(904) COURT-1-A or (904) 268-7812 | (323) 533-3492 Cell

430 Honeycomb Way, Jacksonville, FL 32259

Susan Pai is admitted to the Washington State Bar, not the Florida Bar Attorney Pai's Florida legal practice is limited exclusively to Immigration & Nationality law

P Athletes & Entertainers

P-1 Visas are for individuals who is are internationally recognized professional athletes or members of an entertainment group. A consultation letter from a recognized peer group stating they have no objection to the applicant’s entry to the U.S. is required. A P-1 visa may be for an initial period of up to 5 years and may be renewed for a total P-1 stay of 10 years.

P-2 Visas are for individuals who are seeking to enter the U.S. as professional athletes or entertainers to perform under reciprocal exchange programs. The term of the P-2 visa is for the duration of the program, in one year increments.

P-3 Visas are for individuals who are seeking to enter the U.S. as professional athletes or entertainers to perform in culturally unique programs. The term of the P-3 visa is for the duration of the program, in one year increments.

P-4 Derivative Visas are available for spouses and minor children of P-visa holders. P-4 visa holders may attend school but may not be employed as a P-4 visa holder.

P-1 Visa for Athletes Expanded. On 12/9/06 the House passed the Creating Opportunities for Minor League Professionals, Entertainers, and Teams through Legal Entry (COMPETE) Act of 2006 (S. 3821), following passage by the Senate on 12/6/06. Once the President signs the bill into law, S. 3821 will expand P-1 nonimmigrant visa access to allow certain categories of athletes to perform or compete in the U.S.

The COMPETE Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to enlarge the scope of P-1 nonimmigrant visas to include: (1) a professional athlete; (2) a person who performs as an athlete, coach, or part of a team that is located in the United States and is a member of certain amateur foreign leagues or associations from which a significant number of individuals are drafted by major sports leagues or their minor league affiliates; and (3) a professional or amateur athlete who performs individually or as part of a group in a theatrical ice skating production coming to the United States in a specific ice skating production or tour. Currently P-1 visas are limited to athletes performing at an “internationally recognized level of performance.”

Florida Legislature Passes SB1718, anti-immigrant legislation