O Visa: The O visa classification provides for the admission into the United States of persons with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business and athletics, or extraordinary achievement in motion picture and television production, and their essential support personnel.

Only individuals qualify for the O-1 visa category. In order for a group to qualify, each member would be required to meet the extraordinary ability test. The visa is granted for a specific event, such as a tour, lecture series or project.

O-2 Visa: For athletes and members of the entertainment industry, a provision exists whereby aliens, who are an integral part of the performance and have skills and experience which are not available in the United States location, may apply for O-2 visas to accompany the O-1 visa holder.

P- 1 Visa: The P- 1 visa classification provides for admission into the United States of certain athletes, entertainers and artists, and essential support personnel. Individual members of the entertainment industry are not eligible for the P-1 visa classification, but individual athletes are. For members of the entertainment industry, the visa will be issued for a specific event only. However, individual athletes may be admitted for five years and a team for a period of six months.

P-2 Visa: The P-2 visa classification provides for the admission into the United States of an artist or entertainer, either an individual or group, involved in a reciprocal exchange program between an organization or organizations in the United States and one or more foreign countries which provides for the temporary exchange of artists and entertainers.

P-3 Visa: The P-3 visa classification provides for the admission into the United States of an artist or entertainer, either an individual or group, to perform, teach, or coach under a program that is culturally unique.

Do you qualify for the O or P visa? What next?

Your sponsor is required to file a petition,  on your behalf with the USCIS Your sponsor or employer should contact the USCIS for further information. In the case of an alien who is traditionally self-employed or who uses agents to arrange short-term employment with numerous employers, an agent may file the petition with the USCIS. An agent may also file a petition on behalf of a foreign employer.

It is the responsibility of the USCIS to determine whether the alien qualifies for O or P visa category. Any questions concerning eligibility should be addressed to the appropriate USCIS office.

The USCIS offer a Premium Processing Service which expedites the processing of a nonimmigrant visa petition.

What happens once the petition has been approved by USCIS? If an O or P petition has been approved in your name, you will be required to apply for a visa before traveling to the United States. The Notice of Action, form I-797A or B, is not valid for travel unless accompanied by the appropriate visa.  

Spouses, Children & Partners: Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal visa holder in the United States for the duration of his/her stay require derivative O-3 or P-4 visas. The application procedure is the same; the I-797A or B covers dependents. If the spouse and/or children apply for visas at a later date, a copy of the principal visa holder’s visa must be furnished with the application. Spouses and/or children who do not intend to reside in the United States with the principal visa holder, but visit for vacations only, may be eligible to apply for a visitors visa or if qualified, travel visa free under the visa waiver program

O-3 & P-4 verses F-1: There is no requirement that the spouse and/or children of an O or P visa holder apply for a student (F-1) visa if they wish to study in the U.S.; they may study on derivative O-3 or P-4 visas. However, if they are qualified, they may apply for the F-1 visa. If you have school age children, you should refer to the regulations governing the issuance of F-1 visas.

Working on an O-3 or P-4 visa: The holder of an O-3 or P-4 visa may not work on a derivative visa. If he or she is seeking employment, the appropriate work visa will be required.

Please Note: No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore final travel plans or the purchase of nonrefundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued.