Cómo pueden inmigrar a Estados Unidos los deportistas profesionales: Opciones de visado para campeones y competidores
Shirin Navabi • June 12, 2025
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Estados Unidos ha sido durante mucho tiempo un destino para los atletas con más talento del mundo, no sólo para competir al más alto nivel, sino también para acceder a un entrenamiento de primera clase, oportunidades de entrenamiento y perspectivas de carrera a largo plazo. Ya sea en el campo de juego, en el ring o en el tablero de ajedrez, deportistas de todo el mundo están encontrando vías de inmigración que les permiten perseguir sus objetivos deportivos y profesionales en Estados Unidos.
La ley de inmigración de los Estados Unidos ofrece varias opciones de visado y tarjeta de residencia diseñadas específicamente para personas con un talento atlético extraordinario. Entre ellas figuran el visado P-1A para deportistas reconocidos internacionalmente, el visado O-1A para personas con aptitudes extraordinarias y la petición de inmigrante EB-1A, que puede conducir a la residencia permanente y, en última instancia, a la ciudadanía estadounidense.
El visado P-1A
lo utilizan habitualmente los deportistas profesionales que vienen a Estados Unidos para competir en un evento o temporada concretos. Esto se aplica no sólo a los atletas individuales, sino también a los miembros de equipos o clubes reconocidos internacionalmente. Es muy utilizado por futbolistas, jugadores de baloncesto, luchadores de MMA, competidores de jiu-jitsu brasileño e incluso ajedrecistas de élite. Los deportistas deben demostrar un alto nivel de reconocimiento internacional y un historial de rendimiento en su deporte.
El visado O-1A
es una buena opción para los entrenadores que demuestren una capacidad extraordinaria, normalmente evidenciada por títulos de campeonatos, récords de victorias sostenidas o reconocimiento como parte integrante del éxito de su equipo. Para ello, el entrenador debe demostrar que sus conocimientos le sitúan entre el pequeño porcentaje de los mejores profesionales de su campo.
Para los deportistas que buscan un estatus permanente en Estados Unidos, la petición de inmigrante EB-1A
-a menudo denominada «tarjeta verde de habilidades extraordinarias»- ofrece una vía directa hacia la residencia permanente legal. Requiere documentación clara de que la persona se encuentra entre las mejores de su deporte y ha logrado un éxito nacional o internacional sostenido. A diferencia de otras categorías de permisos de residencia, el EB-1A no requiere el patrocinio del empleador y puede solicitarse por cuenta propia. Esto se ha convertido en una vía común para campeones mundiales de MMA, medallistas de cinturón negro de BJJ, atletas olímpicos y grandes maestros de ajedrez, muchos de los cuales representan ahora a Estados Unidos en los más altos niveles de la competición internacional.
Es importante tener en cuenta que la ley de inmigración estadounidense define el término «deportista» en sentido amplio. Ya sea usted futbolista profesional en Europa, velocista en el Caribe, judoka, gimnasta o gran maestro de ajedrez, sus logros pueden entrar en estas categorías si están debidamente documentados y presentados. La clave está en un historial constante de excelencia y reconocimiento en su deporte a escala nacional o internacional.
Nuestro despacho está especializado en este tipo de asuntos de inmigración. Si usted es un atleta individual que busca reubicarse o una organización que busca traer talento internacional a su lista, ofrecemos estrategias legales a medida para apoyar sus objetivos.
Si usted está explorando opciones para competir, entrenar, o construir su futuro en los Estados Unidos, estamos aquí para ayudarle a dar el siguiente paso.
