INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ATHLETE

P-1A: THE PLAYER'S VISA

$6,000 flat service fee · U.S. government filing fees separate

The P-1A is built for internationally recognized athletes coming to compete in U.S. events with a distinguished reputation — and USCIS has expressly acknowledged that a professional poker player may qualify. For an accomplished pro with real results — titles, final tables, rankings, documented winnings — it is usually the realistic category: your record proves recognition, and the U.S. series and circuit stops you plan to play become the itinerary.

START YOUR VISA CHECK BOOK A $500 CONSULT

THE PROCESS, START TO FINISH

Record review — we assess your titles, results, rankings and press against the P-1A standard before you spend a dollar on filing.
Petitioner setup — touring pros rarely have a U.S. employer — our agent-petitioner structure (through Aventus Visa Agents) is the framework USCIS recognizes for independent players entering U.S. events.
Itinerary build — we plead a calendar of U.S. competition — the summer series plus year-round circuit stops — so you're covered for a period of events, not one tournament.
Evidence package — results and ranking documentation, title proof, international press, and the consultation the regulations require.
Filing (Form I-129) — we prepare and file the petition; premium processing is available when a series date is close.
Consular step — after approval, visa stamping at your consulate — we prep you for the interview, including the questions competing players actually get.
You play — P-1A covers the itinerary period pleaded, with extensions available as your U.S. schedule grows.

AT A GLANCE

Question	Answer
Who is it for?	Players with real international results — titles, final tables, rankings, documented winnings.
Do I need a sponsor or team?	No — the agent-petitioner route covers independent players entering U.S. events.
Do open buy-in events hurt the case?	They raise a known question — we answer it in the petition with the reputation of the events and your documented record, rather than hope nobody notices.
How long is it valid?	Up to the itinerary period pleaded; extensions available.
Speed?	Premium processing gets a USCIS decision in weeks, not months.

QUESTIONS PLAYERS ASK

Is poker 'legitimate' enough for USCIS?

USCIS has expressly contemplated professional poker players in the athlete categories. Documented events, rankings, television and press are the evidence language officers read.

I've been playing U.S. series on a visitor visa — is that a problem?

It can be. The B-1/B-2 line on competing for prize money is narrow, and a bad airport encounter follows you. Tell us your history honestly and we'll map the clean path forward.

What if my record isn't there yet?

Then we say so, and tell you what a filing-ready record looks like — which events, which results, what press. No one should pay to file a loser.