Best practices for validity dates of P-1 visa application?

5 year P-1 visas are a good idea in limited circumstances

P-1 visa applications can be for up to five years but in many cases the full five years is not the best option for first time applicants. In certain sports where there is typically an event organizer or promoter involved, five years is more plausible than other situations. 

For example, a fighter that is currently signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championships and applying for a visa with their agency has a great chance for approval with a 5 year P-1 visa. This is occuring more often because the actual promotions that secure these visas, such as the UFC, are only applying for P-1 visas for a couple of months to cover single events. 

Another great candidate for 5 year P-1 visas are persons that already compete in major tournaments of individual based sports. This includes sports like golf and tennis, where there is the PGA tour and major tennis tournaments. If the athlete has already competed in these events before, there is a great chance of approval.

Why are 3 year visas the best option for first time applicants in most circumstances?

USCIS is very tough on adjudicating the itineraries of P-1 applications. Our law office has filed several lawsuits over this issue. USCIS tends to adjudicate petitions for 5 year visas much tougher than visas for 3 years. This is problematic because it is easier to show that a petition does not have enough evidence to support 5 years of activity. This is why most athletes who have not already competed in major tournaments, major league seasons, or signed with world recognized employers. 

How do first time P-1S applications interact with first time P-1 visas? 

Please visit this link for an explanation of P-1S visa time lengths. First time applicants get one year and then can easily renew for the full length of the underlying principal visa application.

https://www.sherrodsportsvisas.com/p1s-essential-support-staff-visas-work