Este blog no pretende ser una asesoría 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 aquí lea
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its final rule eliminating the longstanding "duration of status" (D/S) policy for F, J, and I visa holders, replacing it with a fixed period of admission effective September 15, 2026. This rule requires that those who need additional time to complete their programs must file Form I-539 with USCIS or travel abroad and seek to reenter to extend their authorized period of stay. F and J visa holders present in the U.S. and in valid status on September 15, 2026, will be allowed to remain in the United States until the Program End Date listed on their current Form I-20 (for F-1s) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1s), up to a maximum of four years (until September 15, 2030) plus a 60-day grace period for F-1s and a 30-day grace period for J-1s, without filing an Extension of Status request with USCIS. However, this safety net only applies while staying in the U.S.; international travel and subsequent reentry after September 15, 2026 will result in readmission under the new rule with an I-94 that expires on the Program End Date or Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expiration, but no later than four-years after their date of re-entry. Additionally, once re-admitted under the new rules, F-1s will only receive a 30-day grace period. Immediate Practice Tips: Any F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant currently in the U.S. who plans to change programs, start a new degree level, or needs more time to complete their studies must work with their school or program sponsor to update their SEVIS record and receive an extended Form I-20 or DS-2019 before September 15, 2026. Eligible F-1 students should submit their post-completion OPT or STEM OPT work authorization applications (Form I-765) before September 15, 2026, to secure their status and drastically reduce the likelihood of needing a Form I-539 extension application. Any F-1 student who is eligible to apply for OPT or STEM OPT before March 18, 2027, should do so as soon as they are eligible to file their Form I-765. Since F-1s can file OPT applications up to 90 days in advance of graduation, F-1 students graduating before June 15,2027, should be able to file their OPT applications before March 18, 2027, and should do so to avoid also having to file Form I-539 to extend their stay. Thus, most F-1 students graduating in December 2026 and May/June 2027 should be able to take advantage of the transition rule’s delay in having to file Form I-539 applications and should only need to file Form I-765 to apply for OPT. Incoming F-1 and J-1 students who can enter the United States before the September 15, 2026 effective date (within the permissible 30-day window prior to their program start) should do so to benefit from the transition rules, including the full 60-day F-1 grace period and deferred extension requirements. Students (F-1 and J-1) who are planning international travel should return before the effective date if possible to preserve their transition benefits. There are many parts of the rule that are not discussed here. If you are currently an F-1 or J-1 visa holder, you should proactively coordinate with your institutions and international office to protect your status and stay informed.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released updated policy guidance detailing how officers will evaluate "public charge" inadmissibility for individuals applying for green cards through adjustment of status. This update follows a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that rescinds the 2022 public charge regulations. The new policy takes effect on September 18, 2026 , and applies to all green card applications (Form I-485) postmarked or submitted on or after that date. Who Is Subject to the Public Charge Rule? Most family-based and employment-based green card applicants will be subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility. This includes spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, as well as most employment visa preference categories, investors, and diversity visa applicants. Certain categories remain explicitly exempt under immigration law. These include: Asylees and refugees Victims of human trafficking (T visa) or crime (U visa) Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners Special Immigrant Juveniles Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants Certain military-related applicants and other designated humanitarian groups How USCIS Will Make Determinations USCIS officers will evaluate whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge by reviewing the totality of their circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Key factors include: Five Statutory Factors: Age, health, family status, assets/financial resources, and education or skills. Affidavit of Support: Submission of Form I-864 executed by a sponsor. Use of Public Benefits: USCIS will look at means-tested public benefits, such as cash assistance for income maintenance, housing assistance, food stamps (SNAP), or college financial aid. Note on timing: For benefits received before September 18, 2026, USCIS will only consider public cash assistance for income maintenance and long-term institutionalization at government expense. For benefits received on or after September 18, 2026, the broader consideration of all listed means-tested benefits will apply. Public Charge Bonds If an officer determines that an applicant is inadmissible solely on public charge grounds, USCIS may issue a Notice of Intent to Deny that invites the applicant to post a public charge bond using Form I-945. If an invited applicant successfully posts the required cash or surety bond, USCIS may approve the application for permanent residence. Public charge bonds can only be submitted if explicitly invited by USCIS. Santos Lloyd Law Firm will continue to monitor immigration developments closely and provide updates as further implementation details are released. For more information, please access: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-guidance-on-making-public-charge-inadmissibility-determination
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering a regulatory proposal that would remove the discretionary 60-day grace period currently available to certain nonimmigrant visa holders (including H-1B, L-1, TN, E, and O-1) and their dependents. The draft rule is currently undergoing interagency review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and has not yet been formally published for public feedback. What This Means Right Now Nothing changes today. The 60-day grace period remains in effect while this rule goes through the approval process. Under current rules, if your job ends early, you have up to 60 days (or until your I-94 expires) to leave the U.S., find a new sponsor, or apply to change status. What Could Change If approved, foreign workers who lose their jobs would no longer get automatic time to find a new employer or change status from within the U.S. They would generally be required to leave the country immediately. Next Steps Once the OMB finishes its initial review, the proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register, opening a public comment period of 30 to 60 days. Based on feedback received during this time, DHS may decide to alter, withdraw, or proceed with the proposal. If the government decides to finalize the rule, the entire process will likely take several months before taking effect. Santos Lloyd Law Firm will continue to monitor developments closely and will share updates on our immigration blog and social media pages as more details emerge.
