P3 Visa | Artist And Entertainers | US Work Visa | IAS

• Our Services
• Content /Overview
• FAQs
• Related Pages
• Contact Us

Compassionate support from an experienced immigration lawyer dedicated to your success

Support in gathering supporting documents and completing a high-quality application.

Confidence that your case is being handled by an experienced team.

In-house document checks done by lawyers who are well-versed in US immigration matters.

Services we Provide

Advice Package

Need help with an immigration issue? Book a one-to-one advice session with one of our legal caseworkers.

Application Package

We can complete your visa application on your behalf, taking the stress and hassle out of the process.

Fast-Track Application Package

Need to submit an application quickly? We can help you complete and send it off in as little as 24 hours.

Appeal Package

Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal with our legal support and guidance.

1. Homepage
2. >
3. US Immigration Lawyers in the UK
4. >
5. US Work Visa
6. >
7. P3 visa

What is a P3 Visa?

The P3 visa is a visa for foreign artists or entertainers coming to be part of a culturally unique program in the US. It could be to perform, teach, or coach.

This is a nonimmigrant visa that both entertainers and their support personnel can apply for. You can apply individually or as a group.

With a P3 visa, you can enter the US, perform and receive payment, or win prize money. You can engage in part-time studies during your stay and bring your dependents along with you.

The visa only permits you to work for the employer who sponsored your petition. Change of employer requires that you apply for a new visa.

P3 Visa Eligibility

You are eligible for the P3 visa if you’re an individual artist, entertainer, or part of a performing group. The program bringing you to the US must be culturally unique.Culturally unique means the program must be exclusive to a particular country or group of people. This includes:

• Traditional ethnic presentation or performance
• Folk presentation or performance
• Cultural presentation or performance
• Musical presentation or performance
• Theatrical presentation or performance
• Artistic presentation or performance

The program can be commercial or non-commercial. It’s also important that your performance or presentation promotes the understanding or development of your art.

Essential Support personnel of the performing artists or groups can also apply. They qualify if they can demonstrate their role in the program.

You’re not eligible to apply for the P3 visa if you’re in the sports industry; instead, you apply for the P1 visa. In addition, a P3 visa is not available for Filmmakers and other related artists;

P3 Visa Required Documents

For your P3 visa application, you must make ready the following:

• Form I-129 confirmation page
• Valid international passport
• Passport photographs according to US visa standard
• Documents explaining the event and itinerary. This must include the dates and places the event will take place.
• Document proving your performance is culturally unique. This can be published materials or reviews from newspapers and journals.
• Testimonials, affidavits, and letters from renowned industry experts to prove the authenticity of your skills.
• The consultation document from an appropriate labor organization
• Contract document between you and your employer/sponsor

The embassy may also request additional documents depending on your program. For supporting personnel, the sponsor has to submit a different Form I-129.

Other necessary documents include a written contract, consultation document, and statement describing the support personnel’s skills and experience with the main artist, entertainer, or group.

P3 Visa Application Process

Consultation is the first step of the P3 visa application. Your sponsor has to consult with an appropriate labor organization to verify if the P3 petition will get approval or not.

The main things to verify include:

• If the program is appropriate for P3 classification
• The cultural uniqueness of the program
• The cultural uniqueness of the P3 beneficiary skills

If the advisory opinion is negative, they’ll provide facts for the objection. Otherwise, they’ll issue a letter of no objection, and your sponsor can file the P3 petition with Form I-129.

After filing, the USCIS processes the application and issues a decision. If they approve the petition, your sponsor will receive an approval notice.

On your part, you have to file the online nonimmigrant visa application Form DS-160. Pay your application fee and complete all parts of the form. The embassy won’t process your application if you don’t pay your fees.

After submitting, you have to schedule an appointment at the embassy for your interview. It’s important to schedule as soon as possible because the workloads at those embassies vary and may determine the wait time before getting a decision.Attend your interview with all the required visa application supporting documents, including the P3 approval notice. Since you already have the P3 approval, your DS160 petition should easily get approval if you meet all requirements.If you’re already in the US, you can start participation once your sponsor gets P3 notice of approval.

How much does a P3 visa cost?

Your sponsor is to pay a $460 filing fee for the Form I-129 filing fee. On your part, you have to pay a $190 filing fee for Form DS-160. You may also have to pay $80 for biometrics service if necessary.

Residents in some countries pay for Visa Issuance Fee after approval, and the cost varies. Since most P3 qualifying programs are urgent, your application may require premium processing.

Premium visa processing costs $1,440. Form filing fees and other service fees are non-refundable. However, the USCIS will refund the premium processing fee if you don’t get a verdict within 15 days.

P3 Visa Processing Time

P3 visas generally take 2 to 8 weeks to process. In some cases, however, it may take 1 to 3 months.

Nevertheless, the processing time will depend on the workload of the embassy and how soon you schedule an interview. A request for further evidence can also prolong the processing time.

Premium processing takes just 15 calendar days.

