O-1 visa for Volleyball players Sherrod Seward Sports Visa Attorney

Does a volleyball player need an O-1 or a P-1 visa?

For a volleyball player to obtain an O-1 visa, it is necessary for the volleyball player to prove that they are an athlete with extraordinary abilities in their field.  In contrast, P-1 visas are issued to athletes who are visiting the United States for the sole purpose of performing at a specific athletic competition.  The requirements for both O-1 and P-1 visas entails a petition process that includes an application, an itinerary for all events or activities and a consultation letter that provides an advisory opinion.  However, for both visas, foreign volleyball players will have the burden of providing information that supports their case and proves that they meet the required qualifications.

Below is information that will prove helpful for any volleyball players trying to obtain either an O-1 or P-1 visa.

Where to Find Volleyball World Rankings

The International Volleyball Federation (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball – FIVB) is the organization responsible for all forms of volleyball on a global level.  The FIVB is part of the Olympic Movement and contributes to the success of the Olympic games.  Athlete rankings can be found at https://www.fivb.com/en/volleyball/rankings.  These rankings provide the status of the top ranked volleyball players.  When submitting the visa petition, the athlete should explain the significance of the rankings and how they are calculated.

 How to Get a Volleyball Consultation Letter

Consultation letters for volleyball can be obtained from USA Volleyball, the National Governing Body for volleyball within the United States, by emailing them at intltransfers@usav.org.  USA Volleyball’s policy is to assist with visas when there are international volleyball competitions within the United States that are sponsored by FIVB.  In these situations, the preference will be that the volleyball player obtain a P-1 visa since they will be coming for a competition.

Proof of Notoriety through Volleyball Industry Media Publications

Industry media releases and publications are great options to establish eligibility for both O-1 and P-1 visa immigration applications for volleyball players.  The USCIS prefers publications that are wide-reaching and specific to the industry.  The content of the media story should be about the athlete and their accomplishment.  The following are examples of outlets found to be pervasive for the volleyball industry:

  • VolleyballMag.com

  • Bleacher Report

  • Media Releases from official International Olympic Committee websites

Collegiate Volleyball Team Participation

Competing with an NCAA team will meet the criteria for P-1 visa eligibility.  Many foreign athletes receive scholarships to compete on collegiate teams within the United States while getting their education.  However, it is still necessary for the volleyball player to provide pervasive evidence of their membership of their respective team.  Below are examples of what the athlete can provide as adequate documentation to satisfy the criteria:

  • Officer team rosters from the college or university

  • A letter from a member of the coaching staff indicating the important role the athlete played for the team

  • News articles about volleyball competitions

  • Official results from the volleyball competitions

Using Peer Evaluations to Qualify for a Visa

One of the eligibility criteria for an O-1A visa petition allows for a peer evaluation to be submitted in favor of the athlete.  If a volleyball player is a training partner to a world-renowned volleyball player, or training other volleyball players on a voluntary basis, the athlete may be able to satisfy the criteria with a letter from one of them.

Award-Winning Team Membership

Being a member of a national team qualifies as being a member of a prestigious team. Other types of team memberships that qualify would be if the team is all-conference, or award-winning at the collegiate, regional or international level.

Revenue Generated Through Volleyball Activities

One of the ways to meet the criteria for an O-1A visa is a high salary or other remuneration for services.  Other remuneration includes prize money from races, endorsement and sponsorship dollar, and any other revenue-generating activities related to volleyball.  If a volleyball player can show that what they received as payment for participating in the sport is higher than the industry average, this criterion will be met.

Prestigious Employment in a Critical Capacity

A volleyball player can prove themselves worthy of an O-1A visa by showing that they are a critical employee.  This is a viable option for professional athletes who would be considered “championship-level.”  In other words, if the athlete is sponsored by a prestigious brand, or is a world championship level for a management company, this would qualify.

International Event Participation

P-1 visa petitions require that the athletes participate in competitions, events and other activities that require the participation of international athletes.  For volleyball, this can be satisfied with participation in competitions with strict admission requirements for national teams, or competitions with a history of participation by international athletes.  The following competitions would satisfy this requirement:

  • High Performance Championships

  • World Cup

  • World Grand Prix


For more information on how to qualify for an O-1 or P-1 visa as a volleyball player, please contact our office at 310.209.8545.