P-1A Visa
The P-1A visa allows internationally recognized athletes to enter the U.S. temporarily to perform at a specific athletic competition, individually or as part of a team, at an internationally recognized level of performance.
Professional athletes
Internationally recognized individual competitors
Members of internationally recognized athletic teams
Coaches and support staff (when essential to the athlete’s performance)
Must be coming to the U.S. to participate in a competition, event, or performance of international standing
Must demonstrate a high level of achievement in the sport, evidenced by:
A significant degree of skill and recognition, substantially above the ordinary
Evidence that the competition or team is internationally recognized
Processing Time
Premium Processing: 15 business days (Form I-907)
Standard Processing: Varies by service center (check USCIS Processing Times tool)
Visa Duration
Individual athletes: Up to 5 years, max 10
Teams: 1 year, extendable in 1-year increments
OpenSphere Services
Petition drafting & evidence compilation (competition records, contracts, press coverage)
RFE response preparation
Guidance for individual athletes, teams, and essential staff
Full end-to-end USCIS and consular support
