UFC Fighter Herbert Burns receives P-1 visa through his Training Facility
Charlotte, NC, USA (September 11, 2018)
Charlotte based Sherrod Sports Visas is pleased to announce a successful P visa petition for martial artist Herbert Burns who will be competing in multiple disciplines for Combat Club in South Florida. The Brazilian fighter obtained a visa through his training facility which will last for more than two years and allow Hebert to compete for multiple organizations and sports using the same employment visa.
This is very different from the typical pathway for a combat sports athlete to receive sponsorship which is a combat sports event promoter. Obtaining a P visa through a training facility contract rather than through a bout contract allows combat sport athletes such as boxers, mixed martial artists, and jiu jitsu competitors to extend the length of their P visa and be flexible to take more opportunities to compete.
Partner, Sherrod Seward, the lead attorney on the case and practice manager for www.sherrodsportsvisas.com pressed the issue with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) to explain the unique needs and requirements of combat sports athletes, especially mixed martial artists, to have an extended period of P visa status and the flexibility to compete for multiple organizations.
“The life of a combat sports athlete, such as a mixed martial artist, boxer, or jiu jitsu athlete does not fit the mold of a typical extended P visa recipient such as an NBA basketball player ,” partner Sherrod Seward says. “We really had to drive the point home to USCIS that the facilities that train these athletes need time and the ability to work with multiple promotions show that their training methods are successful”.
“The flexibility is Amazing“ says Herbert Burns of the Combat Club. “ I am excited that I will get to represent my training facility, Combat Club, in both mixed martial arts, grappling competitions, and other sports with the same visa.” Herbert Burns is one of the premier grapplers in the world who competes in both traditional Brazilian jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts competitions as a professional.
Driving the point to USCIS is an understatement, Sherrod and the team at Sherrod Sports Visas packed the petition with all evidence needed to avoid a rebuttal from USCIS. There was no request for evidence sent by USCIS before this petition was approved. The work was well worth it as Sherrod Sports was able to identify, prepare for, and overcome all of the concerns of USCIS when it comes to training facilities sponsoring combat sports athletes such as boxers, mixed martial artists, and jiu jitsu athletes for years at a time. Herbert Burns was able to compete for the UFC contender series on the visas and be signed to the promotion.