The P-1A Visa for Internationally Recognized Athletes
At Allen Pavlow we frequently work with tennis players and their coaches to secure P-1 or O-1 Visas, but we have experience working with athletes from many different sports.
One of the visas we pride ourselves on at Allen Pavlow is the P-1A Visa for internationally recognized athletes. The P-1A visa is a temporary U.S. work visa for athletes coming to the United States individually, or as part of a team, to perform at an internationally recognized level of performance. Our Immigration Partner, Tyler Allen, has successfully handeled P-1A Visas for an entire professional team, and tennis being his passion outside of the law, Tyler frequently handles visas (including P-1A visas) for tennis players and their coaches.
The P-1A can be processed fairly quickly through Premium Processing, and an entire athletic team (up to 25 named beneficiaries) can be combined onto one application; saving substantial time and filing fees.
Eligibility depends on establishing the individual athlete is "internationally recognized" based on their individual achievements, or that the athlete is a member of a foreign team that is internationally recognized. The athlete or team must also be coming to the U.S. to participate in competition with a "distinguished reputation," and that "requires participation of an athlete or athletic team that has an international reputation." Given these stringent requirements, each case is unique, but we have successfully helped numerous athletes to qualify for the P-1A visa.
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P-1A Visa Benefits:
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Initial stay: Up to five (5) years for individual athletes, with an extension authorized for up to five (5) more years (with a total authorized period of stay limited to 10 years for invidiual athletes). For teams, the initial period of stay is limited to one (1) year.
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Family: spouses and unmarried children under 21 can accompany athletes on dependent P-4 visas. Although they cannot work without first securing employment authorization, they can live and study in the United States.
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Can bring "essential support personnel" with you: Coaches and other "essential support personnel" (potentially sparring partners) who have prior experience working with the athlete(s), and who can be characterized as having critical skills and being essential to them, can come in with P-1S Visas.
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Basic P-1A Visa Requirements:
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Demonstrate International Recognition — normally this requires showing that you have a tendered contract with a major United States sports league or team, or a tendered contract commensurate with international recognition for individual sports (if such contracts are normal for your sport); and, documentation showing evidence of at least two of the following:
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Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season with a major United States sports league;
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Evidence of having participated in international competition with a national team;
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Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season for a U.S. college or university in intercollegiate competition;
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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;
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Evidence that the individual or team is ranked if the sport has international rankings; or
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Evidence that the alien or team has received a significant honor or award in the sport.
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*Note: P-1A athletes who are going to be playing on a U.S. team must file their applications with evidence that they have personally achieved international recognition in their sport based on their reputation.
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Have a detailed plan (usually an "itinerary") to enter the United States to participate in athletic competition of a distinguished nature, and which requires participation of an athlete or tream with an international reputation.
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Have a United States employer, agent, sponsoring organization, or a foreign employer (through a U.S. agent) sponsor your visa. **Note: we can help you to easily secure a qualifying United States agent for athletes in individual sports.**
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Secure a "written consultation" letter from a U.S. labor organization for the relevant sport (if such labor organization exists).
**Disclaimer: This website provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney–client relationship. You should not rely on this information without consulting a qualified attorney. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.**