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

Contact Us

Dependents of P3 Visa

Your dependents can come with you to the US by applying for P4 visas. Eligible dependents include spouses and unmarried children under 21. Your parents, in-laws, or children over 21 are ineligible for P4 dependent visas.

Your dependents can remain in the US so long as your P3 visa is valid. They cannot work, but they can engage in full-time or part-time study. Requirements for P4 visa application include:

• Form DS-160 confirmation page
• Form DS-160 application fee
• International passport
• International passport and copy of P3 visa of the main relative or Form I-129 confirmation if applying together.
• P3 notice of approval
• Evidence of relationship with the P3 visa holder; marriage certificate for spouses and birth certificate for children

P4 visa applicants will also attend an interview. Both P3 and P4 applicants can schedule interviews at the same time if applying together.

If the embassy approves the application, your dependents can travel with you or after you. They cannot travel before you. They can extend their visas whenever you extend your P4 visa.

P3 Visa Validity

P3 visas are valid for the period of time it takes to complete the program or event but will not exceed a year. Your sponsor will state this while filing Form I-129.

If the performance takes more than a year, you’ll have to apply for an extension after 12 months. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues extensions in one-year increments. Your sponsor has to file another Form I-129 to apply for an extension of stay.

The same validity of the main P3 visa also applies to dependents and supporting personnel. After your visa expires and your program is over, you have a 60-day grace period before leaving the US.

The same applies if your sponsor terminated the contract before the completion date. During this period, you can change employees to remain in the US. Your new employer has to obtain a new P3 approval notice on your behalf.

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

Contact Us

Table of Contents

Table of Contents will appear here.

Written by Immigration Advice Service

Editorial Team

This content was developed by a team of researchers, writers, SEO specialists, editors, and lawyers who provide valuable information to those with immigration queries.

Legal Disclaimer

The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Immigration Advice Service before making any decisions based on the content provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a P1 and a P3 Visa?

P1 and P3 visas have the same application processes. However, P3 visas are for artists and entertainers performing in a culturally unique program, while P1 visas are for sportspersons and athletes.

Are there any travel restrictions on P3 visas?

The USCIS places no travel restrictions on P3 visas. With a valid P-3 visa, you can travel in and out of the United States at any time. The only limitation is that you cannot work for a different employer unless you file a new Form I-129.

Is P1 better than P3?

The P-1 visa is of higher value than the P3 as it’s mainly for internationally recognized athletes, artists, and entertainers. It doesn’t come with the P-3 visa culturally unique requirement, so it’s easier to obtain if you qualify.

Can a P3 holder get a Green Card?

P3 visa holders cannot directly apply for a Green Card. If you want permanent residency, you’ll have to apply for a change of status to a visa classification that allows green card application.

We are the UK’s leading immigration specialists

OISC Accredited UK Immigration lawyers

We’ve had over 9000 applications approved

We are now open 7 days a week from 8.30am to 6pm.

How our UK Immigration Lawyers can help

At the Immigration Advice Service our lawyers specialise in a wide range of UK visas, nationality and asylum applications and have represented clients in various successful complex and high-profile cases.

Contact Us

Get in Touch

Head Office:

Immigration Advice Service Ashwood House, Ellen Street Oldham, OL9 6QR, United Kingdom

Head Office Phone:

+44 (0)333 414 9244

Email

[email protected]

We have over 12 offices across the world, find a branch near you.

Call us now at +44 (0)333 414 9244 or request a call back using the form below.

Your Name Your Email Address Your Telephone Number Your Message Where are you located? What country are you in? Your desired destination? Where do you want to go? I am happy to receive promotional emails from the IAS.

Related pages for your continued reading

US Work Visas

Looking to work in the United States or obtain a work visa for your employee? We can help. Learn more here.

US Family Visas

IAS USA immigration lawyers can help you reunite with your family in the United States. Contact us today for support.

US Study Visas

If you want to study in the US, you may need to obtain a study visa. Click here to learn more about the study visas.

US Citizenship

There are a few routes to citizenship in the USA. Click here to find out their eligibility requirements and process.

US Visitor Visas

Are you looking to visit the USA for tourism, to see family/friends, for business meetings, or any other reason? Reach out to us to discuss.

Family-Based Green Cards

You can obtain a family-based green card in the USA if you qualify. Learn more here.

Get in touch with our team

Learn about our professional services and find out how we can help.

Contact Us

X

Get in Touch

Head Office:

Immigration Advice Service Ashwood House, Ellen Street Oldham, OL9 6QR, United Kingdom

Head Office Phone:

+44 (0)333 414 9244

Email

[email protected]

We have over 12 offices across the world, find a branch near you.

Call us now at +44 (0)333 414 9244 or request a call back using the form below.

Your Name Your Email Address Your Telephone Number Your Message Where are you located? What country are you in? Your desired destination? Where do you want to go? I am happy to receive promotional emails from the IAS. X Search for: Contact Us Manage Consent To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. Functional Functional Always active The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Preferences Preferences The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Statistics Statistics The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Marketing Marketing The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes Accept Deny View preferences Save preferences View preferences {title} {title} {title} Manage consent