For Athletes
Compete at the
highest level.
Stay for the career.
The best leagues, the biggest contracts, and the most prestigious competitions are in the U.S. Get the legal status that lets you focus on your game.
80+
Athletes guided
98%
Approval rate
P-1A / O-1B
Most common path
*Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
The Reality
Your record is your
strongest credential.
Every athlete we've worked with was surprised by how much of their career counted as immigration evidence. Rankings, medals, competition records, press coverage - all of it builds your case.
Whether you're signing with a U.S. team, competing independently, or transitioning your career, there's a visa designed for your profile. We've guided athletes from 40+ countries through the process.
Your competition record is your evidence
World rankings, Olympic appearances, professional contracts, tournament wins - USCIS evaluates athletic achievement across multiple criteria and your career likely meets more than one.
Coaches and support staff qualify too
The P-1 covers not just athletes but essential support personnel - coaches, trainers, scouts. If you're part of the athletic organization, you may have a path.
The process moves at your timeline
We know that signing deadlines, training camp dates, and competition schedules don't wait for immigration processing. We build the timeline around your sport.
Athlete Profiles
Does this sound like you?
Your sport, your career stage, and your goals determine which path makes sense.
Professional athlete joining a U.S. league or team
You've been signed by an NBA, MLS, MLB, or other U.S. professional organization. The team has a deal ready - you need the immigration status to match.
P-1A - internationally recognized athleteOlympic or elite-level competitor
You compete at the highest levels of your sport internationally. Your career is your evidence - and it's stronger than you think.
O-1B or P-1A depending on structureCoach or sports executive
You're a head coach, technical director, or performance specialist joining a U.S. organization. Your expertise is the credential.
O-1A or P-1 coach/essential supportFormer athlete building a career
Your playing career is winding down, but your recognition and expertise open doors to broadcasting, coaching, business, or other U.S. opportunities.
O-1A - expertise-based path
Your destination
“The biggest leagues in the world
play in America.”
Not sure which profile fits you? We'll figure it out together.
Book a free 30-min call →Visa Options
Four paths. One is right
for your athletic career.
We don't push every athlete toward the same visa. The right path depends on your sport, your organization, and your long-term goals.
The standard path for internationally recognized athletes.
Best for
Professional athletes competing at an internationally recognized level - signing with a U.S. sports organization, league, or team.
Why athletes choose this
Specifically designed for athletes. Clear criteria for international recognition. Efficient process for teams and leagues that sponsor regularly.
Not ideal if
You don't have an established U.S. organization to sponsor your petition.
Timeline
3-6 wks prep
Extraordinary ability in athletics - with more flexibility.
Best for
Elite athletes with documented extraordinary ability in their sport: Olympics, world championships, top-ranked competition, major endorsements.
Why athletes choose this
More flexible than P-1A - can be tied to an agent rather than a specific organization. Strong for athletes with independent profiles.
Not ideal if
You need a straightforward employer-sponsored path - P-1A may be simpler.
Timeline
6-8 wks prep + 15 days premium
Skip the visa cycle - go straight to a green card.
Best for
Top-tier athletes with sustained national or international acclaim: Olympic medals, world championships, major endorsements, or widely recognized competitive record.
Why athletes choose this
Self-petition. No employer required. Direct path to permanent residency for athletes with documented extraordinary ability.
Not ideal if
You need U.S. authorization quickly - EB-1A adjudication takes longer.
Timeline
6-10 wks prep + 2-6 mo.
Compete now, build toward a green card.
Best for
Athletes who need to be in the U.S. for their sport immediately but want a clear path to permanent residency.
Why athletes choose this
Dual-track strategy: P-1A provides immediate authorization while you strengthen your EB-1A profile over 1-2 seasons.
Not ideal if
You already have the profile for EB-1A - in that case, go directly.
Timeline
P-1A fast, EB-1A follows
Quick Comparison
If you just want the quick version -
here's how athlete visa paths compare at a glance.
Path
Speed
Control
Green Card
Best for
P-1A
Fast
Medium
Professionally signed athletes at org/team
O-1B
Fast
High
Elite athletes with independent recognition
EB-1A
Medium
High
Top athletes seeking permanent residency
P-1A+EB-1A
Fast
High
Athletes who need to compete now, GC later
There's no single “best” path - only the one that fits your sport, your organization, and your goals.
Not sure which option fits your situation?
Explore your options →Honest Assessment
When these paths may not be the right fit.
Some athletes are at earlier stages or have different situations. We check this for you - in your free call.
