Le gel des visas de 2026 : quels pays sont concernés et que doivent faire les demandeurs dès maintenant ?

Josephine Franz • May 22, 2026

 Click here to read this article in English


En l'espace d'environ cinq semaines, la politique américaine en matière de visas a évolué d'une manière qui touche près de 100 pays. Un décret présidentiel publié le 16 décembre 2025 a étendu une interdiction de voyager antérieure à 39 pays, avec effet au 1er janvier 2026. Deux semaines plus tard, le Département d'État a annoncé une suspension administrative distincte de la délivrance de visas d'immigrant pour les ressortissants de 75 pays, à compter du 21 janvier 2026. Ces deux politiques se recoupent sur certains points, divergent sur d'autres, et constituent ensemble l'une des restrictions les plus étendues en matière de délivrance de visas américains de mémoire récente.


Pour les demandeurs et les employeurs qui tentent de comprendre ces nouvelles, le point le plus important est le suivant : les règles diffèrent selon (a) le pays d'origine du demandeur, (b) la catégorie de visa qu'il sollicite, et (c) l'endroit où il se trouvait au 1er janvier 2026. Vous trouverez ci-dessous un guide pratique sur ce qui est en vigueur, ce qui reste disponible et les prochaines étapes à suivre.


Deux politiques distinctes, un titre prêtant à confusion


Ce que la presse a souvent appelé « le gel des visas » correspond en réalité à deux politiques distinctes, avec des fondements juridiques et des portées différents.


La proclamation présidentielle 10998 l'interdiction de voyager pour 39 pays. Signée le 16 décembre 2025 et entrée en vigueur le 1er janvier 2026, cette proclamation remplace et étend l’interdiction de voyager de juin 2025. Elle invoque les articles 212(f) et 215(a) de l’INA — la même base juridique que la Cour suprême a confirmée dans l’affaire Trump c. Hawaï (2018) — et divise les pays concernés en deux catégories.


La suspension des visas d'immigrant pour 75 pays par le Département d'État. Annoncée le 14 janvier 2026 et entrée en vigueur le 21 janvier 2026, il s'agit d'une politique interne du Département d'État, et non d'une proclamation présidentielle. Elle gèle la délivrance de visas d'immigrant pour les ressortissants de 75 pays, au motif déclaré de préoccupations liées à la charge publique. Elle a été contestée devant les tribunaux (CLINIC c. Département d’État des États-Unis, S.D.N.Y., déposée le 2 février 2026) pour des motifs incluant l’interdiction par l’INA de toute discrimination fondée sur la nationalité dans la délivrance des visas d’immigrant.


Comme ces politiques s’appliquent indépendamment l’une de l’autre, un demandeur originaire d’un pays figurant sur les deux listes est soumis à des restrictions qui se chevauchent, tandis qu’un demandeur originaire d’un pays figurant sur une seule liste est soumis à un ensemble de restrictions plus restreint.


Niveau 1 : Suspension totale en vertu de la proclamation 10998 (19 pays)


Les ressortissants de ces 19 pays sont soumis à une suspension totale de la délivrance des visas d'immigrant et de non-immigrant : Afghanistan, Birmanie, Burkina Faso, Tchad, République du Congo, Guinée équatoriale, Érythrée, Haïti, Iran, Laos, Libye, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, Somalie, Soudan du Sud, Soudan, Syrie et Yémen. La proclamation s'applique également aux personnes voyageant avec des documents délivrés ou visés par l'Autorité palestinienne.


Pour les demandeurs de cette catégorie, aucun visa de touriste, d'étudiant, de travail ou d'immigrant ne sera généralement délivré, sous réserve d'un nombre limité d'exceptions décrites ci-dessous.


Niveau 2 : Suspension partielle en vertu du décret 10998 (19 pays + Turkménistan)


Les ressortissants de ces 19 pays font l'objet d'une suspension partielle : Angola, Antigua-et-Barbuda, Bénin, Burundi, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominique, Gabon, Gambie, Malawi, Mauritanie, Nigeria, Sénégal, Tanzanie, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambie et Zimbabwe.


Pour ces pays, la proclamation suspend :


  • Tous les visas d'immigrant, et

  • Les visas de visiteur B-1/B-2, les visas d'étudiant F et M, et les visas d'échange J.

