Requirements for an Athlete Visa

O-1 visas are granted to foreign citizens who have demonstrated outstanding abilities. This includes the arts, business, sciences, and athletics. Specifically, if you want a talented foreign athlete to come work for your organization in Southern California, you need to apply for an O-1A athlete visa for them. Simply submitting an application is not enough, however, as you also need to include evidentiary support to back up your claims that the athlete has extraordinary ability in their particular sport.

Some examples of evidence that must be included are as follows:

  • The itinerary and schedule of the athlete’s intended services for your team
  • The contract between you and the athlete for the work to be performed
  • Written attestations by peer groups, including coaches or league representatives that speak to the talents of the athlete

Even in the case of an international sports superstar who is paid millions of dollars per season, obtaining an athlete visa can be complex and unexpected complications may arise. Because of the highly scheduled nature of most sporting events, even the slightest delay in obtaining an O-1 visa can cost your organization a significant amount of money. An experienced entertainment industry attorney can help to schedule and complete the application to avoid any errors and to ensure you have plenty of time should any complications arise.

Contact an Attorney About Immigrant Visas for Athletes in Los Angeles

Our team of immigration lawyers help athletes obtain visas who play in Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, and the National Football League. We also have immigration lawyers for professional squash players. What ever your need for an athletic visa is, we have you covered. Our team also helps producers, musicians, models and actors obtain visas to work in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles and across the United States.

Athletes in the United States are among the best and highest paid in the world. Unfortunately for foreign nationals, it is not as simple as getting noticed by the right team scout – you also have to obtain a visa to enter and work in the United States. Similarly, for employers of athletes, there are legal steps that you need to go through before you bring your next star player into the country to work.