Sports immigration to the United States
There are some people who have certain jobs and professions. Maybe this group of people are thinking about migrating based on their profession and expertise. There are many athletes who choose to immigrate to top countries. One of these top countries is the United States. In this article, we will discuss sports immigration to the United States. Individuals can use sports immigration to enter the United States depending on their careers. In some countries, such as the United States, there are especial types of visas that prominent, successful, and internationally renowned people can use to immigrate to the United States. If you have any question about sport immigration to the United States, you can contact the Malekpour Law Firm (MIE Austria) and benefit from our free initial consultation.
In the Comments section, you can also ask your questions and answer them in a short time.
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General conditions for sporting immigration to the United States
The United States has always been considered as the best country for immigration in the world. The United States can be one of the countries that welcomes athletes from all over the world. According to the immigration laws, this country has provided P visas for applicants, and people who are internationally renowned can apply for this type of visa. At first we must define the word athlete. To qualify as an athlete for a P-1 visa, a person or team must be internationally renowned in a particular sport. Applicants must demonstrate this by showing a contract with a major U.S. sports league, team, or international sporting event.
• P-1 visa
The P-1 entertainment visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals who are athletes, artists and entertainers to enter into the U.S. for a specific event, competition or performance. The P-1 Visa classifications cover individuals who compete at an internationally recognized level.
To obtain a P-1 visa, you must meet the following conditions.
• The applicant must be an athlete who is participating in an international event.
• The applicant must provide evidence of a legal contract with a major U.S. sports league or organization in the United States.
• The applicant must meet two of the following conditions.
• Participation in U.S. major sports league in prior seasons
• Participation in international competitions with a national team
• Written statement from a sport media or a recognized expert
• Significant participation in a prior U.S. major league season
Among the advantages of a P-1 visa are; the visa holders can travel through the United States without any restrictions, they are allowed to bring their companions (family, and etc…) with them, they are allowed to study part-time, and they will be able to get a permanent residence permit in the United States. Using this type of visa, individuals can apply for a 5-year permanent residence permit in the United States. Note that this residence permit should not be extended for more than 10 years. Some of the limitations of this type of visa are:
• P-1 visa applications will only be issued if the appropriate U.S. sports league or organization is consulted by the USCIS.
• P-1 visa holders should be aware that companions are not allowed to work. Companions must apply for a residence permit in order to be able to start working.
• P-1 entertainers (though not athletes) must be performing as part of a group and not individually
Conclusion: The P-1 visa is not available for individual activities, but only for members of internationally renowned groups. These groups must be active on a regular basis for at least one year and 75% of its members must be active for at least one year. The applicant’s spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 may be able to obtain a visa and enter the United States. Dependents will not be allowed to work, but can attend school or university.
• P-2 visa
If you are planning to travel to the United States temporarily to perform an art or entertainment, either individually or as part of a group, as part of a reciprocal exchange program in the United States or an organization in another country, a non-visa Immigration P-2 applies to you.
In this type of visa two organizations should be involved in this exchange program. An organization in the United States, and one abroad that provides for the temporary exchange of artists and entertainers. The requirements for obtaining a P-2 visa are:
• An artist or entertainment exchange program must exist between the United States and that country.
• People involved in the exchange program must have equal conditions. Meaning that they will be hired in similar conditions for similar periods of time.
• The applicant must be highly experienced and possess skills comparable to those of U.S. entertainers or artists in the reciprocal program.
• An organization must be involved in negotiating the reciprocal exchange program to exchange artists and entertainers.
Amon the advantages of this type of visa are: there are no travel restrictions in the United States, being allowed to study a part-time, companions are allowed to enter the United States, and the possibility of obtaining a permanent residence permit in the United States. The applicant’s companions won’t be allowed to work with this type of visa and must obtain a work permit to work in the United States. The P-2 visa for artists or entertainers is valid for the required amount of time to complete the event, activity or performance, but should not exceed one year. Individuals can extend their visa for as long as the activity of their group in the United States is approved and valid. The applicant’s spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 may obtain a visa and enter the United States. Dependents will not be allowed to work, but may attend school or university.
• P-3 visa
The P-3 visa is suitable for people who are active in the fields of arts or entertainment. They can apply for this type of visa in the United States, either as a group or individually. Individuals must prove that they are entering the United States for the purpose of developing, interpreting, representing, coaching, or teaching a unique or traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performance or presentation. In addition, someone who comes to the United States to participate in a cultural event or events which will further the understanding or development of the art form. This program may be commercial or non-commercial in nature. The requirements for obtaining a P-3 visa are as follows:
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Be qualified to perform the work as specified on the petition.
