P1 Visas, P2 Visas and P3 Visas

Video Transcript – P Visas – The Arts, Sports and Culture

Welcome to our video presentation on P Visas – The Arts, Sports and Culture. In this video, we’ll go through this great option for artists, entertainers, and athletes who perform primarily as part of a group and want to tour or work in the U.S.

The P visa, like its big brother, the O-1 visa, was created by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1990. While the O-1 is more focused on individuals with extraordinary ability, the P visa is designed for group performers — and yes, that includes athletes, too.

Now, one key difference: the O-1 visa allows individuals to work in their specialized field based on their extraordinary achievements. The P visa, on the other hand, doesn’t apply to individuals unless they meet specific group-based criteria. That said, you don’t need to be at the very top of your field to qualify for a P visa. What you do need is to be nationally or internationally recognized. For example, your group might have toured in other countries or gained recognition within your own community for your artistic contributions.

P Visa Types
P-1 Visa: Members of an entertainment group
P-2 Visa: Entertainers who are part of a reciprocal international exchange program
P-3 Visa: Aliens who are coming to perform in programs that are culturally unique
P-4 visa: Spouses and minor children of P visa holders.

Sponsorship Requirements: P visa applicants are required to be represented or sponsored by a U.S. organization or agent who might be coordinating the event or tour. The role of the sponsor is to provide a detailed account of the nature of the event or tour, and confirm the suitability of the applicants accordingly. Evidence will of course need to be submitted about the event(s) itself. This includes submitting supporting materials about the event itself — for example, past promotions, media coverage, or the event’s reputation in the community. At the same time we’ll be working with you to make sure that you submit sufficient information about your particular entertainment group so that we can establish the group’s notoriety to meet the P visa requirements.

Requirements and Undertakings For P Visa Holders – P-1 through P-3 visa applicants must be coming to the U.S. for a temporary purpose such as performing at a festival, going on tour, or participating in a cultural event.

If the band members wish to settle in the U.S. permanently, then we’d explore additional or alternative visa options such as determining whether each member could qualify for their own O-1 or EB-1 visa.

While in the U.S. on a P-1 visa, applicants must retain a residence in their home country and provide evidence that they are maintaining those home ties.

Supporting Band Members – Many larger and well-known bands may have supporting technicians for lighting, set-up and tear-down crews, managers and so forth that make the event possible. These supporting members can also obtain P-1B visas to enable them to travel with the group and perform their responsibilities.

All Forms of Artist Expression Welcome – And just to be clear — P visas aren’t limited to musical groups. They apply to all forms of cultural and artistic expression, including dance, painting, visual arts, teaching workshops, and any activity that is culturally unique and enriching.

We hope you found this presentation informative and helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact us so we can discuss any opportunity you may have.

Chris M. Ingram, a U.S. Immigration Attorney, is originally from Northampton, England. He earned his BA (Hons) in Law from De Montfort University, Leicester, UK, in 1994. In 1996, he completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (PGDLP) at De Montfort School of Law, followed by a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Huddersfield University, UK, in 1998. After relocating to the United States, Chris was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2003 and has been a proud member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) since 2004.

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