3-Year O-1A Received for Rookie Football Athlete Invited to an NFL Training Camp
O-1A visas allow foreign-born football players work authorization to play or train in the United States regardless of if they are currently on a National Football League (“NFL”) roster. Foreign football players consistently face issues having long-term success in the United States because their work authorization is tied to the team and they are then often cut from the team. When a work visa is authorized through a football team, that status ends when the contract ends. Sherrod Sports Visas is proud to report a successful O-1A extraordinary ability visa for an athlete who recently graduated from college and was invited to an NFL training camp.
The athlete’s visa was actually petitioned for by an entertainment company, and the work authorization will allow the athlete to serve as an executive with the entertainment company and compete in football at the same time and on the same visa. This is very different from the usual immigration pathway for football players that involves the NFL team petitioning for a P-1 visa for the athlete.
The advantages of international football player’s obtaining their visas through a third party include the following:
No interruption to work authorization for multiple years.
They are available to play for any team at any time and do not need to change visa status.
They have work authorization to do other related work to support themselves while training.
This is a great pathway for the athlete to obtain a self-sponsored EB-1A visa.
The very first issue we had to conquer was getting a visa without a consultation letter from the National Football League Players’ Association. This organization only issues letters for athletes currently on a roster. We were able to navigate this issue through the following explanation:
ADVISORY OPINION
The NFL Players Association only issues letters for players currently under contract with an NFL official player contact. There is not another category that is appropriate for this beneficiary. Evidence of this assertion is included with this petition.
As there is no peer group/labor organization for Professional Football Kickers not affiliated with the NFLPA, we submit multiple laudatory letters pursuant to [8 C.F.R. § 214.2(o)(5)(i)] Consultation. (i) General (A) Consultation with an appropriate U.S. peer group (which could include a person or persons with expertise in the field), labor and/or management organization regarding the nature of the work to be done and the alien’s qualifications is mandatory before a petition for an O-1 or O-2 classification can be approved.
The next issue was proving eligibility for an extraordinary ability visa for an athlete who has never played professional football. Below is a summary of some of the arguments we used to be successful.
EVIDENCE THAT THE ATHLETE HAS PERFORMED IN AN ESSENTIAL OR CRITICAL CAPACITY FOR ORGANIZATIONS OR ESTABLISHMENTS THAT HAVE A DISTINGUISHED REPUTATION
As one of the most essential players in football, a kicker serves in a critical capacity for a football team in that their kicks can make or break a team’s score and can be instrumental in winning or losing a game. We were able to use his play in college, invitation to special kicking camps, combine invitation, and a few other opportunities for this category.
PUBLISHED MATERIAL ABOUT THE ATHLETE IN PROFESSIONAL OR MAJOR TRADE PUBLICATIONS OR OTHER MAJOR MEDIA, RELATING TO HIS WORK IN THE FIELD FOR WHICH CLASSIFICATION IS SOUGHT
The athlete is one of those rare talents, one of the few who have garnered immense success and adulation as a talent to be reckoned with. He has garnered a reputation as one of the best football kickers in the industry. Thus, he and his kicking talents have been featured in major industry publications and major media across the United States and other countries . We featured his articles in these publications along with guiding context and proving viewership information for each article used.
DOCUMENTATION OF ATHLETE’S RECEIPT OF LESSER NATIONALLY OR INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PRIZES OR AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN HIS FIELD OF ENDEAVOR
The athlete has been recognized internationally in the football industry in the United States and another country receiving numerous press for his distinction in the field in major publications from these countries. As demonstrated in his Wikipedia results, numerous laudatory letters attesting to his prizes and awards and leading and critical roleand extensive press about him and his achievements as a football kicker for prestigious organizations, he has gained international notoriety and reached the top in the football industry. Summarized below are these prizes/awards for excellence in his field. These awards, nominations, and invitations to take part in prestigious events for distinguished football organizations and teams include winning a National High School level award, and being selected for a full scholarship to play with a prestigious NCAA team, garnering an honors his football conference, being selected to participate in prestigious training camps where only the best of the best are invited, and being selected to play in the preeminent all-star level..
COMPARABLE EVIDENCE – EVIDENCE OF THE DISPLAY OF THE ATHLETE’S WORK AT FOOTBALL EXHIBITIONS AND SHOWCASES
As a football kicker of significant recognition, the athlete has played an essential role in numerous games. He has been invited to the most recognized training camp for kicking and punting in the United States where only the best in the industry participate. As the lead football kicker for his NCAA team, the athlete has exhibited his extraordinary talents in a plethora of games across the United States and earlier in his career in another country.
O-1A For Foreign Football Players
Sherrod Sports Visas will continue to advocate with both the NFL and foreign football leagues for the value of obtaining O-1A visas to help more talent consistently make NFL rosters. We are always available for consultations to discuss O-1A visas for football players – please contact us at 310-209-8545 for updates.