Tackling Visa Challenges in the NFL: The Power of Agent-Based Visa Petitions
Hi, I’m Sherrod Seward with Sherrod Sports Visas, and today I want to discuss a pressing issue that has long affected foreign-born NFL players: visa complications. While we’ve had some success addressing these challenges, the struggle continues, especially as international players fight to stay in the game. The NFL is already tough to break into, and visa issues only make it harder for talented players from abroad.
The Harsh Reality of NFL Rosters and Visas
Making an NFL roster is a monumental achievement. During the preseason, teams can carry up to 90 players, but by the regular season, that number drops to around 50. For foreign-born players, this means their time on the team may be short-lived—sometimes just weeks or even days. When these players are cut, their visa situation becomes precarious. The P-1 visa, commonly used by professional athletes, is tied directly to employment with the team. If a player is no longer on the roster, their visa status is in jeopardy, potentially forcing them to leave the country.
Even if players manage to stay by switching to a visitor visa or another status, they face a disadvantage. If an opportunity arises to rejoin a team, the visa situation can delay their return. Teams are unlikely to hold a roster spot while a player sorts out their visa, leaving many talented athletes sidelined.
The Potential of Agent-Based Visa Petitions in Esports and the NFL
This is where Agent-Based Visa Petitions in Esports and the NFL could make a significant impact. Instead of relying solely on a team to sponsor a player’s visa, their agent could petition on their behalf. This change would allow players to remain in the country on a P-1 visa, ready to step back onto the field as soon as a new opportunity arises.
For instance, we successfully helped a player who was cut from the LA Chargers secure a three-year P-1 visa within just five days. This visa allowed him to sign with multiple teams over its duration. However, the USCIS later attempted to revoke his visa, mistakenly assuming he was no longer on a team—a quick Google search would have revealed otherwise.
Another challenge is with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), which typically provides consultation letters confirming a player’s skill level. These letters are crucial for visa petitions, but the NFLPA has been hesitant to issue them for players not currently signed to a team. Even when issued, the letters often lack the necessary language to support an agent-based visa petition effectively.
The Advantages of the O-1 Visa
While the P-1 visa is valuable, the O-1 visa offers even greater flexibility, especially within an Agent-Based Visa Petition in Esports or NFL structure. The O-1 visa, designed for individuals with extraordinary ability, isn’t limited to just competing. It allows players to be paid for training, promotional activities, and more—making it ideal for athletes between teams or in transitional phases of their careers.
The O-1 visa’s broader range of acceptable activities also helps mitigate the risk of USCIS revoking the visa when a player isn’t actively competing, providing much-needed stability.
Pushing for Change in the NFL
As the NFL preseason approaches, we’re working to educate teams and the NFLPA on the benefits of Agent-Based Visa Petitions in Esports and the NFL. Our goal is to demonstrate how this system can benefit everyone—not just the players, but the teams and the league as a whole. By embracing agent-based petitions, we can help secure multi-year P-1 and O-1 visas, giving players the stability they need to focus on their careers without constant visa concerns.
Contact Us for the big step into your career
We’re hopeful that with support from the NFLPA and the teams, we can make this vision a reality. It’s time to modernize the visa process and make the NFL more accessible to international talent. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to push this initiative forward.