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?
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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.
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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.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a major change to the H-1B cap selection process. Under a final rule issued on December 29, 2025, USCIS will replace the long-standing random H-1B lottery with a wage-weighted selection system that favors higher-paid and more complex positions. The rule is scheduled to take effect on February 27, 2026 , just ahead of the fiscal year 2027 H-1B cap registration season, unless delayed by legal challenges. If implemented, USCIS is expected to release additional guidance explaining how employers must submit registrations under the revised process. This change marks one of the most significant reforms to the H-1B program in recent years. Up until 2025, all registrations were treated equally once the annual cap was reached. Under the new system, selection odds will be tied to wage levels based on the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. All H-1B registrations will still be placed into a single selection pool, but registrations tied to higher wage levels will receive multiple entries into that pool, increasing their likelihood of selection. Lower wage levels will receive fewer entries, making selection less likely but not impossible. H-1B wage levels are not determined solely by salary. Each wage level reflects the complexity of the job, the level of responsibility involved, and the education and experience required . Entry-level positions involving routine duties and close supervision are generally classified at the lowest wage level, while positions requiring independent judgment, advanced skills, and significant responsibility fall into higher wage levels. The highest wage level is reserved for roles that involve expert knowledge, strategic decision-making, and substantial leadership or technical authority. USCIS is expected to closely scrutinize selected petitions to ensure that the wage level claimed during registration is supported by the job duties and salary offered in the petition. Any discrepancies between the registration and the petition may result in requests for evidence, denials, or enforcement action. With the elimination of the purely random lottery, employers should begin preparing early by carefully evaluating job descriptions, wage levels, and overall H-1B strategy. Accurate classification and thoughtful planning will be essential under this new wage-based selection system. If you are an employer considering H-1B sponsorship, or a foreign professional wondering whether your position may qualify under the new wage-based system, consulting with experienced immigration counsel is more important than ever. Santos Lloyd Law is actively advising clients on H-1B cap registrations and strategy under the new rules. To discuss your options or determine whether you may qualify, contact our office to schedule a consultation.
During the recent administration there has been an increase in issuance of Requests for Evidence for EB-1A petitions for those of Extraordinary Ability. A Request for Evidence is a request that is made by USCIS that should explain how the evidence is deficient in proving the criteria argued and what additional evidence needs to be provided by the applicant to meet the criteria. EB-1A petitions are already normally subject to higher scrutiny because their approval is the first step needed to apply for Lawful Permanent Residence or a green card. USCIS normally requires not just evidence but that the evidence be provided with context and information to show why it matters in a particular field. For example, if you were providing evidence of your membership in an organization that requires outstanding achievements of its members, just providing evidence of the membership is not enough. You must explain what that membership is and provide background information on the organization granting the membership. You also need to provide evidence on the criteria that is used to select the members, information on those who select the members to show that they are recognized experts, other documentation such as articles about the membership organization to show its importance, and any other relevant evidence and background information to show that the criteria is met. A request for evidence being issued prior to the current administration was not uncommon, but in the current climate it is more surprising to not receive a request for evidence for this type of case. It is important to remember that a request for evidence is not a denial. Depending on the validity of the information in the request and the substance some Requests for Evidence can be overcome, and the case be approved. It is important to carefully review the request and note if there are any errors in the content and application of the regulations by USCIS. If you have an attorney, you should work with them and make sure that you provide any evidence you think may be helpful. Although there is a deadline by which a response must be submitted, attention to detail and patience will go a long way when dealing with having to respond to a request for evidence. If you believe you may qualify for this type of visa, please feel free to contact our office.
Once you have connected with a college program, have been admitted to the school, and deemed eligible to compete athletically, you will need to secure an F-1 student visa in order to actually attend your new college and begin your time as a student athlete. The first step in the visa process is to receive your Form I-2
