Raleigh Sports Visa Attorneys

Legal Help for Sports Professionals Traveling to the U.S.

Many athletes around the world travel to the U.S. for work, and they need to obtain the proper visas when doing so. A variety of visa types allow sports professionals to travel legally, each corresponding to different circumstances.

If you are an athlete or coach and you need a sports visa for work, we can help. We have extensive experience helping all types of individuals obtain temporary legal status in the U.S., and we are prepared to handle a variety of scenarios for travelling athletes.

Call Gardner Law, PLLC today at (919) 355-5134 to discuss your questions with our sports visa attorneys in Raleigh. In your initial case evaluation, we can help you get started on filing for a visa.

O-1 & P-1 Visas for Athletes

The O-1 visa is for individuals with “extraordinary ability” in certain fields, including athletics, who are travelling to the U.S. to carry out work related to that ability. An athlete is considered to have “extraordinary ability” if he or she has gained national or international fame. The athlete’s coach, trainer, or manager may qualify for an O-2 visa to also travel to the U.S.

The P-1 visa is appropriate for professional athletes and sports teams that need to travel together for a competition in the U.S. In order to utilize a P-1 visa, the event the athletes are travelling for must be internationally recognized. Essential Support Personnel such as coaches, scouts, trainers or other team officials central to the performance of the athlete or team may also be eligible for a visa.

B-1 Business Visitor Visa

Some athletes may qualify for a B-1 business-related visa, which typically applies to individuals traveling to the U.S. for strictly professional purposes. Individual professional athletes can come to the U.S. with a B-1 visa to participate in a special sporting event or competition. They cannot receive a salary in the U.S. except for prize or reward money, which is one of the main differences between the B-1 and the P-1 visa. Furthermore, the B-1 is also available to amateur hockey players travelling to the U.S. for try-outs.

EB-1C Employment-Based Immigrant Visa

The EB-1C visa, otherwise known as “Employment-Based Extraordinary Ability Green Card,” is for foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. Coaches and athletes must show that they have achieved international recognition in their respective field, such as a gold medal, first-place showing, or other international awards or accolades.

Take the Stress Out of Traveling Internationally as an Athlete by Calling Our Firm

At Gardner Law, PLLC, your success is our priority. Attorney Gardner is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, the North Carolina Bar Association, and the North Carolina State Bar, making her a recognized and trusted advocate in the field.

If you need assistance obtaining a visa for sports-related immigration, do not hesitate to contact our Raleigh attorneys today.