P-1A — Internationally Recognized Athletes
The most widely used athlete visa, and the one most professional and high-level amateur athletes will fit into. The P-1A is built for: (a) individual athletes or athletic teams with an internationally recognized level of performance, (b) professional athletes joining a U.S. league of at least six teams with combined annual revenues over $10 million (think the major leagues), (c) athletes performing as part of an internationally recognized amateur team or league, and (d) athletes in theatrical ice skating productions. Whether you are joining a roster, competing as part of a touring team, or arriving as an individual standout, the P-1A pathway is the workhorse — and we have filed it across soccer, tennis, baseball, basketball, and more.
O-1A — Extraordinary Ability in Athletics
The most prestigious visa category open to athletes — reserved for those at the very top of their field with sustained national or international acclaim. Approval grants up to three years of authorized work in the United States, with extensions tied to your competition schedule. We build the evidence package that meets this elevated standard.
EB-1A — Green Card
Extraordinary ability green card for athletes seeking permanent U.S. residency. No job offer needed.
P-1S — Essential Support Personnel
Behind every great athlete is a team. The P-1S visa brings coaches, trainers, and other essential support personnel to the United States alongside the P-1A athletes or teams they serve. We file P-1S and P-1A petitions together so that the people who make your performance possible can travel and work with you. A word on TN visas for athletes: You may have read elsewhere that Canadian and Mexican athletes can use the TN visa to enter the U.S. — they cannot. Athletics is not a profession listed under USMCA Appendix 2. If you are a Canadian or Mexican athlete or sports professional, the correct pathways are P-1A or O-1A, and we handle both.
