P Class Visas (P-1, P-3)

The P categories, P-1, and P-3, are reserved for those aliens who will be coming to the US to perform in athletics or entertainment, and who do not meet the extraordinary ability standard required for classification in the O category.

P-1 Visas Athletes

For an athletic team to petition for a foreign athlete, the team must have achieved international recognition in the sport. An athlete who will come to the US to compete in individual events rather than as a team must show that he or she is internationally recognized.

The INS has defined "international recognition" as a "having a high level of achievement in a field evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition substantially above that ordinarily encountered, to the extent that such achievement is renowned, leading, or well-known in more than one country."
The event the athlete is coming to the US to participate in must have a distinguished reputation and must require the participation of athletes and teams of international recognition.

Entertainers For an entertainer to obtain a P-1 visa, they must be part of an entertainment group. Individuals cannot usually obtain a P-1 visa unless they are coming to the US to join a foreign entertainment group. The group must be internationally recognized as outstanding and have a sustained period of achievement. Also, the individual members must have a substantial relationship to the group, generally satisfied by at least one year of membership. The group must have been together for at least one year, and at least three-fourths of the members must have been in the group for at least a year.

P-3 Visas

P-3 visas are granted to artists and entertainers who come to the US to participate in performances that are culturally unique.

Examples of culturally unique entertainers: Musicians performing ethnic music from any country coming to give representations to the United States. Arabic Music, Tango from Argentina, Iranian, Israeli music and all other types of Folkloric representations.

The following evidence must be submitted with a P-3 application: Essential support personnel are also given P-3 visas.