¿Debo obtener una visa de atleta?
Eduardo Mattos • February 24, 2023
Click here to read this article in English
Una visa de atleta (P1-A)
le permite venir y permanecer en los Estados Unidos para participar en eventos deportivos. No necesariamente necesita una visa P1-A para competir en la mayoría de las circunstancias. Sin embargo, si se toma en serio su carrera y los Estados Unidos juega un papel importante en su deporte, definitivamente debería considerar obtener una visa P1-A. Dado que las visas B1 o B2 (las visas de negocios/turista) no permiten estadías de más de seis meses y pueden ser difíciles de renovar, lo que puede terminar causando más daño que bien para su carrera.
Supongamos que renuncia a su trabajo, entrena duro y viene a competir en un gran campeonato en los Estados Unidos. Le va bien en su competencia, conoce a mucha gente interesante y tiene la oportunidad de quedarse en el país entrenando con atletas y entrenadores de alto nivel en una instalación de alto nivel. Se sientes como si estuviera en los Estados Unidos. Puede hacer esto con un B1/B2, pero solo por seis meses. Puede intentar extender su estadía, lo cual es posible y factible, pero muchas veces se le niega, y tendrá que abandonar el país o perder el estatus sin muchas esperanzas para su futuro en los EE. UU.
Otra forma de hacerlo es solicitar el estatus de estudiante (F1). ¡Estudiar siempre es bueno! Sin embargo, la mayoría de los atletas que conozco no quieren tener nada que ver con eso y prefieren enfocar su dinero, tiempo y energía en perfeccionar su oficio. No quieren pagar las clases y se comprometerse a pasar una buena parte de su tiempo dentro de un salón de clases fingiendo que es de su interés. Además, su visa será cancelada si no asiste a sus clases.
Con un P1-A, no tiene que preocuparse por pasar por el dolor de cabeza y la ansiedad de probar suerte con la USCIS cada seis meses para renovar su B1/B2. Simplemente no vale la pena. Además, no tiene que pagar la escuela y puede usar su dinero y tiempo trabajando para ser un campeón.
Entonces, ¿cómo alguien obtiene una visa P1-A?
Primero, obviamente, debes ser un atleta, alguien que dedica la mayor parte de su tiempo a entrenar, prepararse y presentarse a las competencias. No tienes que ser patrocinado o el mejor, pero debes competir activamente e idealmente ser parte de un rango. Las competiciones en las que participe deben ser relevantes para su deporte y deben participar atletas de diferentes nacionalidades.
Además, debe demostrar algún nivel de logro y reconocimiento en su deporte. No tiene que ser un campeón mundial, pero no puedes obtener una visa de atleta para tu primera o segunda competencia. Los buenos resultados y actuaciones anteriores son importantes, especialmente cuando se combinan con el reconocimiento de los medios y de los compañeros. Entonces, si aparece en Internet, en artículos o revistas, eso es extremadamente útil para su caso.
Ahora que lo sabe mejor, puede decidir por sí mismo qué es lo mejor para usted. Simplemente nunca se vuelvas ilegal, ¿de acuerdo? Al tío Sam no le gusta eso.
Si tiene alguna consulta sobre lo que significa para usted tener una visa de atleta, programe una consulta con uno de nuestros abogados con experiencia en el asunto.
Esperamos con interés trabajar con usted.
Este blog no pretende constituir 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 tomar acción basándose en cualquier información que lea aquí.
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