Temporary Nonimmigrant Work Visas

A nonimmigrant visa grants you temporary stay in the United States. When your visa expires, you must leave the United States unless you apply for Legal Permanent Residency.

The P-2 artist visa is available to performers either as individuals or as part of a group. The performance must be under a reciprocal exchange program between a group in the United States and one located abroad.

What is the P-2 Visa?

The P-2 visa is a temporary nonimmigrant work visa for artists or performers participating in a reciprocal exchange program between the United States and another country.

P-2 Visa Requirements

To qualify for a P-2 visa, the reciprocal exchange program must be recognized by the United States.

Current approved exchange agreements include:

• American Federation of Musicians (U.S.) and American Federation of Musicians (Canada)
• Actor’s Equity Association (U.S.) and Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
• Actor’s Equity Association (U.S.) and British Actors’ Equity Association
• International Council of Air Shows and Canadian Air Show Association
• ACTRA and SAG-AFTRA

New reciprocal agreements may also be used if approved by USCIS.

Support Personnel

Support personnel may also qualify for a P-2 visa.

This includes:

• Trainers
• Stagehands
• Front office personnel
• Camera operators
• Lighting technicians
• Stage staff

These individuals must be essential to the performance and perform duties that cannot easily be done by a U.S. worker.

A Form I-129 petition is required for support personnel.

Family of P-2 Visa Holders

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may accompany P-2 visa holders under P-4 classification.

P-4 dependents are not authorized to work in the United States but may pursue educational studies.

Total Dedication

Whether your immigration concern involves a P-2 reciprocal exchange visa or another matter, you can rely on our experience and dedication.

Our immigration law firm assists with green cards, citizenship, marriage-based adjustment, work visas, deportation defense, asylum, and other immigration matters.

We also assist employers and professionals with H-1B visas, H-2B visas, B-1 business visas, student visas, and O-1 extraordinary ability visas.