Il est essentiel de noter que les catégories de visas fondés sur l'emploi et autres visas de non-immigrant, y compris les visas H, L, O, P et R, restent accessibles aux ressortissants de ces pays, bien que les agents consulaires aient pour instruction de réduire la durée de validité de ces visas au minimum autorisé par la loi. Pour les nombreux clients de notre cabinet dans les domaines du divertissement, du sport et de l’immigration d’affaires, cette distinction fait souvent la différence entre une carrière en suspens et un projet viable.


Le Turkménistan occupe une position unique : en vertu de la proclamation de décembre, seule la délivrance de visas d’immigrant est suspendue ; les catégories de visas non-immigrants restent disponibles.


La suspension distincte du Département d’État (75 pays)


La politique du Département d’État du 21 janvier 2026 a suspendu la délivrance de visas d’immigrant uniquement pour les ressortissants de 75 pays. La liste est plus large que celle de la Proclamation 10998 et comprend notamment des pays comptant une importante clientèle pour notre cabinet, tels que le Brésil, la Colombie, l’Égypte, le Guatemala, le Liban, le Maroc, le Nicaragua, le Pakistan et bien d’autres.


Deux points pratiques sont essentiels :


  1. La suspension est limitée aux visas d'immigrant. Les visas de non-immigrant, notamment les visas B-1/B-2, F-1, J-1, H, L, O, P et R, ne sont pas concernés par cette politique. Un artiste brésilien sollicitant un visa O-1, un cadre colombien sollicitant un visa L-1 ou un professionnel libanais sollicitant un visa H-1B peuvent généralement continuer à déposer leur demande.

  2. Cette politique fait l'objet d'un recours devant les tribunaux. Les plaignants dans l'affaire CLINIC c. Département d'État font valoir que ce gel viole l'interdiction de discrimination fondée sur la nationalité prévue par l'article 1152 de l'INA (loi sur l'immigration et la nationalité) en matière de délivrance de visas d'immigrant, la loi sur la procédure administrative et le cinquième amendement. L'issue n'est pas prévisible, et les demandeurs ne devraient pas retarder leur planification stratégique en attendant une décision.

Qui est exempté ou n'est pas concerné


Plusieurs catégories de personnes ne sont pas concernées par la proclamation 10998, même si leur pays de nationalité figure sur la liste :


  • Les résidents permanents légaux des États-Unis. Les titulaires d'une carte verte peuvent continuer à voyager et à rentrer sur le territoire, bien que la réadmission puisse encore donner lieu à un contrôle secondaire plus approfondi.

  • Les personnes physiquement présentes aux États-Unis au 1er janvier 2026. La proclamation ne s'applique qu'aux personnes qui se trouvaient hors des États-Unis et ne disposaient pas d'un visa valide à la date d'entrée en vigueur.

  • Les titulaires de visas valides délivrés avant le 1er janvier 2026. Aucun visa délivré avant la date d'entrée en vigueur n'a été ou ne sera révoqué en vertu de la proclamation. Ces visas peuvent continuer à être utilisés pour voyager.

  • Les personnes ayant la double nationalité qui peuvent présenter une demande sur le passeport d'un pays non soumis à la suspension.

  • Les titulaires de visas A, G et OTAN, certains demandeurs de visa d'immigrant spécial, ainsi que les exceptions limitées pour raisons d'intérêt national, y compris pour des cas spécifiques liés à l'adoption.

Il convient de souligner que l'exemption de l'interdiction d'entrée n'équivaut pas à une exemption des suspensions de traitement associées de l'USCIS. Certains résidents permanents légaux originaires des pays concernés ont néanmoins subi des retards dans le traitement de leurs demandes de naturalisation (formulaire N-400) et de leurs demandes de regroupement familial (formulaire I-130) en vertu de directives administratives distinctes.


Ce que les demandeurs doivent faire dès maintenant


Compte tenu de la rapidité avec laquelle les règles évoluent et du caractère très spécifique des conséquences selon les cas, nous conseillons à nos clients de prendre les mesures suivantes :


  1. Identifiez la ou les listes qui s'appliquent à votre situation. Un ressortissant iranien ou syrien est confronté à une situation fondamentalement différente de celle d'un ressortissant brésilien ou colombien, même si les uns comme les autres ont pu entendre parler du « gel des visas » dans les médias.

