Entertainer Visas
Supporting the application for and approval of USA Entertainer and Artist visas O and P
In general, An O Visa is available for those individuals who demonstrate extraordinary ability in the fields of sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, film, or television. Applicants for O visas must show that they have national or international acclaim or that they have received internationally recognized awards.
A P visa is available for athletes, entertainers, entertainment groups, and culturally unique artists. For athletes applying for a P visa, it must be demonstrated that the individual has a level of skill substantially above the ordinary ability for athletes. Entertainers must be internationally recognized.
O Visa
O-1 visas are available to people who have a job offer in the U.S. and have proven extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics: the person must have received national or international acclaim in a particular field, or, if working in motion pictures or television productions, have a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement.
O-1 visas can be given only on the basis of a person’s individual qualifications. Being a member of a group or team will not, by itself, qualify someone for an O-1 visa.
In addition, the person must be coming to the U.S. work or perform at an event or a series of events in the area of extraordinary ability. The term “event” is interpreted liberally outside the fields of athletics and arts and can include, for example, an ongoing research project for a private company.
FOr Artists, Entertainiers and Athletes, OBtaininG an O visa
- An O visa includes individuals in a wide range of fields, while a P visa is only for athletes and entertainers.
- Individuals with an O visa are not required to maintain a residence in another country, while a P visa holder must have a residence abroad with an intent to return to that residence
- A worker with an O visa can stay in the United States longer than a P visa holder
- An O visa is a dual intent visa, just like a P visa, which means that the person can work in the United States with the intention of obtaining a green card.
- A spouse or child of an O visa holder can get their own visa, same as with a P visa
O Visa For People in Science, Education, and business
To meet the O-1 visa standards, the applicant must be able to show extraordinary ability and receipt of sustained national or international acclaim for it. This can be demonstrated if the person has gotten a major internationally recognized award, such as an Olympic medal or a Pulitzer Prize, or has accomplished at least three of the following:
- received a nationally recognized prize or award for excellence
- attained membership in associations that require outstanding achievements of their members in a particular field of expertise, as judged by recognized national or international experts
- been the subject of published material in professional or major trade publications or major media (regarding you and your work)
- participated, on a panel or individually, as a judge of the work of others in your field
- made an original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contribution of major significance to the field
- authored scholarly articles in professional journals or major media
- been previously employed in a critical or essential capacity for an organization with a distinguished reputation, or
- command or have commanded a high salary or other outstanding remuneration for your services.
P Visa
A P visa is available for athletes, entertainers, entertainment groups, and culturally unique artists. For athletes applying for a P visa, it must be demonstrated that the individual has a level of skill substantially above the ordinary ability for athletes. Entertainers must be internationally recognized.
There are three categories:
P-1 visa for athletes and entertainers
- Internationally Recognized Individual Athletes
- Internationally recognized Athletic Teams
- Professional Athletes
- Amateur Athletes or Coaches
- Theatrical Ice Skaters
- Member of an Internationally Recognized Entertainment Group
P-2 visa for artists and entertainers in exchange programs
P-3 visa for cultural unique artists and entertainers
FOR ARTISTS, ENTERTAINIERS AND ATHLETES, OBTAINING A P VISA
- The eligibility standards for a P visa are lower than those for an O visa.
- To obtain a P visa, it must be demonstrated that you have international recognition on only one occasion
- Both individuals and groups can be admitted to the United States under a P visa, while only an individual can obtain an O visa.
- Under a P visa, a nonimmigrant can enter as part of a reciprocal exchange program between a United States organization and a foreign program that allows for the exchange of artists and entertainers.
Consultation
- InterArtists will help you decide the best visa for your situation
- We will handle the application process and work with you to obtain the proper supporting documentation
Do You Have Any Questions? Read Our FAQs Section
An immigrant visa is for people who wish to live permanently in the United States, while a nonimmigrant visa is for people who wish to come to the United States temporarily for a specific purpose.
Immigrant visas are issued to those who wish to immigrate to the United States, such as family members of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents, as well as those who have been sponsored by an employer. Once an immigrant visa is issued, the holder can enter the United States and apply for a green card (lawful permanent residence). Once they receive the green card they can live and work in the US permanently.
Nonimmigrant visas, on the other hand, are issued to people who wish to come to the United States temporarily for a specific purpose, such as tourism, business, study, or work. These visas have a specific expiration date and the holder must leave the country before the visa expires. Nonimmigrant visas are usually issued for a specific period of time and are tied to a specific purpose, like the B-1/B-2 (tourist/business) visa, F-1 (student) visa, and H-1B (specialty occupation) visa
An employment-based visa is a type of nonimmigrant or immigrant visa that allows foreign workers to enter the United States to work in a specific job or occupation. These visas are sponsored by U.S. employers and are based on the employer’s need for the worker’s skills and qualifications.
There are several types of employment-based visas available, including:
H-1B Visa: This is a nonimmigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, such as engineers, scientists, and computer programmers.
L-1 Visa: This is a nonimmigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to transfer employees from a foreign office to a U.S. office in a similar position.
E-1/E-2 Treaty Trader and Investor Visas: These are nonimmigrant visas for citizens of certain countries who are coming to the United States to engage in substantial trade or to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which they have invested a substantial amount of capital.
EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 Visas: These are immigrant visas for foreign workers with exceptional abilities, advanced degrees, and/or special skills. EB-1 is for priority workers, EB-2 is for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities, and EB-3 is for skilled workers and professionals.
EB-5 Visa: This is an immigrant visa that allows foreign investors to invest in a new commercial enterprise in the United States and create or preserve at least 10 jobs for U.S. workers.
A family-based visa is a type of immigration visa that allows U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents (LPRs) to sponsor certain family members for immigration to the United States. This process is also known as “family-based immigration” or “family sponsorship.”
There are two main categories of family-based visas: immediate relatives and family preference.
Immediate relatives are the spouse, children (unmarried and under 21 years of age), and parents of a U.S. citizen. There is no annual limit on the number of visas that can be issued to immediate relatives, so they can generally get their visa soon after they apply.
Family preference, on the other hand, includes other relatives such as unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens, married children of U.S. citizens, and siblings of U.S. citizens. There are annual limits on the number of visas that can be issued for family preference categories, and the wait time for a visa can be much longer.
The process for family-based visa begins with the U.S. citizen or LPR sponsor filing a petition on behalf of the family member. Once the petition is approved, the family member will go through a process that includes interviews, background checks, and medical exams. After the process is completed, the family member will be issued a visa and will be able to enter the United States.
The O visa and P visa are both nonimmigrant visas that allow foreign nationals to enter the United States temporarily for a specific purpose.
An O visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. This includes individuals who have demonstrated a high level of achievement in their field and whose presence in the United States would significantly benefit the country. There are three subcategories of O visas: O-1A for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics; O-1B for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts; and O-2 for individuals who will accompany and assist an O-1 visa holder in the performance of their duties.
A P visa, on the other hand, is for athletes, artists and entertainers who are coming to the United States to perform in specific events or competitions. This includes individuals who are internationally recognized and have a high level of achievement in their field. There are four subcategories of P visas: P-1A for internationally recognized athletes; P-1B for members of an internationally recognized entertainment group; P-2 for artists or entertainers who will perform under a reciprocal exchange program; and P-3 for artists or entertainers who will perform in a culturally unique program.
Both the O and P visa have similar requirements, the main difference is that the O visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability and is not limited to a specific event or competition, while the P visa is for athletes, artists, and entertainers coming to the United States to perform in specific events or competitions.