The P-1 visa is given to an individual, a team athlete or the members of a group that has received international recognition.
An employer must sponsor the person or group that has been granted this document.
Furthermore, the appropriate labor group must be contacted, before this visa as been awarded to anybody.
In addition, the employer must get an advisory opinion from a consulting agency.
That opinion should indicate that the athlete or entertainment group that is seeking one of the P-1 visas has no peer, within the United States.
After having satisfied that requirement, the employer must complete and file a Form I-129 and a Form I-129O/P.
During the filing of such Forms, employers are also expected to pay to the Department of State (DOS) the $300 fee.
Once that fee has been paid, the employer's job is finished.
At that point, the athlete or entertainer can proceed to the next step.
That involves downloading the Forms DS-178 and DS-157.
Once those two forms have been downloaded, each of them must be completed and submitted to the DOS.
At that time, another fee, the processing fee must also be paid.
The applicant should receive confirmation of the fact that the completed Forms and the fee have been given to the DOS.
The applicant may also get other instructions from the Embassy.
He or she will certainly be scheduled for an interview.
Once that interview has been completed, the desired visa should be sent-out in about 3 days.
After an athlete or an entertainer has received that issued document, he or she is free to enjoy certain privileges.
For example, he or she can perform and receive a payment or a prize.
He or she can engage in part time study, while in the visited country.
Moreover, he or she can apply for certain visas, namely those that can be used by any needed personnel and those that can be used by any dependents.
The visa-holder can enjoy each of those privileges for up to five years.
In addition, he or she can enjoy the time spent with family members.
However, there are certain limitations placed on such privileged individuals.
If the visa-holder wants to have multiple employers, then he or she must arrange for each of those employers to file a separate I-129.
Moreover, the visa-holder's dependents cannot work while in the United States, all though they are free to engage in some form of study.
If you want more detailed information on the visa and whether you can qualify for it, it is best to contact an immigration attorney who is well-versed in the laws and regulations dealing with it.
You can contact a lawyer that deals with and has extensive experience in successfully helping people get the relevant visas.
Ask your friends and family for references and then seek an appointment with the lawyer to discuss your case.