  2. Tenez compte des catégories, et pas seulement des pays. Pour les pays de niveau 2 et les 75 pays concernés par la suspension, les catégories de visas non-immigrants liés à l'emploi restent une voie viable. Bon nombre des procédures O-1, P-1, H-1B, L-1 et EB-1A que notre cabinet traite régulièrement ne sont pas affectées par le gel des visas d'immigrant.

  3. Tenez compte de votre lieu de résidence physique. Les demandeurs se trouvant actuellement aux États-Unis disposent d’options de planification dont ne bénéficient pas nécessairement ceux qui se trouvent à l’étranger. Quitter le pays au mauvais moment peut transformer un simple désagrément en un problème qui durera des années.

  4. Ne partez pas du principe que les visas actuellement valides constituent une garantie d’admission. Bien que les visas valides ne soient pas révoqués, les contrôles aux points d’entrée ont été renforcés, et les décisions d’admission discrétionnaires sont en dernier ressort prises par les services des douanes et de la protection des frontières.

  5. Consultez un avocat avant tout voyage international si vous êtes originaire d’un pays concerné, si vous bénéficiez d’un statut conditionnel ou en attente, ou si vous avez des inquiétudes concernant vos antécédents en matière d’immigration.

Quand consulter un avocat


La combinaison de l’interdiction de voyager prévue par la Proclamation 10998, de la suspension des visas d’immigrant pour 75 pays, des litiges en cours et des suspensions supplémentaires imposées par l’USCIS sur certaines demandes de prestations a créé un contexte où la bonne réponse est rarement évidente à partir des seules informations relayées par les médias. Il est particulièrement important de consulter un avocat lorsque :

  • Votre pays figure sur l'une ou l'autre de ces listes et que vous avez une demande de visa en cours ou prévue.

  • Vous vous demandez si vous devez quitter les États-Unis pour un entretien consulaire.

  • Vous êtes un employeur ayant des employés étrangers et vous avez besoin de savoir quelles catégories restent viables.

  • Vous avez la double nationalité et vous vous demandez quel passeport utiliser.

  • Vous êtes titulaire d'un visa valide datant d'avant le 1er janvier 2026 et vous ne savez pas si vous devez voyager.

Au cabinet Santos Lloyd Law Firm, nous représentons des clients issus de tous les pays figurant sur les listes concernées, notamment un nombre important de personnes dans les domaines du divertissement, du sport, des affaires et de l'immigration familiale, et nous suivons de près à la fois les procédures judiciaires et l'évolution des directives du Département d'État. Si vous avez des questions sur la manière dont les restrictions actuelles s'appliquent à votre cas ou à votre entreprise, nos avocats sont à votre disposition pour vous aider à élaborer un plan.

Ce blog n'est pas destiné à fournir des conseils juridiques et rien ici ne doit être interprété comme établissant une relation avocat-client. Veuillez prendre rendez-vous avec un avocat spécialisé en droit de l'immigration avant d'agir sur la base de toute information lue ici.

Josephine Franz

DHS Drafts Proposal to Remove the 60-Day Grace Period for Select Nonimmigrant Visa Holders

By Kris Quadros-Ragar • August 20, 2026
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.

