US Cherishes the Admit of Artists, Athletes and Entertainers through a Special P Visa!!

Individual or team athletes, artists or entertainers who have gained an international attraction and would want to carry out similar programs or participate in sporting event in the US are entertained to enter US through P visa.

Categories of P Visa
Three categories of people are eligible for the P visa:
• Athletes and performers (entertainers) (P-1)
• Artists in exchange programs (P-2)
• Culturally unique artists (P-3)


Professional Artists, Athletes, and Entertainers Visa - P-1 Visa
P-1 visa is a subcategory of P visa and is applicable to athletes performing at an internationally recognized level of performance, either as part of a group or individually, and to entertainers or performers performing as part of a group that has been recognized internationally for a continued period of time. P-1A visa is given for Professional Sports Players and Athletes and P-1B visa is given for Entertainers.

In order to successfully file in the P-1A subcategory, the applicant needs to provide evidence concerning the athletic competition or league in which the athlete will participate and also the evidence concerning the distinguished ability of the athletes including rankings in the field.

Individuals cannot apply P-1B while it is allocated for reputed group of entertainers. Three fourth of the group members must have had a continued and substantial relationship with the group for at least 1 year and must have provided functions integral to the group's performance, although this may be waived if one member is being replaced due to illness or other extraordinary circumstances and they perform a crucial role.


Artists and Entertainers under Reciprocal Exchange Programs- P2 Visa
The P2 visa is a subcategory of P visa and is provided to artists and entertainment groups, and their support personnel for entering the U.S. to perform under a reciprocal exchange program between the U.S. and the foreign country.

On P-2 visa a person may enter the U.S. and perform on receiving payment and even engage in part time study. P-2 visa holder may apply for visas for accompanying essential support personnel and apply for P-4 visas for dependents

P2 visa cannot be applied by an individual. A U.S. employer has to sponsor your P2 visa. Your employer must file USCIS Form I-129, petition for a nonimmigrant worker with O/P supplement and supporting documentation with the USCIS. Once the USCIS approves of the P2 visa petition, one can apply for the P2 visa at an American Consulate overseas.


Artists or Entertainers in a culturally unique program- P3 Visa
The P-3 visa is a subcategory of P visa and is a nonimmigrant visa which allows foreign nationals to enter into the U.S. to for the purpose of developing, interpreting, representing, coaching, or teaching a unique or traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performance or presentation, individually or as part of a group, under a program that is culturally unique.
P-3 Visa holders enjoy the same benefit as P-2 visa holders. P-3 visa holders need to work for the same sponsor. If the visa holders change the job then they need to apply for new visa.


Dependents of P Visa Holders
Though dependents of P visa holders are permitted to enter into the US with P-4 visa and allowed to take up a course to study, they are not permitted to work.


Immigration Guide