P1 Visa USA Requirements, Can you work on a P1 visa?

Who can get a P1 visa?

The people who can apply for and receive a P1 visa are the global professional athletes who have achieved international recognition through sports games and competitions.

The success or achievement needs to be recognized internationally and brought fame to the person.

The achievement can be a substantial award, holding a high ranking, or representing the sport’s national team globally.

The team needs to be able to provide a level of international recognition to be eligible for the visa.

Not only can you apply on your own for the visa, but also as a team that has obtained a successful result in the sports field.

The people who accompany the person or the team, such as the coach or supporting staff, are also eligible to apply for the P1 visa.

What are the requirements for a US P1 visa?

Applicants for a P1A visa should consider the following:

• Athletes must participate in the major US sports league.
• They need to participate in a US college, university, or intercollegiate sports league.
• Athletes must have competed in a national or international level tournament or event.
• Players must have been nationally or internationally placed in a high position.
• Athletes must have won a national or international award to prove their superiority.

P1B applicants must also be internationally recognized and able to meet the following requirements:

• The entertainer or group has had significant gains in terms of ratings, records, video sales, or box office sales.
• They must have accomplishments described in trade journals or major newspapers.
• The entertainment group should be known among critics, government agencies, or other field experts who can testify to the individual’s or group’s successes.
• Entertainment groups should have a good income because of the activities they do.

What documents must be prepared for a US P1 visa?

Whether you are applying for a P1A or a P1B, you must provide the following documents:

• The approval of Form I-797
• Employer’s letter containing explanations about the performance and events
• Contract with employer or sponsor
• Prove that the athlete, entertainer, or team members are nationally and internationally recognized
• Provide civil documents such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate (If your family members accompany you under a P4 visa)

What is the application process for a P1 visa?

Now that we know what a P1 visa is and who is qualified for it let’s see how to apply. Athletes and entertainers alone cannot apply for a P1 visa themselves. They need to be sponsored by an employer or organization in the United States. So, first of all, finding a sponsor and starting the sponsorship process is important.
The sponsor must send documents and forms to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and receive approval. After the issuance of the approval, the next steps of the application process will be initiated by the applicant.

A sponsor or employer must do the following:

The employer submits form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, to the USCIS. This petition is fundamental permission for P1 visa applicants to apply for a visa. The request costs $ 460 and must not be submitted earlier than six months before the scheduled performance. Depending on whether you are applying as a group or an individual, the employer will choose the type of petition.

Applicants for a P1 visa must have proof that they are eligible for the visa. These documents must be submitted to the USCIS by the employer. Applicants for a P1A visa must provide a contract with an American league or sports team. Other documents include:

• Proof that you are going to participate in a major US sports event
• Demo
• Proof of the high ranking of the team or athlete, particularly if the sport has an international ranking system.
• Proof that you intend to participate at the international level in a national team.
• Prove that you and your team have won significant awards.
• Evidence that you’ve participated in a past competition for a US university or college.
• A written declaration from an expert or a sports media member reveals that you are known at an international level.

Applicants must also present the following documents for a P1B visa to prove their eligibility to obtain a visa:

• A letter listing the names of all the members of the group and the date they were hired
• Contracts of the group with the sponsors
• Travel plan, including dates and duration of each event
• Prove that the group demands a high payment for their services in comparison with other teams in the same industry
• Documents related to the international appreciation of the group from newspapers and magazines
• Proof of the achievements of the team during recent events, such as receipts or video sales
• Proof of anyone in the group with exceptional achievements or recognition from government agencies, organizations, experts, or critics in the field

It takes 2 to 8 weeks to evaluate and process the documents after the employer applies to the USCIS. After the application is approved, the USCIS issues Form I-797C, Notice of Action, to sponsors and applicants. Athletes or entertainers can then complete the rest of the visa application process.

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Athletes or entertainers must do the following:

Applicants for a US P1 visa must complete the following steps:

1. Complete the Online Application Form: This form is required for all US non-immigrant visa applicants. It contains questions about your personal information and the purpose of your trip to the United States. To complete this form, you can visit the Consular Electronic Application Center website.

2. Pay the visa application fee: The P1 visa cost is $190. Without payment, the visa application will not be processed. On the other hand, this cost is non-refundable. Depending on the relationship between your country and the United States, you may have to pay for visa issuance.

3. Schedule a visa interview appointment: All applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 must be interviewed at the embassy. You must apply to schedule your appointment time for the interview. Since the workload of embassies varies, we recommend that you schedule as soon as possible. Once the interview is scheduled, you will get a confirmation letter containing information such as the interview date and place. You must bring this letter with you on the day of the interview.

4. Prepare documents: you must provide the following documents:

• The approval of Form I-797
• Employer’s letter containing explanations about the performance and events
• Contract with employer or sponsor
• Prove that the athlete, entertainer, or team members are nationally and internationally recognized
• Provide civil documents such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate if your family members accompany you under a P4 visa

5. Attend an interview: As mentioned, the interview will take place at the embassy. You must be at the embassy on time for the interview.

How long does it take to be evaluated the documents and issue a visa?

Applicants for this visa typically have to wait between 3 and 6 months. If you want your visa application processed faster, you can pay for premium processing. It costs about $1225. If you pay this fee, the result of your visa will be determined within 15 days. If you are not notified within 15 days, the money will be refunded to you.

How Long is a P1 visa valid?

