U.S. SPORTS IMMIGRATION VISAS

MICHAEL P. GUEVARA, P.L950 S. Pine Island Road, Suite A-150

Plantation, Florida 33324(954)727-8220

www.guevaraimmigration.com

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• INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ATHLETES HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO THE U.S. WITH EITHER A P-1 VISA OR AN O-1 VISA

• THE REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH VISA VARY SO YOU MAY ONLY QUALIFY FOR ONE TYPE OF VISA

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P-1 VISAS REQUIRE:

• Athlete or team is internationally recognized

• Athletic competition has a distinguished reputation

• Competition requires participation of athlete or team of international repute

• Contract with major US sports league or team (or otherwise commensurate with international reputation)

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P-1 visas also require two of the following:

• Significant participation in prior season in major leagues

• Participation in international competition with a national team

• Significant participation in prior season in college, university, or intercollegiate competition

• US sports official’s written statement regarding individual or team’s international recognition

• Expert’s or sports media statement regarding individual or team’s international recognition

• Ranking of individual or team

• Significant honors or awards in the sport

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• P-1 visas can be approved for 5 years and extended for an additional 5 year period

• Spouses and minor children enter with P-4 visas for the same duration as the P-1 visa holder

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O-1 VISAS REQUIRE:

Persons of extraordinary ability in athletics who demonstrate either of the following:

• Receipt of a major, internationally-recognized award (e.g. Olympic Gold Medal), or

At least three (3) of the following : • Receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or

awards for excellence in his/her field

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• Membership in an association in the field which requires outstanding achievements of its members, as judged by national or international experts in its field

• Published material in professional or major trade publications or major media about the athlete, concerning the athlete’s work in the field

• Participation on a panel, or individually, as a judge of the work of

others in the field

• Scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field

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• Authorship of scholarly articles in the field in professional journals or other major media

• Employment in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation

• High salary or other remuneration commanded by the athlete for services

• Other comparable evidence

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• O-1 visas are usually granted for an initial 3 year period and can be extended for an additional one year period without limitations

• Spouses and minor children obtain O-3 visas for the duration of the O-1 visa holder

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• If you are truly an extraordinary athlete, you may wish to apply for an O-1 visa as it would also allow you to apply for an EB-1 Extraordinary Ability Immigrant Visa (Green Card) for Permanent Residency

• You may apply for either a P-1 visa or an O-1 visa if you qualify

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REGARDLESS OF THE SPORT YOU PLAY WE CAN HELP YOU OBTAIN YOUR U.S. SPORTS VISA

MICHAEL P. GUEVARA, P.L.

950 S. Pine Island Road, #A-150

Plantation, FL 33324

(954) 727-8220

www.guevaraimmigration.com