P Visa Attorney & Lawyers

Considered to be a unique category of work visa, the P visa is exclusive to artists and entertainers entering the United States as individuals, teams, or with entertainment companies.

What Is P Visa ?

The P Visa is a short-term U.S. visa, open to foreign nationals of multiple subcategories. 

P-1A – Internationally Recognized Athlete

P-1B – Member of an International Entertainment Group 

P-2 – Solo Performer or Part of a performing Reciprocal Exchange Program Group

P-3 – Entertainer or Artist Participating in a Culturally Unique Program

Considered to be a unique category of work visa, the P visa is exclusive to artists and entertainers entering the United States as individuals, teams, or with entertainment companies.The applicants of the P-visa are required to submit proof of a job offer from a U.S. employer. Further, the essential support personnel of such applicants may also be granted visas under a similar letter-number designation.

Who Qualifies for the P-1A Visa?

You are eligible to opt for a P-1A visa under-

Under the individual athlete quota, the applicant must be coming to the States to participate in competition, individual events, or performances. Further, the player needs to be internationally recognized with a significant level of achievement to their name, supported by a degree of recognition for special skills, and must be famous in more than one country.

The Athletic Teams Criteria requires applicants to participate in team events during their visit to the States. The individual must have significant international recognition and participate in a distinguished match with teams of international recognition.

Athletes coming to the United States must have their Form I-129 filed by the U.S employer. The application needs to be backed by a Petition for nonimmigrant Worker, an appropriate fee, and necessary documentation.
However, if you’re a petitioner filing as an agent for multiple employers, you’ll have to establish your authorization to act as an agent.

Who Qualifies for the P-1B Visa?

The P-1B classification applies to you if you’re an applicant visiting the United States temporarily. For an application under this category, you need to be a member of an entertainment group with outstanding international recognition in discipline for a substantial period. At least 75% of your group members must be associated with the group for a substantial time or at least a year. Further, the applicants will only be considered under the group’s reputation as a whole. Individual entertainers who won’t be performing as a group aren’t eligible for this visa classification.

Foreign circus performers and essential personnel are exempted from the year and international recognition requirement. However, the foreign applicants must be coming to participate in a nationally recognized circus. Further, certain nationally renowned entertainment groups may be an exception to the internationally recognized clause if they can establish national recognition as outstanding in its discipline for a prolonged period.

Performing Groups coming to the United States must have their Form I-129 filed by the U.S employer. The application further needs to be submitted with a Petition for nonimmigrant workers, appropriate fee, and necessary documentation. Your employer must also submit consultation from a recognized labor organization highlighting the nature of the work done. In the case of groups, your employer can also submit a statement proving an established group performing regularly for over a year. However, it should be noted that if you’re a petitioner filing as an agent for multiple employers, you’ll have to establish your authorization.

Applicants under the Visa category P-1B can opt for a change in employer once the new employer files for a Form I-129 with USCIS, seeking permission for employment and extended stay. Note that you cannot commence employment until your Form I-129 has been approved.

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Other Type Of Work Visa

Who Qualifies for the P-2 Visa?

The P-2 visa is a temporary classification that applies to entertainers coming to the United States as entertainers or artists, individually or as part of a group performing under an exchange program between a foreign organization and the United States. You must be an artist entering the States via a reciprocal exchange program that the government recognizes. In addition, you must have skills equivalent to those of United States artists and entertainers who’ll be a part of the exchange.

Applicants of the P-2 visa must have their Form I-129 filed by the U.S employer, supported alongside Petition for nonimmigrant Worker, appropriate fee, and necessary documentation. Remember, if you’re a petitioner filing as an agent for multiple employers, you’ll have to verify your authorization.

Applicants under the Visa category P-2 are entitled to change employers. Still, you can only do this once your new employer files for a Form I-129 with USCIS, seeking permission for employment and extended stay. Note that you cannot commence employment until your Form I-129 has been approved.

Who Qualifies for the P-3 Visa?

The P-3 classification applies to you if you’re a temporary foreign national visiting the United States to teach, perform or coach as an entertainer or artist. Further, the applicant must justify whether they’ll come individually, as a group member, or under a cultural exchange program. Remember, the program may either be of commercial or noncommercial nature.

