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).

How It Works

  • 1. We will guide you in gathering the right evidence to meet these standards. The P-1A visa has stringent eligibility criteria. We will help you understand what qualifies you in your field.


  • 2. Attorneys assist in compiling and organizing the necessary documents, such as awards, publications, reviews, and letters of recommendation. We know how to present this evidence effectively to maximize your chances of approval.


  • 3. Immigration procedures can be time-consuming and stressful. Having legal assistance streamlines the process, saving you time and alleviating the stress associated with navigating the complexities of the visa application.


  • PREMIUM PROCESSING: Petitions can be expedited in just 2 weeks with USCIS's premium processing.


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.

Who Are We?

Based in Los Angeles, DMT Law Firm holds a decade of specialized experience in entertainment and business immigration. We have successfully obtained O-1 and/or O-2 visas for well over 1,000 clients including tattoo artists for major studios.  Notably, our client roster boasts influential figures from all industries such as Faith No More, Capleton, Tame Impala, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Naked and Famous, and World of Dance, Fabricio Werdum, and many others.

Contact us

Sign up to our newsletter

Share by: