From Amateur to Pro: How Athletes Secure U.S. Visas
From Amateur to Pro: How Athletes Secure U.S. Visas Without Team Sponsorship
The athlete's guide to P-1 and O-1 visas through agent-based petitions
The Myth of Team Sponsorship
If you're an international athlete looking to compete in the United States, you've probably heard: "You need a team to sponsor your visa."
That's only half the story.
While many athletes do obtain visas through team sponsorship, there's another path—one that gives you more control over your career and doesn't require a signed contract before you can even enter the country.
P-1 vs. O-1: Understanding Your Options
P-1A: Internationally Recognized Athletes
The P-1A visa is designed for athletes competing at an internationally recognized level. You qualify if you've:
- Competed in major international events
- Achieved significant rankings in your sport
- Signed with a major U.S. league or team
- Participated in a distinguished competition
Key advantage: P-1A can be filed by an agent on your behalf, not just a team.
O-1A: Athletes with Extraordinary Ability
For elite athletes who've achieved extraordinary recognition, the O-1A offers even more flexibility:
- Work for multiple teams or organizations
- Pursue coaching, commentary, or business opportunities
- Maintain status independent of any single employer
Athletes who've won major championships, set records, or achieved sustained national/international acclaim often qualify for O-1A.
The Agent-Based Petition Advantage
At Sherrod Sports Visas, we pioneered the use of agent-based petitions for athletes. Here's why it matters:
1. Negotiate from Strength
When you arrive in the U.S. with valid visa status, you negotiate contracts as a free agent—not as someone desperate for sponsorship. Teams know they don't have to file your visa. That changes the dynamic.
2. Protect Your Career
What happens if a team cuts you? With team-sponsored visas, you may have limited time to find a new sponsor before losing status. With agent-based petitions, your status isn't tied to any single team.
3. Explore Opportunities
Maybe you want to train with one organization, compete for another, and pursue endorsement deals on the side. Agent-based O-1 status makes this possible.
How SSV Has Changed the Game
Sherrod Sports Visas has secured visas for boxing legends, professional soccer players, Olympic athletes, and rising stars across every major sport. Our founder, Sherrod Seward, Esq., literally wrote the book on athlete immigration.
Notable achievements:
- Secured visas for Tyson Fury, Canelo Alvarez, and Manny Pacquiao's team
- Won federal litigation that changed P-1 rules for unsigned athletes
- Published "Immigration Options for Artists, Entertainers & Athletes"
The Process
1. Evaluation — We assess your achievements and determine the strongest visa category
2. Evidence Compilation — We gather documentation proving your international recognition
3. Interest Letters — Through [O1DMatch](https://o1dmatch.com), we secure letters from U.S. teams, leagues, or organizations
4. Petition Filing — SSV or our partner agent files on your behalf
5. Approval & Beyond — Once approved, you have the freedom to pursue any opportunity
Who We've Helped
> "I was an unsigned boxer trying to break into the U.S. market. SSV got my P-1 approved without a promoter contract, and I signed my first major deal three weeks later." —Professional Boxer, U
> "After my O-1 approval, I competed for two different teams in the same season and started a youth training academy. Try doing that with a team-sponsored visa." — Professional Soccer Player, Brazil
Your Career Deserves Better Than Visa Dependency
You've trained for years. You've competed at the highest levels. Don't let visa logistics hold back your American dream.
Sherrod Sports Visas partners with [O1DMatch](https://o1dmatch.com) to connect athletes with U.S. teams and organizations. Learn about [what happens after your visa approves](https://o1dmatch.com/blog/post-approval-employment) and [how interest letters work](https://o1dmatch.com/blog/interest-letters).