• Communicate effectively.
• Have not resided in the United States during the last year before arrival on a P-3 Visa.
Some of the benefits of this type of visa are: individuals who have a P-3 visa can enter the United States and perform for payment or prize money. They are able to study part-time and bring their companions to the US with them. Also, anyone who has to participate in these programs can apply for a visa with the main applicant. The visa holder can only work for the employer who has sponsored him/her. Applicant’s companions are allowed to reside in the United States, but will not be allowed to work in this country.
• P-4 visa
P-4 visas are for the spouses and children of P-1, P-2 or P-3 visa holders who wish to visit or accompany the principal visa holder in the U.S.
Other US Visas for Athletes
When it comes to sports immigration to the United States, in addition to the P visas, we should also mention some special visas that are for sports. Therefore, the Malekpour Law Firm has analyzed different types of US visas for athletes. The bottom line is that all of these visas issued to athletes are non-immigrant visas and should be converted into a long-term and permanent residence permit.
• B-1 visa
This visa is for people who want to travel to the United States with the intention of doing business and participating in sports-oriented business activities. Individuals with this type of visa, which is a travel visa, can enter the United States and benefit from consulting with business partners, participating in short-term trainings, participating in scientific and educational conventions, and so on.
You can use this type of visa in the following cases:
Athletes who do not have a salary and intend to enter the United States to participate in a special competition.
Athletes who intend to enter the United States to compete in a special competition.
• B-2 visa
This visa is for short-term travelling or for tourism. This visa is issued to people who travel to the United States to visit their relatives, friends or acquaintances. This visa is valid for 6 months and the holder is not allowed to work during this period. This visa applies to beginner or amateur athletes if they intend to participate in a short-term competition or charity event.
• O-1 visa
Once a person has a special talent in their sporting career, they can use this visa to participate in competitions and enter the United States. This visa is usually granted in person.
• EB1 visa
This visa is granted to foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in science, art, education, business, and sports. This visa is issued for the purpose of immigrating to the United States through sports and obtaining a permanent residence permit in the United States. One of the requirements for obtaining an EB-1 visa is that athletes must show extraordinary ability in their activity. Athletes must also present international awards in their field and be known in their field of activity.
Sports Immigration to the United States and why to use the services of an immigration lawyer
Since there are a variety of visas and residence permits in the United States, the process of migrating to this country is one of the most complex immigration process. Therefore, it may be a little difficult for applicants who want to immigrate to know about the visa requirements. Sometimes a person may know how to immigrate. But it is definitely a bit confusing to decide which type of US visas to apply for. Therefore, choosing a reputable lawyer or law firm to guide you through the immigration path can make things easier for you. Because that lawyer can show you how to immigrate. Therefore, Malekpour Law Firm (MIE Austria) with more than 15 years of experience in the field of immigration can be by your side so that you can easily get the necessary information you need in this regard and start your immigration process and then get a residence permit in this country.
Requirements for getting a US Green Card and obtaining citizenship through a sports visa
As mentioned earlier, people who apply for sports immigration to the United States travel to this country on short-term visas. So people will enter the United States for short-term traveling or short-term sports activities. These types of visas that we have mentioned so far are non-immigrant visas. This article has been prepared by the Malekpour Law Firm and it is it forbidden by the law to copy it without mentioning the source. So, in practice, people cannot apply for sports immigration to the United States by obtaining sports visas. But once you are eligible for an EB-1 visa, you can apply for a permanent residence permit or the US Green Card. If you are in the United States on a non-immigrant visa, you can get a job offer and then obtain a work permit and after that you can apply for a permanent residence permit or even citizenship.
Answering some of the frequently asked questions about sports immigration to the United States
✔️Is it possible to apply for a permanent residence permit in the United States by having a short-term P visa?
No. You can apply for immigration and a permanent residence permit in the United States only by getting/having an EB-1 visa.
✔️Can I move to the United states if my brother has a sports club in this country?
If there is an employer in the United States who is willing to offer you a job and hire you in his/her club or business, yes, you can immigrate to the United States through work.
✔️Can a karate instructor obtain a US sports visa?
If they can prove that they must be present in the United States or that they have a special ability in an international level, yes.
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