Apply for a P Visa in Calgary, AB

The immigration consultants at Pilkington Immigration – Calgary can assist Canadian citizens with obtaining a P visa in Calgary, AB. The P-1 visa classification applies to individuals coming to the United States temporarily to perform at a specific athletic competition as an athlete, individually, or as part of a group or team at an internationally recognized level of performance.

Requirements for Obtaining a P-1 Visa

For use of a P-1 visa, individuals must be coming to the U.S. to participate in an individual event, competition, or performance in which they are internationally recognized with a high level of achievement. This should be evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition substantially above that ordinarily encountered so that the achievement is renowned, leading, or well known in more than one country.

Teams must be coming to the U.S. to participate in team events and must have achieved significant international recognition in the sport. The event where a team is participating must be distinguished and require athletic teams of international recognition.

It is necessary to have either a copy of the contract with a major U.S. sports league or team, or a contract in an individual sport commensurate with international recognition in the sport, or documentation of at least two of the following:

• Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season with a major U.S. sports league

• Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in international competition with national team

• Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season for a U.S. college or university in intercollegiate competition

• A written statement from an official of a major U.S. sports league or an official of the governing body of the sport which details how the individual or the team is internationally recognized

• A written statement from a member of the sports media or a recognized expert in the sport which details how the individual or the team is internationally recognized

• Evidence that the individual or the team is ranked if the sport has international rankings

• Evidence that the individual or the team has received a significant honor or award in the sport

P-2 Visas: Participants in Reciprocal Exchange Programs

P-2 visas are available to artists or entertainers, either individually or as part of a group, who come to the U.S. to perform under a reciprocal exchange program between the U.S. and one or more other countries. All essential support personnel are included in this visa. The applicant must prove the program's legitimacy by presenting a formal, written exchange agreement. In addition, a labor union in the U.S. must have either been involved in the negotiation of the exchange or have agreed to it. The U.S. individual or group being exchanged must have skills and terms of employment comparable to the person or group coming to the U.S.

P-3 Visas: Culturally Unique Groups

P-3 visas are available to artists or entertainers who come to the U.S., either individually or as part of a group, to develop, interpret, represent, teach, or coach in a program that is considered culturally unique. The program may be of either a commercial or non-commercial nature. The P-3 applicant must be coming to the U.S. to participate in a cultural event or events that will further the understanding or development of an art form. In addition, the employer will have to submit on the applicant's behalf:

• Statements from recognized experts showing the authenticity of the person or group’s skills in performing, presenting, coaching, or teaching the unique or traditional art form and showing the basis of knowledge of the person or group’s skill, or

• Evidence that the person or group’s art form is culturally unique, as shown by reviews in newspapers, journals, or other published materials, and that the performance will be culturally unique

Essential support personnel of P-3 aliens should also request classification under the P-3 category. The documentation for P-3 support personnel should include:

• A consultation from a labor organization with expertise in the area of the applicant’s skill

• A statement describing why the support person has been essential in the past, critical skills, and experience with the principal applicant

• A copy of the written contract or a summary of the terms of the oral agreement between the applicant and the employer

Support Personnel for P-1, P-2, and P-3 Visa Holders

Highly skilled, essential persons who are an integral part of the performance of a P-1, P-2, or P-3 visa holder may also be granted P visas, with the same visa designation as the primary U.S. visa holder. These persons must perform support services that cannot be readily performed by a U.S. worker and that are essential to the successful performance of services by the P-1, P-2, or P-3 visa holder. The support person must have appropriate qualifications to perform the services, critical knowledge of the specific services to be performed, and experience in providing such support to the P-1, P-2, or P-3 visa holder.

Contact Pilkington Immigration – Calgary to Apply for Your P Visa

The immigration consultants at Pilkington Immigration – Calgary are standing by to assist you with the process of determining whether you qualify for, applying for, and obtaining your P visa. We will review the necessary steps, the expected P-1 visa duration, and any other information you require. Contact us today to request a free five-minute consultation!