Are you an internationally recognized Athlete?
April Perez • August 4, 2022
Click here to read this article in Spanish and Portuguese
The
P-1A classification applies to individuals coming temporarily to the United States solely for the purpose of performing at a specific athletic competition as:
- An individual athlete at an internationally recognized level of performance;
- Part of a group or team at an internationally recognized level of performance;
- A professional athlete; or
- An athlete or coach, as part of a team or franchise that is located in the United States and a member of a foreign league or association.
An applicant for the P1A visa must be able to meet at least
two of the following criteria and possible types of evidence is listed under each requirement.
1.
Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season with a major United States sports league.
This could possibly be contracts or a letter.
2.
Evidence of having participated in international competition with a national team.
This could be a contract with the team, a certificate from the competition issued to the applicant, articles about the competition and the team, and photos of the competition and applicant with the national team.
3. Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season for a U.S. college or university in intercollegiate competition.
This could possibly be contracts or a letter.
4.
A written statement from an official of the governing body of the sport which details how the athlete or team is internationally recognized.
A written statement from an official.
5.
A written statement from a member of the sports media or a recognized expert in the sport which details how the athlete or team is internationally recognized.
These can be articles discussing the applicant and their success and competition in the sport. Also, if there are not enough articles it may be helpful to include letters from other experts in the field (usually other accomplished competitors in the sport). The letters should discuss the letter writers background, how and when they met the applicant and discuss the applicant's significant accomplishments.
6.
Evidence that the athlete or team is ranked, if the sport has international rankings.
Depending on the sport rankings may or may not apply. Jiu Jitsu Fighters can obtain ranking from the IBJJF website (International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation) or other major Jiu Jitsu organization websites. Mixed Martial Arts Fighter (MMA) Fighters can show ranking in notable organizations such as UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) that can also be used.
7.
Evidence that the athlete or team has received a significant honor or award in the sport.
This can be certificates, an awards list, articles about the award or honor discussing its significance. MMA fighters’ can provide their win/loss record and rank profile with their fight record and include information on major fights or champion title fights that you won. You can also include articles about wins, certificates, and photos. For jiu-jitsu fighters you can use printouts from the IBJJF website showing the applicant's wins, and printouts from other major jiu-jitsu organization competitions they won. You can also provide articles about the significance of the jiu-jitsu competitions won by the applicant.
In addition, the applicant must show that the competition or competitions that the athlete will compete in have a distinguished reputation and are at an internationally recognized level of performance that requires the participation of an internationally recognized athlete.
Possible evidence for this can be:
- The level of viewership, attendance, revenue, and major media coverage of the events.
- The extent of past participation by internationally recognized athletes or teams.
- The international ranking of athletes competing.
- Documented merits requirements for participants.
- Articles and background printouts about the future competitions.
If you believe you may qualify, you should contact our office.
Este blog no pretende ser un consejo legal y nada aquí debe interpretarse como el establecimiento de una relación abogado-cliente. Programe una consulta con un abogado de inmigración antes de actuar sobre cualquier información que lea aquí.
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