There are many reasons that an artist, performer, or athlete might be in Houston for a short period of time. If you are an artist or performer, you may have an exhibition or show in town. You may be studying here, or may be performing for a season or for the length of a play.

If you are an athlete, you may be training here for a period of time. You may have signed on to play for a team, but plan on returning once finished.

In such cases, you need a nonimmigrant visa. Performers, artists and athletes fall under special categories for visa: O and P.

O-1 visas are for athletes (who should seek an O-1A visa), artists, performers and movie and television directors (who should seek an O-1B) with extraordinary ability. Athletes must be among the most elite, those who fall within a small percentage of performance at the top of their field. Artists and performers must have achieved substantial distinction. Movie and TV directors must have demonstrated achievement.

A person who serves as an integral part of an athlete’s work, or an essential part of an artist’s or performer’s may seek an O-2 visa. The spouses and children of O-1 and O-2 visa holders may seek an O-3.

P visas fall under a few categories:

• P-1A: These are for internationally recognized athletes coming to compete, either individually or as part of a team.
• P-1B: This visa is for artists who perform as a part of an internationally recognized entertainment group.
• P-2: Artists and performers who qualify for P-2 visas are part of a reciprocal cultural exchange program.
• P-3: These are for artists and entertainers who are part of a culturally unique program seeking to perform, teach or coach in the Houston area.