Artists and
athletes are an essential portion of
healthy cultural exchange. The global
community benefits greatly from the work
of each country's greatest thinkers and
performers. P-2 Visas are issued to
troupes or bands entering the U.S. as a
part of an exchange program. There
should be two organizations involved in
this exchange program: one in the U.S.
and one abroad.
Your spouse and unmarried children under
the age of 21 are permitted to accompany
you to the United States, under a P-4
status. P-4 visa holders are not allowed
to work without being granted
permission.
Steps
Either the U.S. labor group that
negotiated the exchange agreement, the
sponsoring organization or the U.S.
employer must file the petition. The
petition should be filed to the U.S
Consular office or U.S. Embassy, or to
the branch of the INS with jurisdiction
over the location where the troupe/band
plans to perform. The application forms
and relevant documents may be mailed or
submitted in person.
A U.S. agent may also file a petition
for workers who are self-employed, use
agents to book short-term engagements
with many different employers or in
situations where foreign employer(s)
authorize the use of an agent to act on
their behalf.
This agent may be the employer of the
performer, a representative of the
employer or a person authorized to act
on behalf of the employer.
Documents
For the P-2 Visa, you must provide the
following documents: <
A filled-in visa application
Form OF-156. Separate applications
for each person are compulsory.
One recent photograph 1 & 1/2
inches square (37mm x 37mm) of each
applicant, with the entire face
visible. The picture should be taken
before a light background and
without head covering.
A passport, valid for travel to
the United States for at least six
months longer than your intended
visit.
The petitioner must
also provide documents that prove that
the troupe/band are eligible for the
visa. These documents include:
Proof that all people involved
in the program are artists or
entertainers with talent.
An official letter from the
sponsor(s) noting the details of the
exchange program.
Proof that a labor organization
mediated over the program.
An official affidavit that
confirms the existence of the
exchange program between the U.S.
and a foreign country.
