Why Choose Sherrod Sports Visas for your P-1, O-1 and/or EB-1A Visa Petition?

Premier Sports Immigration Lawyers for P-1, O-1 & EB-1A Visas

Sherrod Sports Visas is one of the only law firms in the world that exclusively focuses on P-1, O-1 & Eb-1A visas for the world’s best athletes and coaches. Our dedication to the precise practice of sports based immigration to the United States allows for us to be on the cutting edge of best practice for visa application approvals. Our methods, visa petition structure & eligibility arguments are respected and sought out by immigration attorneys around the world. In fact, our attorneys are often invited to speak at the premier conferences for both sports business and immigration industries. 

What Does this mean for our P-1, O-1 & EB-1A Visa Clients? 

This means that our clients also share this unique advantage of our knowledge and experience in every petition we submit. Sherrod Sports Visas carefully tailors our P-1, O-1 and EB-1A petitions to counter and predict challenges from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) and avoid costly mistakes that come from inexperience. 

In short, we help our clients put their best foot forward in each petition. We are also very helpful to corporate clients for long term and consistent needs for the top talent in the world. Our past performance includes successful federal litigation and Presidential National Exemption Waivers for sports leagues. 

What Category of Sports Immigration Visa do I need? P-1, P-1S, O-1, O-2 or EB-1A?

P-1 and O-1 visas are the most common non-immigrant visa category for athletes and sports related petitions. Non-immigrant visa means that the visa category does not come with permanent residence.  EB-1A visas are the most common for world class athletes and coaches, these visas do offer an option for Permanent Residence (“Green Card ''). 

The visa type that is most appropriate for the client greatly depends on the title of the applicant, the background of the applicant, and what the applicant will be doing over the validity period of the P-1 or O-1 Visa. 

What is the visa most appropriate for Athletes? P-1 or O-1 Visa? 

P-1A Visas for Athletes

The most common visa category for athletes is the P-1A visa. This visa allows for athletes to obtain work authorization to compete in events that require the participation of internationally recognized athletes. This visa category is not available for coaches unless they are associated with a major league such as the NFL, NBA, MLS etc. 

The P-1 Visa has easier and more objective requirements than the O-1 and is typically easier for an athlete to be eligible. However, in order for the P-1 to be successful, the applicant must also have a proposed itinerary full of events that require the participation of internationally recognized athletes. If the athlete does not plan to compete at a very high level of competition, it may be best to pursue the O-1A visa. 

O-1A Visas for Athletes

O-1A Visas are appropriate for athletes that will be doing more than just competing and/or the competitions they will be competing in, are not very prestigious. Athletes that also coach, create podcasts, clothing lines, open gyms, and do other activities besides just compete may need the O-1A visa. The O-1A visa is much more difficult to obtain due to the subjective nature of the eligibility requirements. 

The O-1A visa allows for greater flexibility for work authorization than the P-1 visa when structured properly. The O-1A is also a better transition to permanent residence than the P-1 visa because the categories for eligibility between the O-1A and the EB-1A are very similar. 

What is the appropriate sports based visa for Coaches? O-1 or Essential Support Staff

O-1A and O-1B Visas for Coaches, Managers, Agents & Other Sports Professionals

Coaches that are not associated with major league sports are not eligible to obtain P-1A visas like athletes. The most appropriate visa for coaches is the O-1A visa and offers the best work authorization ability.  

P-1S and O-2 Essential Support Visas for Coaches, Managers, Agents & Other Sports Professionals

For coaches that may not be eligible for an O-1A Visa, the next best option is an essential support visa under the P-1S or O-2 category. In this scenario, there needs to be a principal person on an P-1 or an O-1 visa and then the coach/staff applies for P-1S or O-2 as essential support staff. 

How to I obtain a P-1 or O-1 Visa if I am already in the United States

The process to obtain a P-1 or O-1 visa depends on if  a person is in the United States on a visa or on a ESTA Visa Waiver 

Changing Visa Status to P-1 or O-1 when already in the United States on another visa category

Applicants that are in the United States AND on another visa status can change their status to the desired P-1 and O-1 Visa. The applicant would need to make sure their case is received before the other status expires. If the applicant is able to get the petition received in time, they may remain in the United States while the visa application is pending, even if the original petition expired. 

