P-1 Visa for athletes, artists, and entertainment groups
The P-1 visa allows professional athletes, individual artists, and entertainment groups who can demonstrate international recognition in their industry to work legally in the United States.
It is ideal for high-performance athletes, teams, musicians, bands, performers, dancers, stage artists, and talents with a proven track record at the national or international level.
What is the P-1 category
The P-1 visa is a nonimmigrant category that allows athletes and artists to enter the U.S. to participate in sports competitions, performances, tours, events, or professional activities supported by evidence of recognition.
There are two main subcategories:
P-1A: internationally recognized individual athletes or teams.
P-1B: entertainment groups with sustained recognition.
Unlike other visas, the P-1 visa requires a sponsor or a company/agent to represent the talent in the U.S., as well as detailed evidence of achievements and track record.
How to obtain a P-1 visa to compete, perform, or work in the U.S.
To apply for the P-1 you must demonstrate:
-> Verifiable international recognition as an athlete or artistic group.
-> Professional currency, showing that your work remains active.
-> Contracts, invitations, or a confirmed schedule of activities in the U.S.
-> A sponsor or agent to file the petition.
At LOIGICA we guide you through the entire process: evidence gathering, contracts, itineraries, expert declarations, legal narrative, and complete filing with USCIS.
- Allows you to work legally in the United States in your sports or artistic discipline.
- Ideal for tours, tournaments, competitions, productions, concerts, or residencies.
- Possibility of including coaches, choreographers, or essential personnel under the P-1S visa.
- Family eligible for P-4 (can study).
- Extended duration depending on event or season (and renewable).
- Recognized and frequently approved for high-level athletes and artists.
- Allows multiple entries and exits during the visa validity period.
To apply for a P-1 visa you must demonstrate:
- Consistent international recognition (achievements, rankings, awards, nominations).
- Evidence of an active track record: contracts, press, videos, tours, metrics.
- Letter from a sports organization, league, union, or relevant industry body (if applicable).
- Contract or agreement with a sponsor/agent in the U.S.
- Detailed schedule of performances, tournaments, or events.
- Evidence of the team or group prestige (for P-1B).
- Documentation organized and aligned with USCIS criteria for the P-1 category.
- Eligibility evaluation according to P-1A (athletes) or P-1B (groups) standards.
- Evidence curation: rankings, awards, press, contracts, track record.
- Preparation of support letters from federations, leagues, or artistic entities.
- Structuring the complete itinerary of activities in the U.S.
- Assembling the sponsor contract/agent for the P-1 petition.
- Formal case filing with USCIS.
- Support for P-1S visas (essential personnel) and P-4 (family).
- Advice on renewals, extensions, and future immigration strategies.
Boost your international career with your P-1 visa
Frequently asked questions about the P-1 visa
Professional athletes, teams, musical groups, bands, dancers, artistic companies, performers, and talents with verifiable international recognition.
Yes. The P-1 requires an authorized sponsor or agent who will file your petition.
Press coverage, rankings, awards, nominations, contracts, sales, tickets, official videos, audience metrics, participation in renowned events, expert letters, among others.
Between 2 and 4 months on average. USCIS offers premium processing with an initial response within 15 days.
Yes. Essential personnel can apply under the P-1S visa.
Yes. Spouse and children under 21 years of age can obtain a P-4 visa.
Not directly, but it can open doors to categories such as EB-1A or EB-2 NIW depending on your track record.