Non- immigrant athletes and entertainers that will be visiting the United States are always issued O and P types of visas to enable them take part in athletics or perform in an entertainment. Upon application for O and P types of visas, it always require several months. Fortunately, there is now expedited processing that will allow the entertainer or athlete to make it to the event or competition without delay. Nevertheless, it is advised that you plan ahead to attain your own due to the fact that such visas are not issued overnight.
As an athlete or entertainer who is the holder of O or P visa, you can file an extension of stay even as you are continuing or completing the event or activity mentioned in the original request after fulfilling some requirements.
Hence, if you want to request for an extension of stay, the employer or sponsor of the even or activity must submit an application for the extension of the validity of the visa worker’s original request and a petition to extend the visa worker’s authorized duration of stay.
On the other hand, if you want to file such petition, you must have being in the U.S. Furthermore, the employer or sponsor will forward the Notice of Action otherwise called Form I – 797 when it is time to submit the application for extension of stay. In addition to this, you must equally complete or and submit Form I – 129 with a statement giving reasons for the request of extension.
Although, it is possible for a visa holder to be qualified for a period of 5 years for a particular request, the total duration of stay must not be more than 10 years. If you are in the category of support personnel, you are qualified to get and extension of additional 1 year to conclude or resume the activity for which you were granted the O or P visa originally.
