Non-Immigrant Visas: P Visa

The P visa classification is reserved for athletes and certain entertainers who have achieved national or international recognition as outstanding in the discipline.

The P category has three subdivisions:

1. P-1 is defined as members of entertainment groups or individual athletes and members of athletic teams.
2. P-2 is defined as entertainers who are part of reciprocal international exchanges.
3. P-3 is defined as those aliens coming to perform in programs that are culturally unique.

Key Points

• All P non-immigrants must seek entry to the United States temporarily and are required to have a residence abroad that they do not intend to abandon.
  
  
• Individual athletes may be admitted for up to five (5) years and their stay may be extended for up to five (5) years. The total period of stay for an individual athlete may not extend 10 years. All other P aliens may be admitted for up to one year and their stay may be extended in increments of one year.
  
  
• Spouses and minor children of P-1, P-2 and P-3 non-immigrants are eligible for P-4 status. They are subject to the same authorized period of stay and may not accept employment.
  
  
• No P visa may be approved unless an appropriate consultation with a labor organization has taken place.
  
  
• No numerical limitations exist as to the number of P visas issued annually.
  
  
• The regulations allow agents to file petitions in lieu of employers for an alien who is traditionally self-employed or who plans to arrange short-term employment with numerous employers. P aliens are not allowed to petition for themselves.
  
  

Should you have questions about the P Visa or other immigration matters contact us for professional and personalized legal counsel.