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Athletes, Artists & Entertainers O Visa: The O visa classification provides for the admission into the United States of persons with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business and athletics, or extraordinary achievement in motion picture and television production, and their essential support personnel. Only individuals qualify for the O-1 visa category. In order for a group to qualify, each member would be required to meet the extraordinary ability test. The visa is granted for a specific event, such as a tour, lecture series or project. O-2 Visa: For athletes and members of the entertainment industry, a provision exists whereby aliens, who are an integral part of the performance and have skills and experience which are not available in the United States location, may apply for O-2 visas to accompany the O-1 visa holder. P- 1 Visa: The P- 1 visa classification provides for admission into the United States of certain athletes, entertainers and artists, and essential support personnel. Individual members of the entertainment industry are not eligible for the P-1 visa classification, but individual athletes are. For members of the entertainment industry, the visa will be issued for a specific event only. However, individual athletes may be admitted for five years and a team for a period of six months. P-2 Visa: The P-2 visa classification provides for the admission into the United States of an artist or entertainer, either an individual or group, involved in a reciprocal exchange program between an organization or organizations in the United States and one or more foreign countries which provides for the temporary exchange of artists and entertainers. P-3 Visa: The P-3 visa classification provides for the admission into the United States of an artist or entertainer, either an individual or group, to perform, teach, or coach under a program that is culturally unique. Filing the I-129 Petition with USCIS: All applicants for O and P visas must petition the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States for approval. This is done by filing a petition, called Form I-129, with the USCIS. Form I-129 may be obtained from the USCIS in the United States. Please complete the I-129 and send it to one of the USCIS Regional Service Centers listed on the form. After the USCIS receives your completed I-129, they will take two to eight weeks to process it. If approved, the USCIS will mail the approved petition to the Embassy, and will also send telegraphic notification of the approval to the Embassy at the petitioner's expense. In addition, the USCIS will mail to the petitioner and beneficiary a notification of approval. This notification is on Form I-797. An I-797 approval notice is not a visa. You must obtain a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to enter the U.S.
Application Procedures: For information on the documents required to apply for an athletes, artists or entertainers visa, pleas see our application checklist.
Visas for family members:
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Important Notices |
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