5 Tips for Making Your Immigration Law Case a Success

By Joseph Lennarz • July 17, 2026
Navigating the United States immigration system can be complicated and stressful, and maximizing your chances of a successful outcome can have a huge positive impact on your personal or professional life. While hiring an experienced immigration attorney is an excellent first step toward securing a positive outcome, it is vital to remember that legal representation is fundamentally a partnership. Your attorney is your advocate, but the strength and efficiency of your case rely heavily on the preparation, collaboration, and transparency you bring to the table. To help you maximize the value of your legal counsel and build a seamless, robust application package, here are five essential tips for making your partnership with an immigration attorney a genuine success. 1. Streamlining Translated Documents: The Value of Advance Preparation Submitting an immigration petition requires an extensive paper trail of supporting evidence. This often includes vital records such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, police clearance certificates, or academic transcripts. A strict, non-negotiable rule enforced by USCIS is that any document used as supporting evidence that is written in a language other than English must be accompanied by a full and complete English translation. You can proactively save significant time and keep your legal process moving forward by arranging for these translations before sending documents to your attorney. However, you cannot simply translate them yourself or have a bilingual friend write it out. USCIS requires the translator to provide a formal, written attestation. While you don’t need to hire a professional translator, the certification must explicitly state that the translator is competent to translate from the foreign language into English and that the translation is accurate, true, and complete. Having these documents translated with proper written attestations beforehand allows your attorney to begin analyzing your evidence and compiling your packet immediately without administrative delays. 2. Understanding Legal Fees vs. USCIS Filing Fees Like any legal process, immigration law matters are expensive, and they involve two distinct types of cost- understanding these can help you to budget properly and avoid unnecessary friction or delays. When entering into a legal retainer agreement, it is crucial to recognize the operational difference between the legal fees charged by your law firm and the administrative filing fees mandated by the U.S. government:  Legal Fees: These fees are paid directly to your immigration attorney for their professional expertise, time, legal labor, and ongoing representation. This covers strategy formulation, document drafting, compilation of the legal brief, and managing communications with government agencies. A good attorney will be clear about how much things will cost, at what point you will need to pay them, and why the costs may vary for certain situations (such as expediting a case to meet a deadline). USCIS Fees: These are flat filing fees established by the U.S. government to process specific immigration forms. These fees are mandatory regardless of whether you hire an attorney, and they are generally non-refundable—meaning the government keeps the money even if your application is ultimately denied. It is also important to remember that these fees will be charged to your account shortly after your case is filed, so make sure you have the requisite amount available in your account to avoid your filing being rejected due to payment failure. Review your legal contract carefully to ensure you understand how both fee types are structured. Your attorney will explicitly instruct you on how and when government fees must be paid, which typically requires separate checks, money orders, or specific credit card authorization forms made out directly to the "U.S. Department of Homeland Security." 3. Submitting Your Documents Properly When preparing documents for your attorney, ensure that they are properly scanned using a scanner or a dedicated mobile scanning app. If you must take photos of a document using a smartphone, ensure the camera is perfectly level, the lighting is bright and even, and the image displays the entire document —including all four corners, edges, and margins. Blurry, skewed, or cropped images look unprofessional and raise immediate red flags regarding document alteration. Furthermore, pay absolute attention to signature requirements. While electronic signatures are standard in commercial business, USCIS enforces strict guidelines. Most immigration forms and critical supporting affidavits require an original "wet signature"—meaning you must physically sign the paper document with an ink pen before it is submitted or scanned. Digital fonts or unapproved electronic signatures can result in your entire application package being rejected and sent back, costing you valuable time and filing priorities. 4. Transparency is Key: Providing the Full Picture Your immigration attorney’s sole objective is to protect your interests, advocate for your legal status, and help you achieve your goals. However, an attorney cannot effectively defend you against risks they do not know exist. To ensure a successful outcome, you must provide your legal counsel with a complete, completely unvarnished picture of all relevant facts—both positive and negative—from your very first consultation. Clients are occasionally hesitant to disclose past complications, such as a prior visa denial, an unauthorized period of employment, an arrest or citation, or previous marriages. Concealing these facts from your attorney is incredibly risky. The U.S. government possesses expansive domestic and international databases and will uncover this information during background checks. If your attorney is blindsided by an undisclosed adverse fact mid-process, they cannot prepare a proactive legal defense, alternative strategy, or necessary waiver in advance. Remember that your disclosures are entirely protected by attorney-client privilege; your attorney is there to solve your problems, not to judge them! 5. Managing Expectations: Why Attorneys Cannot Guarantee Outcomes One of the most foundational elements of a healthy attorney-client relationship is alignment on expectations. It is critical to understand from the outset that an immigration attorney can never guarantee a successful outcome for your case. Whether you are applying for a family-sponsored green card, an employment-based visa, asylum, or naturalization, the ultimate authority to approve or deny a petition rests entirely within the discretion of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of State consular officers, or immigration judges. Immigration law explicitly grants immense discretionary power to the government officials evaluating your case. An attorney’s role is to deeply analyze the law, construct a compelling legal narrative, meticulously organize your supporting evidence, and protect your rights from administrative overreach. However, because the final decision is entirely subject to agency discretion, any attorney who claims a "100% guaranteed approval" is acting unethically. Trust the counsel who gives you an honest assessment of your case's strengths and potential vulnerabilities, rather than empty promises. Conclusion: A Collaborative Approach to Success Achieving your immigration goals is a shared responsibility. Treat your application with the seriousness it deserves, work hand-in-hand with your legal counsel, and you will set yourself on the most reliable path to success. If you are ready to take action on your case and are seeking a competent, experienced, and trustworthy immigration attorney to work with you towards the outcome you are looking for, please contact us today and we will be ready to assist you.

