Sherrod Sports Visas has successfully petitioned for an O-1 visa for one of the best amateur basketball players in the world who is projected to be a top ten draft pick in two years. Obtaining proper access and authorization to the United States can be a tricky ordeal for foreign basketball players because of the unique details of timing, school, and the nature of the activity they are performing in the United States.

Here are list of common issues facing international basketball players who want to come to the United States:

Timing: In order to qualify as an international player and maintain eligibility to play in a United States high school or college, the player must maintain amateur status, which can be complicated. Here is a link to further information on the NBA international player rule: https://www.sherrodsportsvisas.com/p1-visas-news-updates/international-player-rule-nba-4-possible-visa-options

School: In order to attend school while pursuing a career in the NBA, the international basketball player needs a visa that will last long enough to stay in the United States for the duration, and permit the athlete to attend school. An O-1 athlete can attend school full-time as long as this does not affect the purpose of the visa. For example, if the player is still able to play and train for basketball at an elite level, it is possible to still attend school full-time. 

Only coming to the United States to train or play in school: If an athlete is only coming to train or play in a scholastic capacity, the P-1 visa may not be appropriate since they are not competing in an event that requires international participation. Thus, the O-1 visa is more appropriate because the work authorization for the visa allows an athlete to only come train in the United States to compete elsewhere such as a professional league overseas or the NBA Academy. 

This particular petition was for an athlete who was unsure whether they were going to compete in high school basketball or attend an NBA Academy, but the athlete for sure wanted to train for basketball in the United States. The O-1 petition was perfect because all of these activities are supported in the itinerary for the petition. In addition, the family of the athlete is able to come to the United States as well. His father will receive an O-2 visa as a support coach for the athlete and his mother and siblings will receive an O-3 derivative visa of the O-2 essential support staff visa.

“The O-1 visa is perfect for foreign national basketball players and their management team,” partner Sherrod Seward says. “The basketball player will have all options available to them, be in the United States to work out for NBA teams, and the athlete will not have to wait for a visa to take advantage of short-notice opportunities.”

Our law firm is consistently pursuing solutions for the world’s best athletes and we are purposeful about being the go-to resource for international basketball players. To learn more about the visa options for international basketball players, please call us at 310-209-8545 or visit our website www.sherrodsportsvisas.com.