P-2 Visa-Individual Performer or Part of a Group Entering to Perform Under a Reciprocal Exchange Program

The P-2 classification applies to you if you are coming temporarily to perform as an artist or entertainer, individually or as part of a group, who will perform under a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the United States and an organization in another country.

Eligibility Criteria

You must be an artist entering the United States through a government recognized reciprocal exchange program. In addition, you must possess skills comparable to those of the United States artists and entertainers taking part in the program outside the United States.

Period of Stay/Extension of Stay

Form I-129 is used to apply for a change of status, extension of stay or change of employment.

For more information see the “Extend my Stay” and “Change my Nonimmigrant Status” links to the right.

Change of Employer

You may change employers, but only after your new employer has filed a new Form I-129 with USCIS requesting permission to employ you and extend your stay. You may not commence employment with the new employer until the Form I-129 has been approved.

Family of P-2 Visa Holders

Your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 may obtain P-4 status. Your dependents may not engage in employment, but may attend school or college.

Essential Support Personnel

Essential support personnel who are an integral part of the performance of a P- 2 artist or entertainer and who perform support services that cannot be readily performed by a U.S. worker, are eligible for P-2 classification. Support personnel may include stagehands, trainers, or those persons having critical knowledge of the specific services to be performed.

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

• Consultation from an appropriate labor organization
• Statement describing the support person’s prior and current essentially, critical skills and experience with the P-2 artist or entertainer
• 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.

Process & Procedures

Form I-129 is used to apply for a change of status, extension of stay or change of employment.