P Visas for Athletes, Artists and Entertainers

Overview of the P Visa

The P non-immigrant visa is divided into four sub-classifications that allow for temporary employment in the U.S. by qualified athletes, artists, and entertainers. The types of P visas are:

• P-1A visas
  The P-1A classification applies to those who are coming to the U.S. temporarily to perform at a specific athletic competition as an athlete, individually or as part of a group or team, at an internationally recognized level of performance.

• P-1B visas
  The P-1B classification applies to those who are coming to the United States temporarily to perform as a member of an entertainment group that has been recognized internationally as outstanding in the discipline for a sustained and substantial period of time.

• P-2 visas
  The P-2 classification applies to those who are coming temporarily to perform as an artist or entertainer, individually or as part of a group, who will perform under a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the U.S. and an organization in another country.

• P-3 visas
  The P-3 classification applies to those who are coming temporarily to perform, teach or coach as artists or entertainers, individually or as part of a group, under a program that is culturally unique.

To learn more about your options contact our San Francisco law firm to speak with one of our immigration attorneys.