Sports and entertainment visas 

BAL is a leader in helping professional athletes, artists and entertainers secure
P-1 visas, O-1 visas and navigate global immigration matters. 

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WHAT WE DO

Supporting athletes, artists, entertainers and more

BAL’s Sports and Entertainment Group specializes in supporting all the immigration needs of renowned international talent by:

  • Working closely with professional sports leagues, associations, agents, owners and organizers of mega sporting and esports/gaming events on immigration strategies and cross border compliance.

  • Helping music, film, television and theatrical agencies and studios secure proper visas to maintain performance and production schedules.

  • Supporting colleges, universities, students and agents in navigating Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) for international athletes.

BAL's Sports and Entertainment Group

Tiffany Derentz heads South by Southwest 2026 entertainment industry panel

The standing-room only session explored the real-world immigration challenges facing international filmmakers.

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Gabriel Castro and Tiffany Derentz discuss 2026 FIFA World Cup with Dallas Morning News

Readers learn how North Texas businesses are preparing for one of the largest global events in the world.

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Tiffany Derentz publishes op-ed in The Hill on upcoming US mega-sporting events

The article provides insights on the administration’s operational efforts to
successfully support global-scale sporting events.

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BAL’s Sports and Entertainment Group’s work on NIL issues featured in Sports Illustrated

Championing foreign athletes and improving Name Image Likeness policy issues is integral to the team’s advocacy.

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Securing P-1 visas, O-1 visas and other work visas 

BAL takes care of securing the right visas for international sports and entertainment talent and their support teams so they can focus on playing and performing their best.

For more than 45 years, we’ve obtained thousands of visas for exceptional athletes, artists and entertainers including:

  • P-1A visa
    For internationally recognized athletes or teams competing in specific events, seasons or tournaments in the United States.
  • O-1A visa
    For individuals with extraordinary and (inter)nationally recognized ability in athletics, business, education or science.
  • EB-1 visa
    For priority workers, including individuals of extraordinary ability and other highly accomplished professionals.

Learn how BAL is helping sports clients navigate the complexities of immigration law with this playbook.

“BAL helped us with our player stuck outside the U.S. while his visa was being processed. BAL’s deep relationships with government agencies, extensive experience in immigration and empathy for our team members is a winning combination.” 
- MLB General Manager 
“If it wasn’t for BAL, I wouldn’t have a coaching team to start preseason. That is massive. Without them there, we wouldn’t be champions now.”
- Sports client

Sports and entertainment FAQs

What are the P-1A visa requirements?

The main requirements for the P-1A athlete classification are: The P-1A petition must be filed by the athlete’s U.S. employer, a U.S. sponsoring organization or a U.S. agent. This means the petitioner may be:

  • The actual employer of the athlete;
  • A U.S. sponsoring organization;
  • A U.S. agent representing both the employer and the foreign national;
  • A U.S. agent representing multiple employers;
  • A U.S. agent performing the function of an employer; or
  • A U.S. agent representing a foreign employer.

The types of documentation required for each type of petitioner described above vary but generally include relevant contracts and other evidence of the relationship to any U.S. agent.

What are the requirements specific to each athlete category of the P-1A classification?

In addition to the above, there are specific requirements for the P-1A classification that depend on the different athlete types within the category of “Internationally Recognized Individual Athletes or Teams.” Foreign nationals must have at least two of the following:

  • Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season with a major U.S. sports league;
  • Evidence of having participated in international competition with a national team;
  • Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season for a U.S. college or university in intercollegiate competition;
  • A written statement from an official of the governing body of the sport which details how the foreign nationals or their team are internationally recognized;
  • A written statement from a member of the sports media or a recognized expert in the sport which details how the foreign national or their team is internationally recognized;
  • Evidence that the foreign national or their team is ranked if the sport has international rankings; or
  • Evidence that the foreign national or their team has received a significant honor or award in the sport.

What are the visa requirements for petitioning for an O-1 visa?

The O-1 petition must be filed by the foreign national’s employer or a U.S. agent (also known as “petitioner”). This means the petitioner may be:

  • The actual employer of the foreign national;
  • A U.S. agent representing both the employer and the foreign national;
  • A U.S. agent representing multiple employers;
  • A U.S. agent performing the function of an employer; or
  • A U.S. agent representing a foreign employer

The types of documentation required for each type of petitioner described above varies, but generally includes relevant contracts and other evidence of the relationship to any U.S. agent.

What is the O-1B visa criteria for demonstrating “extraordinary ability” in the arts?

A foreign national must meet the following criteria to qualify as having extraordinary ability in the field of arts:

  • Receipt or nomination for significant national or international awards or prizes in the relevant field, such as an Academy Award,
  • Emmy, Grammy or Director’s Guild award; or
  • At least three of the following forms of documentation:
    • Evidence that the foreign national has performed and will perform services as a lead or starring participant in productions or events that have a distinguished reputation as evidenced by critical reviews, advertisements, publicity releases, publication contracts or endorsements.
    • Evidence that the foreign national has achieved national or international recognition for achievements evidenced by critical reviews or other published materials by or about the foreign national in major newspapers, trade journals, magazines or other publications.
    • Evidence that the foreign national has performed and will perform in a lead, starring or critical role for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation evidenced by articles in newspapers, trade journals, publications or testimonials.
    • Evidence that the foreign national has a record of major commercial or critically acclaimed successes as evidenced by such indicators as title, rating, standing in the field, box office receipts, motion pictures or television ratings and other occupational achievements reported in trade journals, major newspapers or other publications.
    • Evidence that the foreign national has received significant recognition for achievements from organizations, critics, government agencies or other recognized experts in the relevant field.
    • Evidence that the foreign national has commanded a high salary or will command a high salary or other substantial remuneration for services in relation to others in the relevant field.