Employment-based Immigration: P Visas: Artists, Athletes & Entertainers

The P visa allows aliens to temporarily come to the United States to perform services as:

  • P-1 - an internationally recognized athlete, individually or as part of a group or team, or member of an internationally recognized entertainment group
  • P-2 - an artist or entertainer under a reciprocal exchange program
  • P-3 - an alien who is coming solely to perform, teach, or coach under a program that is culturally unique
  • P-4 - the spouse or child who is accompanying or following to join the alien

Requirements for the P-1 Visa

A P-1 classification applies to an alien who is coming temporarily to the United States:

  • To perform at specific athletic competition as an athlete, individually or as part of a group or team, at an internationally recognized level or performance, or
  • To perform with, or as an integral and essential part of the performance of, and entertainment group that has been recognized internationally as being outstanding in the discipline for a sustained and substantial period of time, and who has had a sustained and substantial relationship with the group (ordinarily for at least 1 year) and provides functions integral to the performance of the group

The P-1 category is the principal mechanism by which athletes, entertainers, and artists who are not of extraordinary ability (O-1 aliens), come to work on specific projects to the United States. 

The P-1A for Athletes

P-1 classification as an athlete may be granted to an alien who is an internationally recognized athlete based on his or her own reputation and achievements as an individual. The alien must be coming to the United States to perform services which require an internationally recognized athlete. The athlete must have an internationally recognized reputation as an international athlete or must be a member of a foreign team that is internationally recognized.  The athlete or team must be coming to the United States to participate in an athletic competition which has a distinguished reputation and which requires participation of an athlete or athletic team that has an international reputation.

The P-1B for Members of an Internationally Recognized Entertainment Group

A P-1 classification may be accorded to an entertainment group that has been internationally recognized as outstanding in the discipline for a sustained and substantial period of time.  Seventy-five percent of the members of the group must have had a sustained and substantial relationship with the group for at least 1 year and must provide functions integral to the group's performance.  Individual entertainers are not eligible for P-1 classification to perform apart from the group.

P-2 Reciprocal Exchange Program Artists and Entertainers

P-2 classification applies to an aliens coming temporarily to the United States to perform as an artist or entertainer, individually or as a group, or to perform as an integral part of the performance of such a group, and who seeks to perform under a reciprocal exchange program which is between an organization or organizations in the United States and an organization or organizations in one or more foreign states, and which provides for the temporary exchange of artists and entertainers, or groups of artists and entertainers.

P-3 Culturally Unique Performers

P-3 classification is for artists or entertainers coming to the United States to perform, teach, or coach under a commercial or noncommercial program that is culturally unique.

Contact The Chander Law Firm for Entertainment & Sport Immigration

The P classification is regularly used in the entertainment and sports industries.  If you have questions about P visas or other employment-based immigration options, contact The Chander Law Firm today.

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