P-1A P-1A Athlete

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	P-1A Athlete
Purpose	Specific athletic competition or performance
Eligibility timing	Temporary entry for specific events
Initial stay	Individual: five years; group: one
Extensions	Individual: up to five years
Maximum stay	Individual athletes: 10 years
Cost	I-129 fee; amount not stated
Work rights	Event-related approved employment
Study	Not stated in the source
Medicare	Not stated in the source
Travel facility	Not stated in the source
Citizenship	Not stated in the source
Family sponsorship	Spouse and unmarried children under 21
Visa record	Nonimmigrant P-1A classification
Petitioner	U.S. employer, agent, or sponsor
Support personnel	May qualify for P-1S

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Purpose

The P-1A classification is for athletes coming temporarily to the United States solely to perform at a specific athletic competition, event, production, or tour.

It may apply to:

• Internationally recognized individual athletes;
• Internationally recognized athletic teams;
• Professional athletes;
• Amateur athletes or coaches on qualifying teams or franchises; and
• Professional or amateur theatrical ice skaters.

Eligibility

Internationally recognized athletes or teams

Individual athletes must participate in a specific competition in a sport where they are internationally recognized. Their achievement must be renowned, leading, or well-known in more than one country.

Athletic teams must have achieved international recognition as a unit. The competition must have a distinguished reputation and require internationally recognized participants.

Professional athletes

The athlete must be employed by either:

• A U.S. team in an association of at least six professional teams with combined annual revenues exceeding $10 million; or
• A minor league team affiliated with such an association.

The association must govern its members and regulate their contests and exhibitions.

Amateur athletes or coaches

The athlete or coach must join a U.S.-located team or franchise that belongs to a qualifying foreign league or association. The foreign league must:

• Have at least 15 amateur teams;
• Make players ineligible for certain NCAA scholarships or participation;
• Be the highest amateur level in the relevant foreign country; and
• Have significant numbers drafted by major or minor leagues.

Theatrical ice skaters

The athlete must perform individually or as part of a group in a specific theatrical ice skating production or tour.

Application Process

A U.S. employer, agent, or sponsor must file:

• Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker;
• The required filing fee; and
• Supporting evidence.

The petitioner must also file Form I-129 to request an extension of stay or change to P-1A status.

An agent filing for work with multiple employers must show authorization to act for all employers.

After USCIS approves Form I-129, the athlete may apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Required Evidence

The petitioner must submit:

• A written consultation from an appropriate labor organization, unless none exists;
• Written contracts or summaries of oral employment agreements;
• An explanation of the events or activities;
• Beginning and ending dates; and
• An itinerary, if applicable.

The labor consultation must describe the proposed U.S. work and the athlete’s qualifications.

Internationally recognized individuals or teams

Submit a tendered contract with a major U.S. sports league or team, or an appropriate individual-sport contract where normally used. Also submit at least two of the following:

• Significant prior participation in a major U.S. sports league;
• International competition with a national team;
• Significant U.S. collegiate intercollegiate competition;
• Governing-body statement confirming international recognition;
• Sports-media or expert statement confirming recognition;
• International ranking evidence; or
• Significant honor or award evidence.

Professional athletes

Submit evidence showing:

• Employment by a qualifying U.S. professional or affiliated minor league team;
• Association combined annual revenues exceeding $10 million; and
• The association regulates members’ conduct, contests, and exhibitions.

Examples include league membership records, contracts, financial documents, league rules, media reports, and statements from league officials.

Amateur athletes or coaches

Submit evidence that the athlete or coach will perform for a qualifying U.S.-located team or franchise belonging to a qualifying foreign league or association.

Examples include sports-media reports, contracts, league rules, bylaws, and league documentation.

Theatrical ice skaters

Submit evidence of the theatrical production or tour, such as:

• Reviews, critiques, or performance descriptions;
• Performance itineraries or schedules; and
• Evidence of past accomplishments and awards.

Stay and Extensions

Category	Initial stay	Extension
Individual athlete	Event period, up to five years	Up to five years
Individual athlete maximum	—	Total stay limited to 10 years
Athletic group	Event period, up to one year	Up to one year
Essential support personnel	Event period, as applicable	Matching permitted increments

Extensions must be needed to continue or complete the event, competition, activity, or performance.

Family Members

A spouse and unmarried children under 21 may obtain P-4 status.

P-4 family members:

• Cannot work in the United States; and
• May attend school or college.

Family members already in the United States may collectively request P-4 change of status or extension using Form I-539, Application to Change/Extend Nonimmigrant Status, with the required fee.

Essential Support Personnel

Essential support personnel may qualify for P-1S classification if they are integral to the P-1 athlete’s performance and their services cannot readily be performed by a U.S. worker.

Examples include:

• Coaches;
• Scouts;
• Trainers;
• Broadcasters;
• Referees;
• Linesmen;
• Umpires; and
• Interpreters.

The petitioner must file a separate Form I-129 for each essential support person. Required evidence includes:

• A labor organization consultation;
• A statement describing essentiality, critical skills, and experience with the athlete or team, unless working in a Major League Sport; and
• A written contract or oral-agreement summary.

Change of Employer

Professional athletes traded to a new organization

Employment authorization automatically continues for 30 days after the new organization acquires the athlete.

The new organization must file a new Form I-129 within 30 days. If filed on time, employment may continue while USCIS adjudicates the petition.

Warning: Employment authorization ends if no petition is filed within 30 days or if the new petition is denied.

All other employer changes

The new employer, agent, or sponsor must file a new Form I-129 and request permission to employ the athlete and extend stay.

Warning: The athlete may not begin work for the new employer until USCIS approves the new petition.