P-3 Artist or Entertainer Coming to Be Part of a Culturally Unique Program
by lirulaw

P-3 Artist or Entertainer Coming to Be Part of a Culturally Unique Program

The P-3 classification applies to you if you are coming temporarily to perform, teach or coach as artists or entertainers, individually or as part of a group, under a program that is culturally unique

 

Eligibility Criteria

For a P-3 visa, you must be coming to the United States either individually or as a group for the purpose of developing, interpreting, representing, coaching, or teaching a unique or traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performance or presentation. In addition, you must be coming to the United States to participate in a cultural event or events which will further the understanding or development of your art form. The program may be of a commercial or noncommercial nature.

 

Supporting Documents

Your Form I-129 must include the following documents:

  • Written consultation from an appropriate labor organization
  • A copy of the contract between the petitioner and the beneficiary or the summary of the terms of an oral agreement between the petitioner and the beneficiary
  • An explanation of the event and itinerary
  • Affidavits, testimonials or letters from recognized experts attesting to the authenticity of your or your group’s skills in performing, presenting, coaching or teaching the unique and traditional art forms and giving the credentials of the expert including the basis of his or her knowledge of your or your group’s skills; OR documentation that your or your group’s performance is culturally unique as evidenced by reviews in newspapers, journals or other published materials.
  • Documentation that all of the performances or presentations will be culturally unique events

 

Period of Stay/Extension of Stay

Initial Period of Stay: Time needed to complete the event, activity or performance, not to exceed 1 year

Extension of Stay: Increments of up to 1 year in order to continue or complete the event, activity or performance.

 

Essential Support Personnel 

Essential support personnel who are an integral part of the performance of a P- 3 artist or entertainer and who perform support services that cannot be readily performed by a U.S. worker, are eligible for P-3 classification. Support personnel may include coaches, scouts, trainers and other team officials and referees.

The U.S. employer must file a separate Form I-129 for support personnel.  The petition must include the following documents:

  • A consultation from an appropriate labor organization
  • A statement describing the support person’s prior and current essentially, critical skills and experience with the P-3 artist or entertainer
  • A copy of a written contract between the employer and the support person or a summary of the terms of the oral agreement under which the support person will be employed