Texas P-1 Visa Attorneys
P-1 Visa (Artist/Athlete/Entertainment Group)
The P1 entertainment visa is a nonimmigrant visa which allows foreign nationals who are athletes, artists and entertainers to enter into the U.S. for a specific event, competition or performance. Entertainers, circus artists, and athletes who wish to qualify for the visa must show two of the following:
• A written consultation by an appropriate labor organization;
• Significant participation in a prior season with a major United States sports league;
• Participation in international competition with a national team;
• Significant participation in a prior season for a US college or university in intercollegiate competition;
• A written statement from an official of the governing body of the sport which details how the alien or team is internationally recognized;
• A written statement from a member of the sports media or a recognized expert in the sport which details how the alien or team is internationally recognized;
• The individual or team is ranked, if the sport has international rankings; or
• The alien or team has received a significant honor or award in the sport.
1. ELIGIBILITY:
An internationally recognized artist, entertainer, or athlete may enter into the U.S. to participate in a performance for a U.S. employer or an international employer working through a U.S. agent. The performance must require a performer of international quality.
The P1 Visa is appropriate for internationally recognized athletes or athletic teams entering the US to participate in an event of international standing; entertainers and entertainment companies recognized internationally as outstanding to tour the US or participate in events; and distinguished circus artists who wish to work in the U.S.
A P1 classification applies to an alien who is coming temporarily to the United States:
• 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, or
• To perform with, or as an integral and essential part of the performance of, an 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.
2. PRIVILEGES ON P-1 VISAS:
On P-1 visa, you may:
• Enter the U.S. and perform for payment or prize money;
• Engage in part time study;
• Apply for visas for accompanying essential support personnel;
• Apply for P-4 visas for your dependents.
3. LIMITATIONS ON P-1 VISAS:
The limitations of P-1 visa are:
• P-1 entertainers (though not athletes) must be performing as part of a group and not individually;
• P-1 visa petitions cannot be approved until the appropriate labor organization is consulted by the USCIS;
• You may work for multiple employers, however, each employer must file a separate Form I-129;
• Dependents are allowed to stay in the U.S. with you, but may not work.
4. DURATION:
You may be allowed to stay in the U.S. for up to five years with extensions not to exceed a total stay of ten years.
Visa processing can be difficult and confusing. If you would like the assistance of an experienced immigration attorney, please contact the firm by e-mail or call our offices. Bertolino LLP maintains offices in Austin, Houston and San Antonio. To reach an immigration law attorney in the Austin office, call 512.476.5757. For the San Antonio office, call 210.223.5553. For the Houston office, call 713.225.7474.
P-2 Visa (Artist/Athlete in an Exchange Program)
The P2 visa is designated for artists or entertainers individually or as part of a group entering the US temporarily as a part of an exchange program. There should be two organizations involved in this exchange program: one in the US and one abroad.
Artists and entertainers who wish to qualify for the visa must show the following:
• A written consultation by an appropriate labor organization;
• A copy of the formal reciprocal exchange agreement between the US organization(s) sponsoring the alien and the organization(s) in a foreign country which will receive the US artist or entertainer;
• A statement from the sponsoring organization describing the reciprocal exchange of US artists or entertainers as it relates to the specific petition for which classification is sought;
• Evidence the alien and the US artist or entertainer subject to the reciprocal exchange agreement are artists with comparable skills and that the terms and conditions of employment are similar; or
• Evidence that an appropriate labor organization in the US was involved in negotiating, or has concurred with, the reciprocal exchange of US and foreign artists or entertainers.
1. ELIGIBILITY:
A P2 classification applies to an alien who is coming temporarily to the United States to perform as an artist or entertainer, individually or as part of 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.
Visa processing can be difficult and confusing. If you would like the assistance of an experienced immigration attorney, please contact the firm by e-mail or call our offices. Bertolino LLP maintains offices in Austin, Houston and San Antonio. To reach an immigration law attorney in the Austin office, call 512.476.5757. For the San Antonio office, call 210.223.5553. For the Houston office, call 713.225.7474.
P-3 Visa (Artist/Athlete in a Culturally Unique Program)
The P-3 visa is a nonimmigrant visa which allows foreign nationals to enter into the U.S. to perform, teach or coach as artists or entertainers, individually or as part of a group, under a program that is culturally unique.
1. ELIGIBILITY:
A P-3 visa classification may be accorded to artists or entertainers, individually or as a group, coming to the U.S. for the purpose of developing, interpreting, representing, coaching, or teaching a unique or traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performance or presentation.
Further, you must be coming to the U.S. to participate in a cultural event or events which will further the understanding or development of your art form. The program may be of a commercial or noncommercial nature.
2. PRIVILEGES ON P-3 VISA:
On P-3 visa, you may:
• Enter the U.S. and perform for payment or prize money;
• Engage in part time study;
• Apply for visas for accompanying essential support personnel;
• Apply for P-4 visas for dependents
3. LIMITATIONS ON P-3 VISA:
The limitations of P-3 visa are:
• You may work only for the employer that sponsored you. If you change jobs, you must obtain a new visa;
• P-3 visa petitions cannot be approved until the appropriate labor organization is consulted by the USCIS;
• Dependents are allowed to stay in the U.S. with you, however they may not work.
4. DURATION:
You may stay in the U.S. for the period necessary to complete the performance or event for which you were admitted, and it may not exceed one year.
5. TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS:
There are no travel restrictions on P-3 visa. You may travel in and out of the U.S. as long as your visa stamp and status are valid.
Visa processing can be difficult and confusing. If you would like the assistance of an experienced immigration attorney, please contact the firm by e-mail or call our offices. Bertolino LLP maintains offices in Austin, Houston and San Antonio. To reach an immigration law attorney in the Austin office, call 512.476.5757. For the San Antonio office, call 210.223.5553. For the Houston office, call 713.225.7474.
