Embassy of the United States Athens, Greece

If you are a professional entertainer or athlete who is traveling to the United States to perform, you must have a temporary worker visa (P or O visa), regardless of whether or not you will be paid for the performance. A professional entertainer/athlete is defined as someone whose primary source of income and livelihood comes from work as an athlete, musician, singer, actor or other type of performing artist.

O-1 Visas:  The O-1 visa classification provides for the admission into the United States of persons with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business and athletics, or extraordinary achievement in motion picture and television production, and their essential support personnel.

Only individuals qualify for the O-1 visa category. In order for a group to qualify, each member would be required to meet the extraordinary ability test. The visa is granted for a specific event, such as a tour, lecture series or project.

O-2 Visas:  For athletes and members of the entertainment industry, a provision exists whereby aliens, who are an integral part of the performance and have skills and experience which are not available in the United States location, may apply for O-2 visas to accompany the O-1 visa holder.

P-1 Visas:  The P-1 visa classification provides for admission into the United States of certain athletes, entertainers and artists, and essential support personnel. Individual members of the entertainment industry are not eligible for the P-1 visa classification, but individual athletes are. For members of the entertainment industry, the visa will be issued for a specific event only. However, individual athletes may be admitted for five years and a team for a period of six months.

P-2 Visas:  The P-2 visa classification provides for the admission into the United States of an artist or entertainer, either an individual or group, involved in a reciprocal exchange program between an organization or organizations in the United States and one or more foreign countries which provides for the temporary exchange of artists and entertainers.

P-3 Visas:  The P-3 visa classification provides for the admission into the United States of an artist or entertainer, either an individual or group, to perform, teach, or coach under a program that is culturally unique.

Filing a petition with USCIS

Your sponsor is required to file a petition, Form I-129, on your behalf with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Your sponsor or employer should contact the USCIS for further information. In the case of an alien who is traditionally self-employed or who uses agents to arrange short-term employment with numerous employers, an agent may file the petition with the USCIS. An agent may also file a petition on behalf of a foreign employer.

It is the responsibility of the USCIS to determine whether the alien qualifies for O or P visa category. Any questions concerning eligibility should be addressed to the appropriate USCIS office.

If you do not possess your I-797 Notice of Action, it is your responsibility to contact the appropriate USCIS office in the United States.  Please note that the approval of a petition does not, in itself, establish that you are entitled to receive a visa.

Applicants who wish to apply for visa categories O or P must come in person to the U.S. Embassy.  For step by step instructions on how to apply and schedule an appointment please click here.

Documents required for O/P visa are:

1. A valid passport that has been signed by the applicant and, where applicable,
   • Previous passport with previously issued visa or
   • Police report in case of theft or loss of a previous passport with valid visa.  The report may be issued by a local police station or consular office or other foreign authority.
   • If you have ever been arrested and / or have a criminal conviction, have a medical ineligibility, or have been denied entry into or deported from the United States, you will be required to furnish documents relating to your situation in support of your application.
2. The printed confirmation page containing the barcode generated by the DS-160 online application form (How to Apply - Step 3).
3. One photograph that meets the required specifications (How to Apply - Step 1). Even if you have successfully uploaded the photo to the DS-160 please bring one with you on the day of your appointment.
4. The original, photocopy or facsimile copy of the Notice of Action, Form I-797A, B or C.  The application cannot be processed without this form.

B1/B2 in lieu of P for professional entertainers.

In certain specific circumstances, professional entertainers may be issued a business visa (B-1 visa) instead of a temporary worker's visa. No petition is required for the issuance of a B-1 visa. You may receive a B-1 visa as a professional entertainer ONLY if you meet all of the criteria in one of the following:

You are traveling to the United States to participate in a cultural program sponsored by your government; you will be performing before a non-paying audience; and all expenses, including per diem, will be paid by your government.

You are coming to the U.S. to participate in a competition for which there is no remuneration other than a prize and expenses.

You are coming to the U.S. to utilize recording facilities for recording purposes only; the recording will be distributed and sold only outside of the U.S.; and no public performances will be given.

Amateur Entertainers

If you are an amateur performer, you may travel to the U.S. with a visitor visa (B-2 visa) only if you will not be paid for your performance. During your interview at the U.S. Embassy in Athens, you must establish through tax records, job letters, IKA books, and other documentation that you earn your living in an occupation other than that of an entertainer and that you intend to return to Greece at the end of a temporary visit to the U.S.

Reminder: We always recommend that individuals apply for visas well in advance of their proposed date of travel. No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of non refundable ticket should not be made until a visa has been issued and you are in receipt of the passport.