P-Visas

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Personal Injury

Immigration Law

Additional Areas

Visas limited to artists, athletes, entertainers, coaches and staff coming to the U.S. for a single or series of events.

The P-Visa a non-immigrant visa that is specifically for athletes, artists, entertainers and their coaches or support staff, to come to the U.S. for a single event or a series of events. There are essentially three sub-categories of the P visa, and the length of time they are issued depends on the period of time required to complete the event, activity or performance.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE P VISA CATEGORIES:

P-1 applies to an individual or team athletes (P-1A), or members of an entertainment group (P-1B) that are internationally recognized.
P-2 applies to artists or entertainers who will perform under a reciprocal exchange program.
P-3 applies to artists or entertainers who perform under a program that is culturally unique.
P-4 are for the spouse, and child, of any of the P categories.

THE P-1 VISA

The P-1A visa is issued to athletes who are coming to the U.S. by themselves or part of a bigger group/team to participate in athletic activities in the U.S and to promote themselves, their team and sport. The P-1B is a visa for entertainers, whether they are individuals or in a group to participate in various entertainment programs, competitions, or other activities. Entertainment groups could be a music group or a dance troupe.

To qualify under the P-1 visa as a team/group each athlete/entertainer that is part of a bigger group, must be an integral part of the performance of the group for at least one year, or a substantial period of time.

The spouse and children of the P visa holder, are eligible for the P-4 visas, but are not allowed to work in the U.S. The P visa holder may also bring their coaching and support staff to the U.S., for as long as the principal visa is valid.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A P-1 VISA

The following should be satisfied for issuance of a P-1:

The following should be satisfied for issuance of a P-1:
The immigrant must be a recognized athlete, entertainer, artist participating in an event of international standing.
The immigrant should have obtained an recognized award.
The immigrant if an athlete must provide evidence of contracts with a major U.S. sports organization.
Participation in a prior U.S. major sports league.
Participation in international competitions at a national level.
Written statements from the sports media or other recognized expert(s);
Significant participation in a prior U.S. sports league.

THE P-2 VISA

A P-2 visa for artists or entertainers is valid for a time period required to complete the event, activity, or performance, and should not exceed one year, but extensions in one-year increments are allowable. The P-2 visa is available to artists and entertainers either individually or as part of a group (needs to be an integral part of the performance of the group for at least 1 year year or a substantial period of time), who seek to perform under a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the U.S. and an organization in one or more foreign countries.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A P-2 VISA

It must be proven that:

An exchange program exists between the U.S. organization and the foreign organization.
The people involved in the exchange program are of equal caliber, and will be employed in similar conditions for similar periods of time.
A person must be highly experienced and possess skills comparable to those of U.S. entertainers or artists in the reciprocal program.
An appropriate labor organization is involved in negotiating the reciprocal exchange program.

THE P-3 VISA

The P-3 visa is available to artists or entertainers, either individually or as part of a group (needs to be an integral part of the performance of the group for at least 1 year year or a substantial period of time), who seek to enter the U.S. to perform, teach, or coach under a commercial or non-commercial culturally unique program.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A P-3 VISA

The following must be obtained:

Written consultation from an appropriate labor organization.
A copy of the contract between the petitioner and the beneficiary or the summary of the terms of an oral agreement between the petitioner and the beneficiary.
An explanation of the event and itinerary.
Affidavits, testimonials, or letters from recognized experts attesting to the authenticity of your or your group’s skills in performing, presenting, coaching, or teaching the unique and traditional art forms and giving the credentials of the expert including the basis of his or her knowledge of your or your group’s skills; OR documentation that your or your group’s performance is culturally unique as evidenced by reviews in newspapers, journals or other published materials.
Documentation that all of the performances or presentations will be culturally unique events.
If the events or performances will take place in multiple areas, an itinerary must be submitted. The itinerary must list the dates and locations of the events.

LENGTH OF A P VISA

The duration of the visa will depend on the category you fall into, but for example a P-1 will be issued for the duration of the activity up to five years, and there are extensions available for a maximum of ten years.

FAMILY MEMBERS

Your spouse and your unmarried children under the age of twenty-one, may accompany you to the United States. For employment questions for family members please contact us.

CONTACT US

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David A. Bredin

CONTACT & ADDRESS INFORMATION

136-18 39th Ave.
Suite 1002
Flushing, NY 11354

+1 (718) 285-0498
or
+1 (212) 791-1468
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Email: Office@BredinLaw.com

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