Applicants of the P-3 visa need to get their Form I-129 filed by the sponsoring organization or the U.S employer. A Petition must further support the application for nonimmigrant Worker. Remember, if you’re a petitioner filing as an agent for multiple employers, you’ll have to verify your authorization.

Applicants under the Visa category P-3 can change employers once the new employer files for a Form I-129 with USCIS, seeking permission for employment and extended stay. Further, it should be noted that you cannot commence employment until your Form I-129 has been approved.

Family of P Visa Holders

If you’re a successful P visa holder, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years are entitled to a P-4 status. However, it should be noted that your dependents can’t engage in employment but may attend school or college.  Since its inception, the Law Offices of Prashanthi Reddy, PLLC, an NYC-based immigration law practice, has helped many applicants successfully submit their P Visa applications. As a result, our attorneys are well versed with the right practices in P Visa cases, allowing us to foresee problems and provide appropriate advice at the right moment. For more information, contact The Law Offices of Prashanthi Reddy at prashanthi@reddyesq.com or by calling 212-354-1010.

How can our P Visa Attorney can help you?

If you need a P visa, it is crucial to understand the time sensitivity of the application process. As our experienced P visa lawyer, we recognize the importance of submitting a solid and well-organized application to avoid unnecessary delays or evidence requests. For any inquiries or assistance regarding P visas, please get in touch with us for a consultation.
Navigating the complicated P visa application process can be challenging. However, having an experienced attorney can make all the difference. At The Law Offices of Prashanthi Reddy, PLLC, our team of seasoned immigration experts works closely with both sponsors and applicants to ensure the submission of a comprehensive petition. This includes highlighting the applicant’s education, qualifications, and experience.
When you choose our P Visa Attorney NYC, you can expect the following services:

  1. Attentively listen to your story and address your concerns.
  2. Handle all the necessary immigration paperwork on your behalf.
  3. Assist you in overcoming any obstacles during the process.

The Law Offices of Prashanthi Reddy, PLLC, possesses extensive knowledge of the procedures and protocols involved in collaborating with various government agencies. Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for your case. With a steadfast commitment to providing personalized representation, our P Visa Attorney and lawyer will invest the time and resources needed to handle your case effectively. If you have any questions about P visas, we can help. Call us at (212) 354-1010 or online for a confidential, no-commitment consultation. With an office in New York, we provide immigration law services throughout New York, including Texas, New Jersey, and California.

FAQ

Obtaining a P visa can be a challenging and lengthy process despite its numerous advantages. The U.S. government has recently intensified its scrutiny of P visas, necessitating a strategic and well-supported approach to each application. To ensure compliance with all requirements and successfully navigate the P visa process, it is essential to seek guidance from an experienced immigration attorney. If you have inquiries or require additional details about the P visa, don’t hesitate to contact The Law Offices of Prashanthi Reddy, PLLC, to schedule a phone consultation with one of our P Visa lawyers.

The P visa, a non-immigrant visa category, is specifically designed for athletes and entertainers who wish to come to the United States to participate in culturally significant events or competitions. The duration of a P visa is determined by the length of time necessary to complete the specific athletic or cultural event, with a maximum validity of five years. This flexibility allows individuals to stay in the country for the duration of their event, ensuring they have ample time to showcase their talents and contribute to the cultural landscape.

In cases where the event extends beyond the initial visa period, individuals can request extensions in one-year increments. These extensions are granted if the event requires additional time for completion. It is important to note that the P visa is event-specific, meaning it is tied to a particular competition, performance, or engagement. Once the event is over, individuals must leave the country unless they have obtained another visa or legal status to remain in the United States. The ability to extend the P visa ensures that participants have the necessary time to fully immerse themselves in their athletic or cultural endeavors, fostering international collaboration and enriching the cultural exchange experience.

The P visa offers numerous benefits to employers and employees alike. Employers can leverage the P visa to recruit and hire skilled athletes, artists, and entertainers who can actively participate in athletic and cultural events within the United States. On the other hand, employees can seize the opportunity to showcase their expertise and compete or perform in their respective fields on American soil. Additionally, the P visa holds the potential to pave the way for permanent residency.

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