These options may not make sense if:
You compete at an amateur or recreational level without documented professional recognition
You don't have a U.S. organization or team willing to sponsor a P-1A petition
Your competitive record is primarily local or regional in scope
You're looking for a path not connected to your athletic career
If none of these paths make sense - we'll tell you that.
Book a free call →Athlete Stories
Athletes who made the move.
“I'd signed with an MLS team and the clock was ticking. PassRight had the P-1A petition ready in three weeks. I didn't miss a single training session.”
Carlos
Colombia → Atlanta
Professional footballer, MLS
Signed by an MLS club with documented international career in the Colombian top division, international caps, and two Copa Libertadores appearances. P-1A approved efficiently.
Why this path
Team needed him immediately - P-1A was the fastest, most straightforward path given the professional signing.
“I was a two-time Olympic bronze medalist and still thought I needed a sponsor to get a visa. PassRight showed me the O-1B was built for exactly my profile.”
Natalia
Ukraine → Los Angeles
Olympic gymnast
Two Olympic medals, World Championship silver, international competition record spanning 12 years, and major endorsements. O-1B approved with premium processing.
Why this path
Independent authorization was the priority - O-1B allowed her to work with multiple U.S. organizations without being tied to a single employer.
“After 15 years as a professional, I wanted to stay in the U.S. permanently. My career record was my case. PassRight knew exactly how to frame it for EB-1A.”
Tomás
Brazil → Miami
Former professional tennis player
Former ATP top-50 player with Grand Slam appearances, international ranking history, and documented media coverage spanning a 15-year career. EB-1A self-petition approved.
Why this path
Green card was the long-term goal and his sustained competitive record was exactly what EB-1A requires.
Why PassRight
Most immigration firms handle athlete cases like any other professional petition. We know the difference between a P-1A and an O-1B and when to use each - and we move at the speed athletic schedules demand.
We move at athletic speed
Signing deadlines, training camp dates, competition seasons - we know how to build a petition process that doesn't miss your window.
98% approval rate
Our athlete cases don't just get filed - they get approved. We've guided athletes across 40+ countries and more than 20 sports.
We work with agents and teams
Whether your agent or your team's front office is leading the immigration process, we coordinate seamlessly within the sports ecosystem.
We understand athletic evidence
Rankings, competition records, endorsements, press coverage - we know exactly what USCIS looks for in athlete cases and how to present it.
Planning beyond the playing career
We also think ahead. If you want to build toward permanent residency during your playing career, we can plan for both the short and long term.
Your attorney stays on your case
No bait-and-switch to a junior associate. The attorney who reviews your profile builds your case - from first call to final approval.
“My agent had worked with other firms before. He said PassRight was the only one who actually understood the P-1A criteria for our sport - and it showed in how fast the approval came.”
Carlos
Professional footballer - Bogotá → Atlanta
P-1A approved in 3 weeks
The Process
3-6 weeks.
Built around your season.
You're training and competing, not filing petitions. Our process is structured to move quickly and require as little time from you as possible.
Attorney-led from day one.
Not a paralegal. Not a template. Your case.
Free strategy call
We review your competition record, your organization, and your timeline - and tell you honestly which path makes sense.
Attorney case review
Your attorney designs the strategy and identifies exactly what evidence is needed before any documents are collected.
Evidence build
We coordinate with you, your agent, and your team to gather exactly what's needed - efficiently and without disruption to your schedule.
Filing & follow-through
Your petition is submitted. We stay with you through any USCIS correspondence and all the way to approval.
Recommended Reading
Worth knowing.
P-1A Visa for Athletes: How the Internationally Recognized Standard Works
The P-1A is specifically designed for athletes competing at an internationally recognized level. Here's the complete breakdown of requirements and how to qualify.
Read more →
O-1BO-1B for Elite Athletes: What Extraordinary Ability Means in Sports
Olympic medals, world rankings, endorsements - here's how USCIS evaluates athletic achievement and what evidence actually counts for O-1B.
Read more →
EB-1AEB-1A for Athletes: The Self-Petition Green Card Path
Your competitive record may be stronger than you think. Here's how elite athletes have used the EB-1A to get permanent residency without an employer.
Read more →
StrategyP-1A vs O-1B for Athletes: Which Visa Is Right for You?
Both work for professional athletes - but they have different requirements and tradeoffs. Here's when to choose each one.
Read more →
The move is possible
Your career belongs in America.
Let's make it happen.
Book a free 30-minute strategy call. We'll review your competitive record, tell you which paths make sense, and give you an honest assessment.
No commitment. No sales pressure. Just a real conversation about your situation.
80+
Athletes guided
98%
Approval rate
P-1A / O-1B
Most common path