P Visa for Athletes
Natalia Hynes • March 16, 2021
What choice does an athlete have to come to the United States of America to compete and train for a long season?
Click here to read this article in Portuguese
If you were to ask me which athlete I admire the most, my answer would be Katherine Switzer, without a second thought. Why? Two reasons. First, she is a female athlete and long-distance runner. Long-distance runners have the peculiarity of competing against themselves rather than against other runners. The ultimate goal of a long-distance runner is to beat their time from previous races.
The primary condition for obtaining a P Visa as an individual athlete is ‘international recognition,’ and the way to prove such status is by submitting at least two of the following documents:
1) Evidence of significant participation in a prior season with a major U.S. sports league;
2) Evidence of participation in international competition with a national team;
3) Evidence of significant participation in a prior season for a U.S. college or university in intercollegiate competition;
4) A letter issued by the official governing body of the sport explaining how the athlete is internationally recognized;
5) Articles about the athlete published in sports media or sports experts explaining in detail how the athlete is internationally recognized;
6) Documents showing that the athlete has been internationally-ranked;
7) Documents showing that the athlete has received relevant recognition or an award in the field.
This Facebook widget is no longer supported.
Second, she was the first woman to run an official marathon—the Boston Marathon—in 1967. A huge accomplishment if we take into consideration that women were forbidden from running in that official marathon at that time. I must confess that her story inspired me to run long-distance races and brought me to admire the work and dedication that athletes put upon themselves toward their quest for victory.
During that quest to victory, athletes are frequently required to travel to the United States of America—the virtual Mecca for dozens of sports—to participate in renowned competitions. Here, the question becomes logical and obvious: how can an athlete enter the United States of America to compete and train for a long season? One of the options is the ‘P Visa for Athletes.’
Suppose an athlete submits at least two of the above documents. In that case, the athlete is likely to be granted a P Visa for up to 5 years. The current regulation allows the P Visa to be renewed for a maximum period of 5 years.
Finally, the Santos Lloyd Law Firm has secured P visas for numerous athletes in various sports, including Jiu-Jitsu (all divisions), MMA, capoeira, kickboxing, poker, and paddle boarding, among other disciplines.
If you have any questions about P Visas for athletes, please feel free to schedule an intake appointment.
Santos Lloyd Law Firm hopes to work with you and contribute to your quest.
This blog is not intended to be legal advice and nothing here should be construed as establishing an attorney client relationship. Please schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney before acting on any information read here.
October begins a new federal fiscal year, but that does not mean every green card applicant moves to the front of the line. The Department of State’s October 2026 Visa Bulletin sets out the visa availability that applicants in family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories need to review this month.
Santos Lloyd Law Firm takes great pride in announcing that Partner Flavia Santos Lloyd has been invited to join the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. As a highly selective global network, the organization recognizes legal professionals across both the public and private sectors who embody the absolute highest standards of the practice. Admission to this distinguished group highlights Flavia’s outstanding legal career, professional integrity, and deep impact on the legal community. Our team celebrates Flavia on this well-deserved recognition!
On September 14, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a nationwide preliminary injunction in Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security , halting the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that was scheduled to eliminate “duration of status” (D/S) on September 15, 2026. As a result of this nationwide order, DHS is blocked from enforcing fixed periods of admission for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I media representatives while the litigation moves forward. Because the current “duration of status” framework remains in full effect, F, J, and I visa holders are not required to file Form I-539 extension of stay applications to remain in valid status beyond program end dates at this time. Furthermore, restrictions on academic transfers, constraints on enrolling in second programs at the same degree level, 240-day caps on continued employment while extensions are pending, and shortened grace periods do not apply during the injunction. F-1 nonimmigrants retain the full 60-day post-completion grace period, and J-1 holders maintain their 30-day grace period. However, please note that this preliminary injunction is not a final ruling invalidating the rule , and a status conference is scheduled for October 2, 2026, to determine next steps in the litigation. Immediate Practice Tips: Inspect I-94 Travel Records Upon Reentry: F, J, and I visa holders currently admitted under D/S retain their status and should continue to be readmitted under D/S following international travel until the injunction is lifted. However, because the I-94 record controls legal stay, travelers must inspect their CBP-issued Form I-94 immediately upon reentry to confirm the "Admit Until Date" states "D/S" rather than a specific expiration date. If a specific date is mistakenly recorded, contact a local CPB Deferred Inspection Site. Notify HR and Review Workplace Compliance: Employers sponsoring F-1 or J-1 employees should inform HR and hiring managers that the September 15 fixed-period rule is postponed and standard D/S rules govern. This development does not alter standard filing windows or Form I-9 verification procedures for post-completion OPT or STEM OPT extensions. Maintain Operational Readiness and Defer Unnecessary Filings: Visa holders and employers should defer travel or filing strategy decisions made solely in anticipation of the fixed-admission rule. Because DHS may appeal or the court could alter the timeline on short notice, institutions and visa holders should maintain readiness to adjust plans if implementation resumes. There are many evolving components to this litigation. If you are an F-1, J-1, or I visa holder, sponsoring institution, or employer, you should proactively coordinate with your international student office and legal counsel to protect your status and monitor upcoming court proceedings.
