The P-1A visa is available to foreign athletes who wish to participate in a competition or tournament while visiting the United States. This visa applies to foreign athletes, teams, and coaches entering the United States for a competition.
Applying For A P-1A Visa
In order to qualify for a P-1A visa athletes, teams and coaches must be participating in a tournament or competition which has a distinguished reputation and requires international participants. Individual athletes must be employed as a professional athlete and their employer must be a part of a league, club or association which have a minimum of 6 competitors and generate at least $10 million of revenue per year.
International Recognition Evidence
Teams or individual athletes who wish to acquire a P-1A visa for a competition or tournament held in the United States must submit a contract with their employer or government entity and must submit a minimum of 2 pieces of evidence proving international recognition. Prospective P-1A visa applicants may submit at least 2 pieces of evidence from the following list:
- Evidence proving significant participation prior to applying
- Evidence of team participation in an international competition or tournament
- Evidence of prior participation with an intercollegiate competition or tournament held in the United States
- A written statement from the applicants foreign government entity proving recognition
- Evidence of ranking in their respective league, club or association
- Evidence of earning a significant award, honor or trophy
Submission Of Form I-129
In addition to providing evidence of international evidence, applicants must also fill out and submit the Petition For A Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129. When submitting Form I-129, applicants are required to submit all the following:
- Detailed consultation form from their foreign labor organization describing the sport the applicant is involved in and their qualifications
- A copy of the applicants employment contract
- Detailed description of the applicants proposed length of stay within the United States
- Itinerary of the tournament or competition being held in the United States
Speak To An Experienced Immigration Law Firm
It is important for P-1A visa applicants to reach out to an experienced immigration law firm, as the application process is not only lengthy, but also requires an extensive amount of evidence and form submission. The Law Offices of Kermit A. Monge, PLLC has years of experience assisting and providing legal counsel to foreign athletes looking to compete in competitions and tournaments held in the United States. For more information, please give us a call at 703.273.5500 or request a consultation online.