Sherrod Sports Visas are industry leaders in USA mobility and immigration assistance to horse racers, horse trainers, and equestrian business people from all over the world. Our extensive experience in equine related ventures allows us to deliver comprehensive immigration planning to individuals and stables. 

For convenience to our equestrian customers, we have a dedicated team of petition drafters that keep up to date knowledge of trends in internationally recognized equine events USCIS adjudication of P visa, O visa, and EB-1A visa categories. 

Our experience in equine sports span the breath of the industry as we support Barrel Racers, Harness Racers, Jockeys, Reigners, and all the sports in between. Our experience with staff persons spans from trainers and jockeys to stable owners, horseshoe makers, and equine specialist (for example a specialist that tends to horses with mental health issues)

O-1 and P-1 Visa Options for Riders and Jockeys

P-1 visas are the most common visa category for Riders and Jockeys looking to compete in the United States. The P-1 visa is appropriate for internationally recognized riders and jockeys that are coming to compete in events that require the participation of internationally recognized athletes. 

In order to qualify for the P-1 visa, the applicant must have significant experience and results in their sport, be coming only to compete in competitions, and requires a petitioner (www.oaklg.com/petitioner)

The O-1 visa is appropriate for riders and jockeys that have risen to the top of their field of competition and can come to the United States to do more than competitions. In fact, on an O-1A visa, the rider or jockey does not have to compete at all.

On the O-1A visa, with appropriate petition language and structure, applicants are permitted to do any job actively remotely related to horse training or the business of horse training such as coaching, producing content, opening their own business, etc. 

To qualify for the O-1A, the applicant must present significant evidence of internationally recognized awards, high internationally rankings, media coverage, high compensation and other categories. To qualify for the O-1A, the applicant must satisfy at least 3 of the O-1A categories. 

O-1, P-1S, and O-2 Visa Options for Equestrian Grooms & Trainers

Horse training and racing requires the support of specialists that make a world of difference. Equine sports take considerable investments and the persons that work on the horses can be as important as the riders and jockeys. The most appropriate visa for the grooms, trainers, and other equestrian support staff is the O-1A visa. This is appropriate because the P-1 visa does not work for persons who are not competing in competitions that require the participation of internationally recognized athletes. 

To qualify for the O-1, the applicant must prove three of the O-1 visa categories such as memberships in prestigious organizations, previously employment in a critical capacity, earning high income compared to others and the field. There is also an opportunity to seek alternative categories such as using the success of the horses the applicant helped in the past in the petition. 

However, there is an opportunity for trainers and support staff to take advantage of the essential support categories of P-1S and O-2 if there is someone on staff that already has a P-1 or O-1 visa. These visas are very helpful because they have a much lower standard for eligibility than the O-1. 

O-1 and E-2 Visa Options for Owners and Agents

Owners and Agents are the persons that drive the industry of equine and rodeo sports. There are unique visa solutions that make sense for the owners of stables and racing teams. The most universally appropriate visa category is the O-1A visa as entrepreneurs. Obtaining an O-1A as an owner or agent is very similar to obtaining the O-1 visa as a trainer or groom. 

In addition, there is an opportunity for the owner/agent to pursue an O-2 or P-1S essential support staff visa. This is available if there is someone else in the organization that has a P-1 or O-1 visa. For example if there is a rider that already has a P-1A or trainer on the staff that has an O-1 visa. 

Owners from certain countries also have the opportunity to apply for an E-1 or E-2 treaty investor visa. These visas are triggered by a substantial investment in the United States from a person who hails from a treaty trader country. These visas allow for the owner or agent to stay in the United States on a temporary basis to run their business. One must be careful to make sure the visa reciprocity schedule for their country makes sense for travel back and forth out of the United States. For some countries, the E-2 only allows for 3 months of reciprocity travel while other countries have 5 years of reciprocity travel. 

The best way to get started with pursuing a work visa to support the equine industry is to fill out a candidate sheet. This will be followed by a complimentary consultation with a Senior Attorney. 

Riders and jockeys - www.oaklg.com/athletes

Other Candidates - www.oaklg.com/candidate

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Contact information

Email: info@oaklg.com

Phone: 310-209-8545