P visas

The P nonimmigrant category is reserved for athletes (who compete individually or as part of a team), artists, or entertainers seeking admission to the United States for a specific event or performance.   There are several  types of P visas (P-1, P-2 and P-3).   All must generally meet the standard of "internationally recognized" meaning "a high level of achievement in the field evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition substantially above that ordinarily encountered, to the extent that such achievement is renowned, leading or well-known in more than one country."

P-1

Individual Athletes & Entertainers

• Athletes:  The standard is "international recognition," which is a somewhat lesser standard than for O-1 athletes who must show "sustained national or international acclaim."  A petition must include evidence of at least two of the following:

  • Significant participation in a prior U.S. major league season

  • Participation in international competition with a national team

  • Significant participation in a prior U.S. college/university season in intercollegiate competition

  • Written statement from a major U.S. sports league or official of the sport's governing body detailing the alien's or team's international recognition

  • Written statement from the sports media or recognized expert

  • International ranking

  • Significant honors or awards in the sport

• Entertainers:  P-1 visa may be granted to members of an entertainment group provided the group has been recognized internationally as outstanding for a sustained period of time. Each member of the group must have had sustained a substantial relationship with the group for at least one year and be entering the US solely for the purpose of performing with that group.  A petition must include evidence that the group has met at least three of the following:

  • Has or will perform as a starring or leading entertainment group in productions or events with distinguished reputations

  • International acclaim and recognition for outstanding achievements

  • Has or will perform as a starring or leading group for organizations with distinguished reputations

  • Record of commercial or critically acclaimed successes

  • Significant recognition from organizations, critics, government agencies or other recognized experts

  • Has commanded or will command a high salary or substantial remuneration in comparison to others similarly situated

P-2

This applies to artists and performers who perform individually or as part of a group, pursuant to a reciprocal exchange program between two or more U.S. organizations and one or more of such organizations in other countries providing for the temporary exchange of artists and  entertainers.

P-3

Culturally unique artists and entertainers, individually or as a group, coming to the U.S. to develop, interpret, represent, coach or teach their particular art or discipline.  "Culturally unique" means an artistic style unique to a particular nation, country, society, class, ethnicity, religion, tribe or other group of persons.  Activities or events may be commercial or noncommercial.  Evidence to support a P-3 petition must include:

• Affidavits or testimonials or letters from recognized experts attesting to the authenticity of the group or individual entertainer; or,

• Documentation that performance of the alien or group is culturally unique; and,

• Evidence that all performances or presentations will be culturally unique events.

For a full list of Visas available to Foreign Nationals please click here.