Get Endorsed Professional Entertainer Application

The P-1 entertainment visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals who are athletes, artists and entertainers to enter into the U.S. for a specific event, competition or performance. The P-1 Visa classifications cover individuals who compete at an internationally recognized level.

The majority of artists typically apply for either the O-1 or P-1 visa to work in the US. These are temporary visas, with any permission granted to enter the United States time restricted, typically in line with the period required to carry out the performances.

The most important thing is to have a skill or talent that an audience will enjoy. You do not need formal qualifications, although you may find it useful to have trained in music, dance or acting, perhaps from taking a performing arts course or graded exams.

A common work visa for musicians is the O-1B visa. Most famously, Justin Bieber (a Canadian national) held this visa for a long time while living and working as an artist in the U.S. The O-1B visa is intended for individuals who have extraordinary ability in their field, which may include the arts.

For artists and entertainers, the specific visa necessary is the O-1B. To apply for an O-1B visa, a U.S. employer or agent, or a foreign employer through a U.S. agent, should file the appropriate form on your behalf. (If you're the employer or agent, your attorney will handle this for you.)

P visa is a type of temporary employment visa of the United States, granted to alien athletes, artists, and entertainers, and their spouses and children. The term "P" refers to 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(P), Section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Entertainers perform live for audiences in a range of artistic and creative works, including theatre, dance, comedy, circus and music. They write and rehearse routines, develop characters, performance styles or other talents, create costumes and props to accompany their act, and perform the act live.

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 noncommercial nature.