P1 visa duration varies depending on whether you apply for this visa individually or as a group. If you are an athlete and apply for this visa individually, your visa will be valid for up to 5 years. You can then extend your visa for another five years. You must return to your home country after this period has expired. If you apply for a visa as a team, your visa will be valid for one year, and you can extend your stay for another year by renewing your visa. For fundamental personnel, the primary validity is one year, but they may increase their stay for an additional five years.

For entertainers, either in a group or as individuals, the visa will be valid for up to a year. If the group performance is not completed by the end of the visa validity, the visa will be extended for another year.

Applicants for this visa can also work for more than one employer, provided that each employer file a separate petition. On the other hand, if a person or team intends to change their employer, the new employer or sponsor must submit a new appeal.

Can a P1 visa holder receive a Green Card?

If you want to get a Green Card under the P visa, you will face many difficulties. Because during the visa application process, you declare that you do not intend to reside permanently in the United States.  If you have a P visa and want to get a residence permit, you can consider one of the following options:

• Marry an American citizen or legal resident
• If your family members live in the United States, you can apply through them.
• Change your current status to another visa, such as an H1-B visa.
• If you are a professional athlete with extraordinary abilities, you can apply for the EB-1 or EB-2 Green Card.

Can the holders of a P1 visa bring their dependents to the US?

Yes. All holders of P1, P2, and P3 visas can bring their children and spouses to the United States under the P4 visa. Dependents of P visa holders can obtain their visas at the same time as the principal applicant or after him/her. Holders of a P4 visa can live and study in the United States but are not allowed to work.

What is the difference between a P1 and a P2 visa?

The United States issues the P2 visa for artists and entertainers who intend to attend government-allowed programs. It is temporary work permission for nonimmigrants who have come to perform in this country through government reciprocal exchange programs between the organization in their own country and the US.

Applicants for this visa must provide the following documents:

• A contract setting the reciprocal exchange program
• Evidence that artists involved in the program have similar skills and employment conditions
• Evidence that the Labor Organization is part of the negotiations in this program

What is the difference between a P1 and a P3 visa?

The P3 visa enables foreign nationals to come to the US to perform, teach, or coach as artists or entertainers, individually or as part of a group, under a culturally unique program. The application process for this visa is similar to those for a P1 visa, but applicants must also provide the following documents:

• It must be shown that the performance or training provided is culturally unique.
• Evidence must be provided that the coach has sufficient skill in that cultural event.

How long can I stay on a P1 visa?

The duration of stay for a US P1 visa is up to the validity of the visa. The validity is explained, but you should know that it is up to the way you apply for the visa.

If you apply on your own, the P1 visa will be valid for 5 years, and you can stay the whole length in the US. Also, you are allowed to extend your visa for another five years and stay in the US for 10 years. But you can not extend the visa after 10 years.

In case you apply as a team for a P1 visa, it will be valid for only one year, and you can stay in the country for one year. You have the authorization to renew the visa for another year and up to five years and stay the whole time in the US.

How do I renew my P1 visa?

You need to apply to the USCIS to renew your US P1 visa. You mail your application to them, and the website guides you on the further stages to follow. First, you need to apply to the USCIS and then apply for a new visa to the US Consulate outside of the USA.

However, you would better begin the application a bit early and consider some delay time. Also, you might require to gather some supporting documents along the way.

What is the P1 status?

You are residing in the US and are eligible to apply for Green Card. The process gets known, and with Adjustment of Status (AOS), you apply for a green card while staying legally in the US. Applying for a green card under a P1 visa is a bit hard, but you can do it. So the P1 visa permits the Adjustment of Status, but you must be eligible to apply for a green card. See the section above to know how you can convert your P1 visa to a green card.

Can you get a Social Security number with a P1 visa?

Yes. A US P1 visa permits you to receive a Social Security Administration (SSA) in the US. If you are an artist and have received the authorization to work in the country under an O or P visa category, you are entitled to receive the SSN code.

Is P1 visa dual intent?

There are two types of visas for the intention to visit the US. First is the non-immigrant visa you have the intention to leave the US and go back to your home country. You need to provide proof and evidence that you will leave the country when your visa expires.

The second category is the immigrant visa which allows you to stay for the long term in the US.

However, there are some types of US visas that permit you dual intent. It permits you to have two concepts in your mind;

• Immigration intention, when I’m in the US, I look for a lawful way to be qualified for lawful permanent residence.
• Non-immigrant intention, I want to leave the US when my visa is about to expire.

The dual intent visa types are useful for people who wish to stay in the US permanently. The article does not mean that if the visa is not dual, you can not receive permanent residency.

A US P1 visa is NOT A DUAL INTENT VISA, but you can change your status and stay permanently in the country if you are eligible.

Can you work on a P1 visa?

Yes, the P1 visa permits you to work in the US as a team or on your own.

The visa permits you to work for more than one employer. But the point is that each new employer needs to file a petition so the employee can work in the US.

The same is true with a team that works in the US. The employer of the team needs to file a new petition so the team can work for him/her.

Let’s sum up …

This article reviewed all the details of the P-1 visa, including the requirements, application process, processing time, and cost. On the Visa Library website, you can learn about other US visas as well as ways to immigrate to other countries. In case you have some experience, please write it down in the comment section. Your comments let the readers choose better and avoid mistakes. Conveying your experiences in comments is a great help for the applicants.

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