Boston P Visa Lawyer

A P visa is a non-immigrant permit issued to athletes, artists, entertainers, and entertainment groups who are coming to the United States temporarily to perform in their field. Contact an employment immigration attorney to learn more and see if you may be eligible. Our Boston P visa lawyers could help you through the application process and handle any legal difficulties that you may face.

What are the Different P Visa Classifications?

The P-1 visa is issued to an individual athlete or a team of athletes and members of an entertainment group who are recognized internationally. There is a cap on the number of these permits issued each year, which is currently set at 25,000 visas. P-1 visa holders include soccer team, tennis players, hockey players, music bands, performers, circus groups, and trainers.

The P-2 visa is issued to an artist or entertainer, operating as individuals or as a group, performing under a reciprocal exchange program. The reciprocal exchange program must be between an organization in the United States and an organization in another country. You will need to have comparable skills to U.S. artists and entertainers who take part in the program outside of the U.S.

The P-3 visa is issued to an artist or entertainer performing under a culturally unique program. These visas are normally issued to entertainers and artists who have been internationally recognized for excellence in development, interpretation, representation, teaching, coaching, and traditional artistic performance or presentation. You will need to be coming to the U.S. to participate in a cultural event that furthers the development or understanding of your art. The cultural event can be for commercial or non-commercial purposes. A P-3 visa may be issued to someone who is self-employed. A lawyer in Boston could determine which P visa classification best fits your situation.

It is possible for your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 to come with you to the U.S. while you are on your P visa status. They will need to apply for a P-4 visa. Your dependents are not eligible to work in the U.S. but can attend school. Their permit will terminate when your P visa status ends.

What are the Eligibility Requirements for a P Visa?

The requirements for eligibility for a P visa include the following:

• Be an internationally recognized performer or group
• Be coming to the U.S. for a specific event related to your art form
• Have a U.S. employer or agent sponsoring the event and entire U.S. itinerary

For athletes, there are additional eligibility requirements. You will need to provide proof of at least two of the following:

• Participation in a major U.S. sports league
• Participation with a national team in an international event
• Participation in a U.S. college competition
• A written document from a U.S. sports league media official or expert justifying your athletic recognition
• Evidence on the international rank of you or your team
• Significant awards and accolades in the sport

For an entertainer or entertainment group, there are also additional requirements. For example, three quarters of the group members must have been performing regularly for at least one year. In addition, proof of at least three of the following must be submitted:

• The group will be a star attraction at a U.S. event
• The event to be performed in is of significant repute
• Box office receipts or ratings that show the group’s success
• Proof that the group commands a high salary
• A written document from a media official justifying the group’s recognition
• Significant awards and accolades in the specified area of entertainment

A Boston attorney could make sure an applicant meets all of the requirements for a P visa,

Duration of a P Visa

The P visa is normally granted for the length of time that is required to complete the particular event listed on your application. The maximum length of stay on a P visa is one year, with the exception that an athlete holding a P-1 visa may be allowed to stay up to five years with a possible extension of five additional years. Extensions are sometimes granted to a team or group for one year, as well. A lawyer in Boston could help you file an extension for your P visa if necessary.

Can Assistants or Other Personnel Accompany Visa Holders?

It is possible for essential supporting personnel to be allowed to accompany you the U.S. while you are on your P visa status. They must prove that they are integral to your performance and that they will be performing support services that are not easily performed by a U.S. worker. Examples of support personnel include coaches, trainers, officials, referees, scouts, technicians, technical operators, stagehands, and office personnel.

Common Problems with a P Visa Petition

You have the burden of proof to show that your achievements and position qualifies for a P visa. It can sometimes be difficult to prove that you have the required international recognition. Many times, USCIS will respond to your petition with a Request for Evidence, requiring you to explain parts of your petition in more detail or provide additional documentation. These requests must be adequately responded to in a timely manner or your petition will be denied.

In addition, you must meet certain health-related and criminal and security-related grounds in order to qualify for a P visa. For example, you must provide documentation of vaccinations and must not have a communicable disease. Also, you cannot possess multiple criminal convictions, have been found guilty of money laundering or trafficking substances, or have any connections to terrorist activities. You will also need to possess the required clearance from any labor organizations overseeing your art form. A lawyer in Boston could help with any legal challenges that arise during the P visa application process.

Call a Boston P Visa Attorney

If you are filing a P visa petition, we can help. You may even be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, which would allow you to travel to the U.S. without obtaining a permit. At the Goldstein Immigration Lawyers, our attorneys are highly experienced and have successfully prepared and obtained approval for numerous of these petitions. Our Boston P visa lawyers could guide you through this complex immigration process and help find and resolve any issues that may only be apparent to an experienced legal professional. Call us today to learn more about the P visa and how our team could help you.