US P Visa Application Tips for Artists and Athletes
The US P visa is a type of non-immigrant visa that allows internationally recognized athletes, artists, and performing groups to work temporarily in the United States.
The P visa category, designed by the US government to support diversity in the arts, sports, performance and culture sectors, is provided under the non-immigrant US work visa .
What are the US P Visa Types?
The United States grants the following types of visas to foreign nationals: artists, athletes, and performing artists.
- America P1 visa
- America P2 visa
- America P3 visa
America P1 Visa
The US P1 visa is a type of visa granted to perform in a specific athletic competition as an athlete or member of an entertainment group. The US P1 visa requires an internationally recognized level of sustained performance and is also granted to individuals who provide essential services to performers.
The US P1 visa category is divided into the following subtypes.
- United States P-1A visa: Issued to internationally recognized athletes or athletic teams.
- United States P-1B visa: Issued to individuals or members of an internationally recognized entertainment group.
America P2 Visa
The US P2 visa is issued to performing artists and those who provide services to support these individuals in a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the United States and another country.
America P3 Visa
The US P3 visa is for individuals who perform, teach or coach, or provide services to individuals within a culturally unique or ethnic, cultural, musical, theatrical or artistic program.
How to Get a US P Visa for Artists and Athletes?
The US P visa application process must be initiated by submitting an application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) through an employer or representative in the US. The employer or representative must submit an application to USCIS with the US I-129 form and documentation demonstrating that the applicant meets the required visa requirements. After receiving the USCIS’ approval for the US P visa as a nonimmigrant worker, the sponsor will send you the original form.
After receiving the I-129 form from the United States, go to ceac.state.gov and fill out the nonimmigrant visa application form (DS-160) online. In the travel information section of the DS-160 form, make the appropriate selections according to the “Internationally Recognised Alien-P” and the requested visa subtype. In the Application Receipt/ Petition Number field, enter the 13-digit receipt number written on the I-129 form. In the last step of the online form, upload your digital biometric photo to the application system and then print the barcoded DS-160 approval page.
After completing the DS-160 form, pay the visa application fee at usvisa-info.com and make an interview appointment at the US foreign mission. On the appointment date, submit the prepared application documents to the US foreign mission visa unit, provide digital fingerprint registration and attend the visa interview. At the end of the interview, you will be informed whether your US P visa application has been approved or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions frequently asked to our consultants regarding US artist and athlete visas are answered below.
What are the Required Documents for the US P Visa?
For the US P visa, you must submit the original US I-129 form obtained from USCIS along with standard documents. For the US P visa, you must also prove that you will return to your country after the visa expires and that you are financially sufficient by submitting additional documents.
You can view the complete and detailed list of documents required for the P visa by making the relevant selections on the Documents Required for the US Visa page.
How Much Is the US P Visa Application Fee?
As of 2024, the fee you must pay for US P visa applications is $225. You must pay the application fee before making your visa appointment at usvisa-info.com.
This amount increases if you receive courier service and consultancy services for passport delivery during your visa application.
How Long Does a US Temporary Work Visa Last for Athletes and Artists?
A temporary US work visa is granted to individual athletes for the duration required to complete an event, competition or performance in the US and for a maximum of 5 years. Individual athletes with a P1A visa have the right to extend their visa for an additional 5 years.
A temporary work visa is granted to athletes, performance group members and individual artists who travel to the United States as a team for a period of up to 1 year, with the right to extend it for up to 1 year to complete the event, competition or performance in the United States.
What is the US P4 Visa?
The US P4 visa is a type of visa issued to family members of individuals who will travel to the United States with a P1, P2 or P3 visa. Family members who can apply for a P4 visa are considered spouses and children under the age of 21 of the visa holder. For the US P4 visa application, an I-129 form approval must be obtained from the US, as in the P (1,2,3) visa procedures.