P-2 and P-2 visas are available to individuals looking to travel to the United States temporarily to perform in the entertainment, sporting, or culturally unique industry.
P-2 Visa
The P-2 visa applies to individuals travelling to perform as an artist or entertainer in the US. This can be for travel individually or as part of a group. This visa is usually conducted as a reciprocal exchange program between an organisation in the US and an organisation in another country. As a P-2 visa holder, you must possess skills equivalent to the artists or performers participating in the program outside the US.
The period of stay for the P-2 visa must not exceed 1 year. This is inclusive of the time needed to perform at the event. There is scope for visa extensions for up to 1 year depending on the individual’s eligibility.
If the P-2 visa holder is travelling with a support team, there is a P-2S visa classification available for highly skilled essential support workers. You must be able to demonstrate they are an integral part of the performance.
What is a Reciprocal Exchange Program?
There are currently five P-2 reciprocal agreements available:
- The American Federation of Musicians (U.S.) and the American Federation of Musicians (Canada)
- Actor’s Equity Association (U.S.) and the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
- Actor’s Equity Association (U.S.) and the British Actors’ Equity Association
- The International Council of Air Shows and the Canadian Air Show Association
- The Alliance of Canadian Cinema Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) and the Screen Actor Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)
If you are participating in a reciprocal agreement that has not been listed, you can submit the agreement for review and the USCIS will review it to ensure it meets the relevant standards.
Do I need a Sponsor or US Employer?
Yes. To apply for a P-2 Visa, you must have either:
- A sponsoring labor organisation in the US;
- A US employer
What documentation is required?
P-2 visa holders must provide the following:
- A written consultation by an appropriate labor organisation
- Evidence of the formal reciprocal exchange agreement and the sponsoring US organisation and the foreign organisation that will receive a US artist or entertainer in exchange
- Statement from the sponsoring organization outlining the exchange
- Evidence that you as the P-2 visa holder and the US artist or entertainer possess comparable skills and the employment conditions are similar
- Evidence of the involvement of the relevant labor organisation in negotiating the reciprocal exchange
- Itinerary – if the events are occurring in several areas across the United States
Can my family travel with me as a P-2 Visa Holder?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 are permitted to obtain P-4 visa status. This allows them to attend school or college however they cannot engage in employment.
P-3 Visa
The P-3 visa is for individuals who are temporarily visiting the US to perform, teach or coach as artists or entertainers. This visa type is eligible for entertainers or artists travelling individually or as a group. The need for travel is usually due to a program that is culturally unique.
The period of stay for the P-3 visa must not exceed 1 year. This is inclusive of the time needed to perform at the event. There is scope for visa extensions for up to 1 year depending on the individual’s eligibility.
If the P-3 visa holder is travelling with a support team, there is a P-3S visa classification available for highly skilled essential support workers. You must be able to demonstrate they are an integral part of the performance.
What documentation is required?
P-3 visa holders must provide the following:
- A written consultation by an appropriate labor organisation
- Evidence of the contract or a summary of the terms between the petitioner and the beneficiary
- Explanation of the event and the itinerary
- Evidence in the form of affidavits, testimonials or letters from recognized experts confirming the authenticity of you or your group’s skills or documentation demonstrating the nature of your or your group’s performance as culturally unique
- Documents as evidence of each performance and the nature in which it will be culturally unique
Can my family travel with me as a P-3 Visa Holder?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 are permitted to obtain P-4 visa status. This allows them to attend school or college however they cannot engage in employment.
How to Apply for a P-2/P-3 Visa
Your employer, agent or sponsor must:
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- E-2 Visa
- E-3 Visa
- E-5 Visa
- EB-1 Visa
- EB-1 Visa Processing Time
- EB-2 Visa
- EB-2 Visa Processing Time
- EB-3 Visa
- EB-3 Visa Processing Time
- EB-4 Visa
- EB-4 Visa Processing Time
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- F-1 Visa (Student)
- H-1B Visa
- How to Move to the US from Canada
- J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
- Letter of Invitation
- Multinational Employers & Pathways to Hiring Foreign Skilled Workers
- O-1 Visa
- Places to Travel Without a Passport as a US Citizen
- U.S. Marriage-Based Green Card Process
- US Employer Obligations and Responsibilities
- US visa professional fees
- US Visitor Visas
- USA Student Visa Interview Questions and Answers
