Members of the Entertainment Profession and Athletes

If you are competing in a tournament or sporting event for which you will receive no salary or payment from a U.S source, other than prize money, you will require a B-1 visa. If your proposed activities are not exactly as described, you will require an O or P visa.

If you are a caddy who is customarily employed by the golfer and not just hired to accompany him or her for this particular tournament, the golfer is competing in tournaments for prize money only and you will continue to be paid by your employer, you will require a B-1 visa.

A B-1 visa is also appropriate for a racing car mechanic or engineer customarily employed and paid by the racing team, who is a normal and necessary component of the entourage accompanying a driver who is competing for prize money only.

If the professional golfer or racing car driver is applying for an O or P visa, you should apply for an O-2 or P-1 visa to accompany him or her.

Provided the income of the team and salary of the players is principally accrued in a foreign country, you will require B-1 visas.

Professional boxers require O or P visas.

Provided you are employed by a foreign employer to perform services on behalf of an employer of the alien’s nationality, as a jockey and your salary will continue to be paid by that employer, you will require a B-1 visa.

Provided you are employed by a foreign employer and your salary will continue to be paid by that employer, you will require a B-1 visa. Amateur crewmembers also qualify for the B-1 visa.

Unless the company is participating in a cultural program sponsored by the sending country; or participating in a competition for which there is no remuneration, other than a prize (monetary or otherwise) and expenses, O or P visas are required.

A B-1 visa, or visa free travel is appropriate if you will utilize recording facilities for recording purposes only; the recording will be distributed and sold only outside the United States; and, there will be no public performances.

If you are all amateurs and you will be performing in a social and/or charitable context, you will require B-2 visa, or if eligible may travel visa free under the visa waiver program. Please note: An amateur is someone who normally performs without remuneration (other than an allotment for expenses). A performer who is normally compensated for performing cannot qualify for a B-2 visa or travel under the Visa Waiver Program even if they do not make a living at performing.