend school but if s/he wishes to work s/he must change his or her status to obtain a work visa.

P-3 Visa

The P-3 visa is designated for teachers and coaches coming temporarily to perform, teach or coach as artists or entertainers, individually or as part of a group, under a culturally unique program and their support personnel.

Teachers and coaches who wish to qualify for the visa must show the following:

• A written consultation from an appropriate labor organization;
• Documentation from recognized experts attesting to the authenticity of the alien's or group's skills in performing, presenting, coaching or teaching the unique and traditional art forms;
• Documentation that all of the performances or presentations will be culturally unique events; and
• Documentation that the performance of the alien or group is culturally unique.

Spouses and children of the P-3 visa holder may obtain a P-4 visa to enter and remain in the US. The P-4 visa holder may attend school but if s/he wishes to work s/he must change his or her status to obtain a work visa.

Support Personnel of P-1, P-2 and P-3 Visa Holders

Accompanying support personnel who are highly skilled foreign nationals coming temporarily as an essential and integral part of the competition or performance of a P-1, P-2, or P-3. Essential support personnel must perform support services which cannot be readily performed by a U.S. worker and which are essential to the successful performance or services of the athlete or entertainer.