P-1 Visas for Sports

P-1A Visas For Individual Athletes

For internationally recognized athletes. The P-1 Sport Visa is your pathway to showcasing athletic talent in U.S..  Applicants need to show significant recognition in their field and be sponsored by a U.S. employer or organization. The visa allows temporary stay for performances or events, initially up to 5 years, with extensions possible.  Discover eligibility details and streamline your application process with our guide.



Who Qualifies For A P-1A?


To qualify, applicants must show they are internationally recognized as an athlete.  There are several different ways to qualify for the P-1A.

What Are The Perks Of The P-1A Visa?

Can be renewed for another five years.

Support personnel essential for athletes can be included.

Opportunities to learn from experts and collaborate with other athletes in the US.

There are no caps on P-1a visas like some other visas (such as H-1B).

Who Are The Parties Involved?

  • BENEFICIARY: The internationally recognized athlete or member of a sports team who seeks to enter the United States to participate in a specific athletic competition or event.


  • EMPLOYER: The employer is whoever is paying the athlete directly. There are various ways to structure these petitions.  They can be set up so the artist can work with various studios, only one studio, or even open their own studio.



  • PETITIONER: The Petitioner is the liaison between employers and US Government and must be a US company or person.  If the athlete will only work at one US studio, typically that studio will be both petitioner and employer.  Otherwise, you can use a third party as petitioner.

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