USA Immigration

The P Visa category contains the following types of visas:

P-1A : Athletes
Issued to a person who performs as an athlete or as part of a group or team at ‘an internationally recognized level of performance’.

P-1B : Group Entertainers
Issued to a person who performs with or is an essential part of an entertainment group that has been recognized internationally, and the performer has had a sustained relationship with the group for at least one year.

P-2 : Reciprocal Exchange Program
Issued to an artist or entertainer who is under a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the U.S. and a foreign state.

P-3 : Unique Cultural Program
Issued to an artist or entertainer who wishes to perform or teach in a program that is culturally unique.

P-4 : Family
Issued to the spouse and dependant children of a beneficiary of a P visa for the duration of the same term.

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P Visa

Purpose:
allows athletes and entertainers to come to the U.S. temporarily to compete or perform; also allows artists and entertainers to come to the U.S. temporarily to participate in reciprocal exchange programs or in culturally unique programs

Requirements:
(1) a job offer or contract for work in the U.S. or proof of participation in an exchange program or a culturally unique program

Duration of Visa:
Variable

Description:
There are several different visas available under the P visa category. The first option is for athletes and entertainers who are coming to the U.S. temporarily to compete in an athletic event or to perform. Unlike the O visa category, which requires proof of “extraordinary ability,” a P visa does not impose this standard. P visas are also available for artists and entertainers coming to the US. to participate in a reciprocal exchange program or in a culturally unique program. To get a P visa, you need a specific job offer or contract from an employer or an agent in the U.S. or abroad. If you are an artist or an entertainer applying for a P visa based on your participation in an exchange program or a culturally unique program, you must provide documentation about that program. Athletes with P status may be allowed to stay initially for up to 5 years, with the possibility of an extention of stay for another 5 years. Other P visa holders are allowed to stay in the U.S. for the amount of time necessary to complete their events and may be granted extensions of 1 year.