An Athlete's Pathway to the EB-1A Green Card: Tips for the forward-thinking athlete on how to maximize your chances of eligibility for an "Extraordinary Ability" Green Card as you progress your career

By Joseph Lennarz • July 9, 2026
If you are an elite athlete, the dream of competing and living in the United States often begins with a temporary visa, like a P-1 or an O-1A, based on an employment contract with a team or a schedule of professional competitions you will participate in. However, if you are able to truly excel and reach the top echelon of competitors in your sport worldwide, you may eventually be able to qualify for an EB-1A employment-based Green Card that grants you lawful permanent residence in the U.S. The EB-1A is highly coveted because it doesn’t require a U.S. employer to sponsor you; you can self-petition based entirely on your own merit. However, the barrier to entry is high. You must either prove a major, one-time achievement (like an Olympic medal or a World Cup title) or satisfy at least three out of ten specific regulatory criteria. If you are a forward-thinking athlete currently in the prime of your career, now is the time to start building your EB-1A playbook. Here is a breakdown of all ten criteria from a professional sports perspective, along with actionable tips to bolster your eligibility for the future. The 10 EB-1A Criteria: An Athlete’s Playbook 1. Nationally or Internationally Recognized Prizes or Awards This criterion looks for evidence of excellence in your sport. For athletes, this means trophies, medals, or individual accolades. What counts: League MVP awards, "Best Newcomer" titles, National Championship medals, or selection to an All-Star team. Regional or local club-level awards generally won't cut it. How to maximize your chances: Never throw away a program booklet, medal certificate, or official league announcement. If you win an award, request a formal letter from the league or federation confirming the criteria for the award, how many athletes competed for it, and why you stood out. You are already striving for excellence in your career, to maximize the impact of these awards on your potential EB-1A eligibility, be prepared to document them as fully as possible. 2. Membership in Elite Associations USCIS looks for memberships in organizations that require outstanding achievements of their members, as judged by recognized national or international experts. What counts: Selection to a National Team, an invitation-only elite training pool, or membership in a prestigious international sports federation with strict performance entry barriers. A basic club membership, or membership in a players’ union for all players in your league is unlikely to move the needle here. How to maximize your chances: Actively pursue national team call-ups or qualify for top-tier athletic federations. Keep copies of the official selection criteria for these organizations to prove that entry is based strictly on elite athletic performance, not just paying a membership fee. 3. Published Material About You in Major Media This involves press coverage detailing your athletic career, your achievements, and your impact on the sport. What counts: Feature articles, profile pieces, and match reports in major media outlets (e.g., ESPN, Sky Sports, major national newspapers, or highly regarded websites that cater to your specific sport). How to maximize your chances: Don't shy away from the press. When journalists ask for interviews, take them. Make sure that video interviews or other video-based features include a written text element as well. Crucially, maintain a digital press portfolio . Save screenshots, URLs, and physical copies of print articles. Track the circulation or web traffic metrics of the publications featuring you to prove they qualify as "major media" - they will need to average at least 3,000 viewers or subscribers per month. 4. Participation as a Judge of the Work of Others This criterion requires you to have evaluated the performance of other athletes or professionals in your field. What counts: Serving as a licensed referee or umpire at high-level competitions, acting as a technical judge at a national tryout, or being invited to sit on a selection panel for a prestigious youth draft combine. How to maximize your chances: As you gain seniority in your sport, accept invitations to judge. Offer to serve as a panelist or evaluator for academy tryouts, state tournaments, or specialized sports combines. Ensure your participation is documented with official invitations and judging schedules. 5. Original Contributions of Major Significance to the Sport This means you have introduced something to your sport that has shifted the way the game is played, trained, or analyzed. What counts: Developing a brand-new training methodology or tactical system that is widely adopted by other clubs, setting a long-standing national or international record, or introducing a new technique to your sport such as a new grappling hold in combat sports or a new putting technique in golf. How to maximize your chances: If you innovate a specific technique or coaching program, document its widespread impact. Secure testimonial letters from independent coaches, sporting directors, and analysts testifying to how your unique contribution has materially advanced the sport. 