Why Choose innovative Immigration Law
We’re here to help you achieve your immigration goals. We’ll work with you to understand your options and develop a plan that’s right for you. We’ll be there every step of the way, so you can feel confident and secure throughout the process.
Innovative Immigration Law is one of the only law firms in the world that exclusively focuses on P-1, O-1 & Eb-1A visas for the world’s best athletes and coaches. Our dedication to the precise practice of sports based immigration to the United States allows for us to be on the cutting edge of best practice for visa application approvals. Our methods, visa petition structure & eligibility arguments are respected and sought out by immigration attorneys around the world. In fact, our attorneys are often invited to speak at the premier conferences for both sports business and immigration industries.
What Does This Mean For Our P-1, O-1 & EB-1A Visa Clients?
Our clients also share this unique advantage of our knowledge and experience in every petition we submit. Sherrod Sports Visas carefully tailor our P-1, O-1, and EB-1A petitions to counter and predict challenges from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) and avoid costly mistakes from inexperience.
In short, we help our clients put their best foot forward in each petition. We are also very helpful to corporate clients for long-term and consistent needs for the top talent in the world. Our past performance includes successful federal litigation and Presidential National Exemption Waivers for sports leagues.
P-1 and O-1 visas are the most common non-immigrant visa category for athletes and sports-related petitions. Non-immigrant visa means that the visa category does not come with permanent residence. EB-1A visas are the most common for world-class athletes and coaches, and these visas do offer an option for Permanent Residence (“Green Card ”).
The visa type that is most appropriate for the client dramatically depends on the title of the applicant, the background of the applicant, and what the applicant will be doing over the validity period of the P-1 or O-1 Visa.
P-1A Visas For Athletes
The most common visa category for athletes is the P-1A visa. This visa allows athletes to obtain work authorization to compete in events that require the participation of internationally recognized athletes. This visa category is only available for coaches associated with a significant league such as the NFL, NBA, MLS, etc.
The P-1 Visa has more specific and objective requirements than the O-1 and is typically easier for an athlete to qualify for. However, for the P-1 to be successful, the applicant must also have a proposed itinerary full of events requiring internationally recognized athletes’ participation. If the athlete does not plan to compete at a very high level of competition, it may be best to pursue the O-1A visa.
O-1A Visas For Athletes
O-1A Visas are appropriate for athletes doing more than just competing, and the competitions they will be competing in are not very prestigious. Athletes who coach, create podcasts, clothing lines, open gyms, and do other activities besides competing may need the O-1A visa. The O-1A visa is much more difficult to obtain due to the subjective nature of the eligibility requirements.
The O-1A visa allows for greater flexibility for work authorization than the P-1 visa when appropriately structured. The O-1A is also a better transition to permanent residence than the P-1 visa because the categories for eligibility between the O-1A and the EB-1A are very similar.
O-1A And O-1B Visas For Coaches, Managers, Agents & Other Sports Professionals
Coaches not associated with major league sports are not eligible to obtain P-1A visas like athletes. The most appropriate for coaches is the O-1A visa, which offers the best work authorization ability.
P-1S And O-2 Essential Support Visas For Coaches, Managers, Agents & Other Sports Professionals
For coaches that may not be eligible for an O-1A Visa, the next best option is an essential support visa under the P-1S or O-2 category. In this scenario, there needs to be a principal person on a P-1 or an O-1 ticket, and then the coach/staff applies for P-1S or O-2 as essential support staff.
How To I Obtain A P-1 Or O-1 Visa If I Am Already In The United States
The Process To Obtain A P-1 Or O-1 Visa Depends On If A Person Is In The United States On A Visa Or On A ESTA Visa Waiver
Applicants in the United States AND on another visa status can change their status to the desired P-1 and O-1 Visa. The applicant must ensure their case is received before the other status expires. If the applicant can receive the petition in time, they may remain in the United States while the visa application is pending, even if the original petition has expired.
Once the visa is approved, the applicant is in the new visa status and can use their approval notice to obtain a social security card and driver’s license.
O-1A And O-1B Visas For Coaches, Managers, Agents & Other Sports Professionals
Coaches not associated with major league sports are not eligible to obtain P-1A visas like athletes. The most appropriate for coaches is the O-1A visa, which offers the best work authorization ability.
P-1S And O-2 Essential Support Visas For Coaches, Managers, Agents & Other Sports Professionals
For coaches that may not be eligible for an O-1A Visa, the next best option is a necessary support visa under the P-1S or O-2 category. In this scenario, there needs to be a principal person on a P-1 or an O-1 ticket, and then the coach/staff applies for P-1S or O-2 as essential support staff.
The option to change status is unavailable for persons in the United States under an ESTA visa waiver. This is because an ESTA visa waiver is the privilege to come to the United States without obtaining a visa first. These persons came to the United States without a visa, so there is no visa to change their status. These persons will have to obtain an interview or waiver for an interview to adjust to the new status. Either way, they must leave the United States and reenter the latest status. There is no way to change status from ESTA to a visa and remain in the United States the whole time. The applicant must leave the country.
Let Us Help You, Your Immigration, & Your Family
We understand that immigration can be a complex and stressful process. That’s why we’re here to help you every step of the way. We’ll work with you to understand your individual needs and goals, and we’ll develop a personalized plan to help you achieve them. We’re here to provide you with the peace of mind you need so you can focus on what’s important: your future