The Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel, Inc. can help group entertainers, artists, and athletes apply for P-1, P-2, and P-3 visas. Our lawyers minimize the risk of delays and increase the chances of visa issuance.
Book a consultation today to start your application.
The P visa is issued to foreign national artists, entertainers, and athletes who enter the U.S. to perform, coach, or compete. This short-term work visa allows these professionals and their essential personnel to stay in the U.S. for a season, tour, or event.
The P visa umbrella includes the P-1, P-2, and P-3 visa classifications. Group entertainers and athletes obtain the P-1 visa classification. P-2 and P-3 visas are available to those part of a reciprocal exchange program and culturally unique programs, respectively.
The P-1 visa is not available to individual entertainers — only to entertainment groups with an international reputation.
In addition, the P visa is a non-immigrant visa, which means the visa holder is only allowed to work in the U.S. for a specific period. If you intend to work in the U.S. permanently or indefinitely, please speak with our lawyers to identify the right visa for you.
The P-1 visa is available to foreign national athletes, athletic teams, and entertainment groups who will enter the U.S. for a specific performance, competition, or event.
The P-1A visa is issued to athletes who will join a specific athletic competition. It is also available to professional or amateur athletes entering the U.S. only to join a specific theatrical ice skating tour or production.
The P-1A visa applies to:
The spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old may apply for a visa (P-4).
The P-1B visa classification is issued to entertainment groups entering the U.S. to join an event or performance. This also includes their essential support personnel.
The entertainment group must be established for at least a year before entering the U.S. Additionally, the entertainment group must be internationally recognized with a high level of achievement.
The P-2 visa classification is for artists and entertainers, either individual or part of a group, who enter the U.S. for a reciprocal exchange program. Their essential support personnel also apply for a P-2 visa.
The said program must be government-recognized and involve an organization in another country and an organization in the U.S. Currently, there are five (5) reciprocal exchange programs that fall under the P-2 visa.
If you are part of a reciprocal agreement other than these five programs, the USCIS then reviews that agreement to see if it complies with regulatory standards.
The spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old of P-2 visa holders may apply for P-4 to accompany them to the U.S.
The P-3 visa is issued to entertainers or artists who will perform or coach other artists and entertainers in a program that is considered culturally unique. The said program may be commercial or non-commercial.
Culturally unique programs are those that aim to develop, interpret, or teach unique or traditional performances. These may be under ethnic, folk, musical, or theatrical art forms.
As with the P-2 visa, spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old may apply for P-4 visas.
If you have any clarifications or questions about your P visa application, get in touch with us today. Our attorneys will explore legal solutions for your visa application.
Our goal is to make your visa application efficient and avoid delays as much as possible. Because we have helped obtain P visas for many athletes, group entertainers, and athletes over many years, our team of lawyers and paralegals are knowledgeable about the complex process and can provide the best possible strategies to improve chances of an approval.
Our firm has earned a reputation for taking on cases that other firms have refused because they believed the case is too difficult or that the timeline seems impossible. While we cannot guarantee approvals, with our U.S. immigration expertise and dedication, our legal team had helped increase chances of success for the many so-called “hopeless” or “difficult” cases.
To ensure that we have the sufficient time to go over the details of your case, all consultations at The Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel, Inc. are by appointment only.
Before your appointment, download and complete the Initial Intake Questionnaire and send it back to us. Email the form to consult@gurfinkel.com or fax it to 1-818-630-4997 prior to your schedule.