6. Authorship of Scholarly Articles This requires writing deeply technical or academic pieces for major professional or trade publications. What counts: Publishing tactical breakdowns in recognized coaching journals, writing a column for a sports science publication, or authoring an authoritative textbook on modern athletic training. How to maximize your chances: Use the off-season or injury downtime to co-author articles with sports scientists or write deep-dive tactical pieces for established athletic journals or coaching magazines. The experience and insight of an elite athlete is a valuable academic resource; you don’t need to be an accomplished scholar yourself to contribute to academic work. 7. Display of Work at Artistic Exhibitions or Showcases While primarily designed for painters, sculptors, and actors, this can occasionally be adapted for athletes under very specific circumstances. What counts: Having your athletic gear, memorabilia, or historical achievements featured in a major sports museum, or being a primary feature in an athletic showcase with a large audience such as participating in a testimonial match for a retiring superstar, or a skateboarding demo attached to a popular festival. How to maximize your chances: If your athletic career intersects with media, exhibitions, or major historical displays, keep records of the venue’s prestige, attendance numbers, and promotional materials. 8. Performing in a Leading or Critical Role for Distinguished Organizations You must prove that you played a vital part in the success of a team or organization with an eminent reputation. What counts: Serving as the team captain, being the star player/top scorer who led a top-tier club to a championship, or acting as the foundational head coach of a highly reputable academy. This could also apply to leading your boxing or MMA gym to a tournament title, your motorsport team to a season trophy, or contributing to your country’s success in an international competition. How to maximize your chances: Leadership matters. Strive for roles like captaincy or leading tactical positions. Keep records of statistics that indicate your impact on your team or group’s success. When you leave a club or team, secure a letter from the head coach, general manager, or sporting director detailing exactly how your specific presence and leadership directly caused the organization's success or ranking surge. 9. High Salary or Significantly High Remuneration This requires proving that your compensation is substantially higher than what the average athlete in your sport and country earns. What counts: Playing contracts, performance bonuses, endorsement deals, and prize money that place you in the top tier of earners in your league or nation. How to maximize your chances: Keep meticulous financial records. Save all player contracts, prize money receipts, and tax returns. Work with your immigration attorney to gather objective labor data (like national statistics or league averages) to clearly demonstrate that your income dwarfs the baseline average for your profession. 10. Commercial Successes in the Performing Arts For athletes, this criterion is increasingly satisfied through the modern commercialization of sports, specifically focusing on box office draws and merchandise. What counts: Major pay-per-view (PPV) draws in combat sports or extreme sports, ticket sales or attendance spikes directly attributed to your presence, or substantial jersey/merchandise sales carrying your name. How to maximize your chances: Work closely with your agency, club, or promotion to track your commercial impact. Request data regarding streaming viewership peaks during your matches, box office revenue for events you headlined, or official merchandise sales reports. As with each criteria, the more objective support materials you can provide, the stronger your argument becomes. Summary: Building Your EB-1A Timeline The EB-1A Green Card requires extraordinary ability by its very name; planning and preparation alone cannot manifest eligibility if you are not an outstanding athlete in your chosen sport. But for those high achieving athletes who may wish to pursue this desirable pathway to lawful permanent residency, being proactive early in your career can make all the difference. By understanding these criteria today, you can make intentional career choices that pay off down the road. Treat your visa strategy like your training regimen: consistency, documentation, and aiming for the highest platforms will ultimately secure your win. If you think you may qualify for an EB-1A visa on the basis of your athletic talent, please contact our office and we would be happy to help guide you through this complex but rewarding process.
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