P3 Visa

The P-3 visa category allows artists and entertainers to enter into the U.S. to perform, teach or coach, individually or as part of a group, under a program that is culturally unique.

The artists and/or entertainers must be coming to the U.S. to develop, interpret, represent, coach, or teach a unique or traditional ethnic, fold, cultural, musical, theatrical or artistic performance or presentation which must be aimed at furthering the development and/or understanding of the art form.

The P-3 visa classification may be accorded to individual artists and entertainers or groups who are coming to the U.S. to participate in culturally unique events. Culturally unique broadly refers to art forms, traditions, practices or other activities that can be considered distinct and/or have cultural significance to a community, region, county or ethnic group.

Common examples of a culturally unique program can include:

• Culturally unique music, including songs, musical genres, instruments, etc.
• Culturally unique dance forms, like flamenco from Spain, Bharatanatyam from India, Ori Tahiti from Tahiti, etc.
• Other types of arts including visual arts and other types of performance arts, including theatrical performances

OR

Check My Eligibility

On a P-3 visa, you may:

1. Live and Work in the U.S.: The P-3 is a great option for foreign nationals looking to advance their entertainment careers in the U.S. or spread awareness about their cultures
2. Keep your family together: P-3 holders can bring their spouse and children under 21 to stay with them in the U.S. in P-4 status. P-4 holders can attend school, through university, in the U.S. without restriction.
3. The Petitioner does not have to be an “employer”: Unlike other work visa categories, the P-1 Petition can be filed by a sponsoring organization or employer. This is especially beneficial for artists who are not engaged in “regular” employment.
4. Single Petition for All Group Members: Members of the Entertainment Group can be included on a single petition .
5. Visas for Essential Support Personnel– Essential support personnel of the artists or groups can come to the U.S. on a P-3S visa.

The limitations of P-3 visa are:

1. You may work only for the employer that sponsored you. If you change jobs, you must obtain a new visa
2. P-3 visa petitions cannot be approved until the appropriate labor organization is consulted by the USCIS
3. You may work for multiple employers, however, each employer must file a separate Form I-129
4. Dependents are allowed to stay in the U.S. with you, however they may not work

P-3 status can be granted for up 1 years but is restricted to the duration of time needed to complete the event(s) or activities. P-3 status can be extended in increments of 1 year, indefinitely.

Yes, an extension of stay may be authorized in increments of one year for P-3 status holders, to continue or complete the same event or activity for which you were admitted.

Yes, you may engage in study while in P-1 status as long as it is incidental to your P-3 activities.

No, there are no travel restrictions on a P-3 visa. You may travel outside the U.S. and reenter as many times during the validity period of the P-3 petition as long as you have a valid P-3 visa. If you are Canadian, you may travel outside and reenter the U.S. as long as you have a valid P-3 approval notice.

The petition filed by the employer must include any one of the following:

1. A written consultation from an appropriate labor organization

2. Copies of any written contracts between the employer(s)/agent and yourself. If there is no written contract, a summary of the terms of the oral agreement under which you will be employed

3. Affidavits, testimonials or letters from recognized experts attesting to the authenticity of your skills in performing, presenting, coaching, or teaching the unique or traditional art form. The document must give the credentials of the expert, including the basis of the experts’ knowledge of your skill
Or
Documentation that the performance of the artist or group is culturally unique, as evidenced by reviews in newspapers, journals, or other published materials

4. Evidence that all of the performances or presentations will be culturally unique events

Consultation with an appropriate labor organization is required for P-3 petitions involving foreign nationals in culturally unique programs. If the advisory opinion is favorable to the petitioner, it should

1. Evaluate the cultural uniqueness of the P-3 artist or entertainer’s skills
2. State whether the events are cultural in nature
3. State whether the event or activity is appropriate for P-3 classification

Note: If the advisory opinion is not favorable to the petitioner, it must also set forth a specific statement of facts which support the conclusion reached in the opinion. In lieu of the above, a labor organization may submit a letter of no objection if it has no objection to the approval of the petition.

Yes, you may bring your dependents on a P-4 visa. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old are entitled to the P-4 visa and they can stay as long as you maintain valid P-1 status.

Yes, your dependents may engage in full time study on a P-4 visa.

Yes, you may apply for adjustment of status and lawfully seek to become a legal permanent resident of the U.S.

Note: This provision does not include essential support personnel.