What Is the P-1 Visa?

Last Updated on March 15, 2024

What Is the P-1 Visa?

Internationally known athletes and entertainers use the P-1 visa.  As such, the P visa is a rare category.

What Are the P-1 Visa Requirements?

The P-1A visa category is for athletes to perform at a specific event or competition as part of a group or individually. These are the P-1 visa eligibility requirements:

  • The beneficiary coming to the U.S. must have achieved significant and international recognition in the sport
  • The event must be distinguished and require the participation of an athletic team of international recognition

Please note: An employee must submit Form I-94 if inside the U.S. and applying for an extension or transfer.

How Long Does a P-1 Visa Last?

Individual athletes have an initial stay of five years. After those five years, the individual athletes can apply for renewals. However, the number of extensions is limited. As such, individual athletes have a total stay of 10 years in the U.S.

Athletic groups have an initial stay of one year. After that one year, USCIS grants renewals at its discretion. This means the total stay for the athletic group varies.

If the temporary nature of the assignment changes, individual athletes and athletic groups should speak to their attorneys.

How Much Does the P-1A Visa Cost?

  • Petition filing fee: $460
  • Premium processing: Employers can pay the $2,500 premium processing fee when available. USCIS will adjudicate the P-1A petition within 15 calendar days. This means that USCIS is required to approve, issue a request for evidence or deny the visa petition within those 15 calendar days.

What Is the P-3 Visa?

The P-3 visa is reserved for an artist or entertainer coming into the U.S. to be part of a culturally unique program. For example, the petitioner must be coming to the U.S. either individually, or as a group. Their purpose should be to develop, coach or teach a unique cultural program, such as:

  • Traditional ethnic
  • Folk, cultural
  • Musical
  • Theatrical
  • Artistic performance or presentation

Please note, an employee must submit Form I-94 if inside the U.S. and applying for an extension or transfer.

How Long Does a P-3 Visa Last?

Individuals on the P-3 visa have an initial stay of one year. After this first year, individuals may apply for unlimited extensions that are permitted for up to one year. However, these extensions are limited until the completion of the event or performance.

As such, the total stay varies for someone on a P-3 visa. If the temporary nature of the assignment changes, individuals should speak with their attorney.

How Much Does the P-3 Visa Cost?

  • P-3 visa petition filing fee: $460.
  • Premium processing: Employers can pay the $1,440 premium processing fee when available. USCIS will adjudicate the P-3 petition within 15 calendar days. This means that USCIS is required to approve, issue a request for evidence or deny the visa petition within those 15 calendar days.

Envoy Global can help you navigate P-1 visa and other immigration matters by combining top immigration law firms and a robust technology platform. If you’re seeking to simplify your company’s immigration program, contact us to learn more.


If the foreign national is outside the U.S., they likely will need to apply for a visa to enter the U.S. in the specific visa category prior to entering the U.S. in the specific status.


Content in this publication is not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an Envoy-affiliated attorney or another qualified professional.