Sports Immigration Lawyers Association
Sherrod Sports Visas is proud to announce that Managing Member, Sherrod Seward, was published in the latest EDITION of AILA’s 2020 Treatise on immigration options for Artists, Entertainers, and Athletes.
Immigration Information for Athletes and Coaches
Sherrod Sports Visa USA is a premier sports-based immigration information service with offices in Los Angeles, CA; Washington, DC; and Charlotte, NC. Our professionals and partners are some of the most knowledgeable resources in the world for athletes, coaches, and sports executives to receive United States work authorization. For full service to sports and esports clients, Sherrod Sports Visas consults O-1, P-1 and EB-1 for athletes; O-1, P-1S, and O-2 visas for coaches and essential support people. Sherrod Sports Visas is your best resource for all sports-related immigration information to the United States.
➤ LOCATION
Washington, DC Office
Office Line: 202-903-2404
1717 N Street NW STE 1Washington, DC 20036 Charlotte, NC Office
Office Line: (704) 243-5780
5309 Monroe Rd Suite 118Charlotte, NC 28205Los Angeles, CA Office
Office Line: 310-209-8545
1801 Century Park East25th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90067 
P-1A Visa Eligibility Factors
National team experience consisting with significant contributions
Consultation letter from the national governing body that describes the accomplishments of the beneficiary
NCAA varsity experience with significant contributions
Reputable International Rankings
Being signed to a US Major League team in the previous season
Letters from industry experts and other high level athletes
Significant Awards
and
Schedule of events in the United States that enjoy an international reputation
Visas for Athletes
Our P-1 Visa attorneys help athletes from all over the world to obtain the proper work authorization to train, compete, and do other activities within the United States.
P-1: P-1 visas are appropriate for most athletes and some coaches to train or compete in the United States. Obtaining and maintaining work authorization is essential for a foreign athlete to remain in the United States.
O-1: O-1 visas are appropriate for many athletes, most coaches, and other support staff who have risen to the top of their respective fields.
B-1/B-2: Visitor visas are appropriate for athletes who are coming solely to the United States to perform non-paying activities. These visas are not appropriate for athletes who will be paid for their services
EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 Visas are green card categories for athletes.
Sports industry professionals and investors can obtain visas for work authorization and flexibility to travel in and out of the United States.
O-1: These visas are appropriate for creatives and sports business persons who are among the best their field.
P-1S: Certain sports industry professionals can qualify as essential support staff of a P-1 visa holder.
E-1: Sports business professionals who do regular business with the United States may be eligible for a bilateral trade investment visa depending on their nationality.
L-1: Foreign business owners and their employees may qualify for an intra-company transfer visa if they open or already own a subsidiary in the US.
O-1A Visa Eligibility Factors
One significant international award (e.g. Olympic medal or world championship)
Or three of the following factors:
Significant national and international awards
Judging and evaluating the work of others
Favorable and detailed support letters from experts, other high level athletes, and media insiders
Special contribution of techniques, coaching methods, and more
Beneficiary writing scholarly articles
Membership of a prestigious organization
Publications and articles that speak about the beneficiary
High salary compared to other athletes or professionals in the same sport
Previous employment in a critical or essential capacity
Visas for Coaches
Coaches, trainers, and essential support staff require work authorization visas to apply their craft in the United States.
P-1S: These visas are appropriate for coaches, trainers, supporters, and business managers of P-1 visas holders.
O-1: Most coaches do not qualify for P-1 visas unless they work for a major sports league. The O-1 visa is the appropriate visa for coaches, trainers, and other people who support athletes to work in the United States
EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 Visas are green card categories for coaches.
Visas for Agents & Managers
Agents and managers of foreign athletes who compete in the United States can obtain work authorization visas that permit easy travel in and out of the United States.
O-1: Managers and agents with proven track records and awards may be eligible for the O-1 extraordinary ability visa.
P-1S: Managers and agents of P-1 visa holders may be eligible to obtain P-1S visas as essential support staff.
E-1: Depending on nationality, agents and managers of athletes who regularly compete in the United States may be eligible for a bilateral trade investment visa depending on their nationality.
L-1: Agencies, management teams, and their employees may qualify for an intra-company transfer visa if they open or already own a subsidiary in the United States.