Once the visa is approved, the applicant is now in the new visa status and can use their approval notice to obtain a social security card and driver's license. 

Changing Visa Status to P-1 or O-1 when in the United States on an ESTA Visa Waiver

For persons in the United States under an ESTA visa waiver, the option to change status is unavailable. This is because ESTA visa waiver is the privilege to come to the United States without obtaining a visa first. These persons came to the United States without a visa so there is no visa to change status from. These persons will have to obtain an interview or waiver for an interview to change into the new status. Eitherway, they will have to leave the United States and reenter under the new status. There is no way to change status from ESTA to a visa and remain the whole time in the United States. The applicant must leave the country.

What is the application process for P-1 and O-1 Visas if I am outside of the United States

Persons outside of the United States will have to go to the consular process at the US Embassy outside of the United States to obtain the visa status. This process starts with filling out a DS-160 application online and utilizing the appointment setting portal at the consulate of choice to schedule a visa interview. Keep in mind that finding a consulate to do a timely interview can be very difficult. Often consulates have dates that are very far away, are closed, or do not accept third country nationals. 

Interview Waivers for P-1 and O-1 Visas

Some consulates do have the option to waive the interview. In these circumstances, the passport is mailed to the consulate which applies the visa to the passport and makes it available for pickup or mailing without doing the interview. Most often this is only available in certain countries for nationals of those countries who have already traveled to the United States in the past under a visa or ESTA visa waiver. 

Self Service or Firm Service for Consular Processing P-1 and O-1 Visas

Our firm gives clients the option to self-consulate or utilize our consular processing services to schedule a visa interview. Our services include filling in the DS-160, scheduling the interview, requesting interview waivers, requesting urgent expedites, and providing the appointment packages. To get started with consular processing, please visit our website https://www.sherrodsportsvisas.com/consularservices

How Long does it take to obtain a P-1 or O-1 Visa?

The complete process for obtaining a P-1 or O-1 visa can range from a few days to over a year depending on the circumstances. The circumstances that drive the processing time include responsiveness of clients during the drafting phase, the method of application processing, the location of the client, and choice of services for consular processing. 

Methods of Application Processing for O-1 and P-1 Visa Applications

P-1 and O-1 visas can be filed under regular processing or premium processing. The difference is the amount of government fees paid to process the application. Visas filed under regular processing average adjudication responses in 3-5 months, however sometimes the responses come within a few days and we have some that take over a year. Regular processing fees for P-1 and O-1 visas are $460 dollars. 

Premium Processing Option for P-1 and O-1A Visas

For an additional $2500 (As of July 20, 2022), applicants can add premium processing to their application. Premium processing can be added to a petition at the time of filing or after filing. This option places a requirement upon USCIS to make responses on visa applications within 15 business days. In addition, the application is eligible for communication by email and fax to USCIS which can save a lot of time. 

It is important to remember that responses do not have to be an approval, a response could be a request for more evidence which reset the clock for responding once a response is received. This is how a case can be pending for a very long time under regular processing. 

Changing Status versus Consular Processing of P-1 and O-1 Visas

If a person is already inside the United States, changing status to a P-1 visa can take a couple of days. If outside the United States this process is extended because the applicant would still have to consular process their visa to have the new status applied to their passport. 

What happens after I am approved for my P-1 or O-1 Visa?

After your visa is approved, both our office and the petitioner will receive an I-797 notice of approval. If you are in the United States and on a visa, then you have now successfully changed status to the new P or O visa category. You can use the original approval notice to obtain a social security number and also pursue a valid drivers license. 

For clients outside the United States or Clients that are in the United States on ESA Visa waivers, consular processing is necessary. These persons must follow consular processing procedures in order to obtain the required visa status. At the interview, the applicant should have time to request a social security number and save the hassle of doing it in the United States.