NonimmigrantEmployment-basedNo annual capForm I-129Labor consultation

P-1B Member of an Internationally Recognized Entertainment Group

For members of an entertainment group that has been internationally recognized as outstanding for a sustained period, coming to perform as part of that group.

Last reviewed Oct 1, 2026Sources: USCIS · eCFRReport an error

At a glance

Initial period of stay: Up to 1 year
Extensions: 1 year at a time
Group track record: Established and performing at least 1 year
Membership rule: 75% of members with the group at least 1 year
Annual cap: None
USCIS filing fee: $1,015 ($510 small employer or nonprofit)

The group qualifies, not the individual. P-1B is granted based on the group’s international reputation. Members may not perform separately from the group; solo artists generally look to O-1B instead (8 CFR 214.2(p)(4)(iii)).

Overview

P-1B is for people who perform with, or are an integral and essential part of the performance of, an entertainment group that has been internationally recognized as outstanding in its discipline for a sustained and substantial period. Each member must have had a sustained and substantial relationship with the group, ordinarily for at least one year, and provide functions integral to its performance.

The group must have been established and performing regularly for at least one year, and 75 percent of its members must have been with it for at least one year (8 CFR 214.2(p)(4)). USCIS can waive the international-recognition requirement for groups nationally recognized for a sustained period when special circumstances, such as limited media access or geography, make international recognition hard to show. Circus personnel joining a nationally recognized circus are exempt from both the one-year and the international-recognition requirements.

Petitions are filed by a U.S. employer, a U.S. sponsoring organization, a U.S. agent, or a foreign employer through a U.S. agent, with a mandatory labor-organization consultation. Essential support personnel use a separate P-1S petition.

Who qualifies

The group must show

It has been established and performing regularly for at least 1 year.
A statement listing each member and the exact dates each has been regularly employed by the group.
International recognition for a sustained and substantial period: nomination for or receipt of significant international awards, or three of the six criteria below.

Three of these (8 CFR 214.2(p)(4)(iii)(B)(3))

Has performed, and will perform, as a starring or leading group in productions or events with a distinguished reputation.
International recognition and acclaim, shown by reviews in major newspapers, trade journals or magazines.
Has performed, and will perform, as a leading or starring group for organizations with a distinguished reputation.
A record of major commercial or critically acclaimed successes, such as ratings, box-office receipts or record sales.
Significant recognition from organizations, critics, government agencies or recognized experts.
A high salary or other substantial pay compared with others similarly situated.

Special rules

Circus performers and essential circus personnel joining a nationally recognized circus are exempt from the one-year and international-recognition requirements.
The one-year relationship requirement can be waived for a replacement member, due to illness or unexpected circumstances, or for a member who augments the group in a critical role.

Duration & extensions

Initial period	Time needed to complete the event, up to 1 year.
Extensions	In increments of up to 1 year to continue or complete the same event or activity.
Admission	Petition validity plus up to 10 days before and after; work only during the validity period.
Essential support (P-1S)	Up to 1 year, with 1-year extensions.

Fees

The petitioner pays the USCIS fees, and each applicant pays visa fees at the consulate. Amounts are from the USCIS fee schedule (Form G-1055, edition 10/01/26) and the State Department fee schedule.

Fee	Amount	Who pays	Notes
Form I-129 filing fee (P petition)	$1,015	Petitioner (employer, sponsor or agent)	$510 for small employers (25 or fewer full-time-equivalent U.S. employees) and nonprofits. Up to 25 named beneficiaries per petition.
Asylum Program Fee	$600	Petitioner	$300 for small employers (25 or fewer full-time-equivalent U.S. employees); $0 for nonprofits.
Premium processing (Form I-907, optional)	$2,965	Petitioner	Optional. USCIS acts within 15 business days. The fee has applied since March 1, 2026.
Visa application (MRV) fee	$205	Applicant	Per person, for H, L, O, P, Q and R visas, including each P-4 family member applying abroad. Not needed for visa-exempt Canadians.
Visa issuance (reciprocity) fee	Varies	Applicant	Charged only to some nationalities, based on reciprocity; many pay nothing.

Essential support personnel need their own petition and fee. Labor-organization consultation letters are issued by private organizations, which may charge their own fees. The Visa Integrity Fee (at least $250) created by Public Law 119-21 is not listed in the State Department fee regulation; DHS said on July 22, 2025 that it “will be implemented in a future publication.”

Processing time

Premium processing: 15 business days; Optional, for an extra $2,965. The clock restarts if USCIS issues a request for evidence.
Earliest filing: 1 year before; A P petition cannot be filed more than one year before the services are needed.
Standard processing: Varies; See current USCIS processing times for Form I-129.

P petitions are not capped. For tours and seasons, leave time for the labor consultation, USCIS processing and visa appointments, which vary by embassy.

Application steps

1
Document the group
Compile the member list with dates, proof that the group has performed regularly for at least a year, and evidence of international recognition.
2
Obtain the labor consultation
Request a written advisory opinion, or a letter of no objection, from an appropriate labor organization.
3
File Form I-129
The employer, sponsor or agent files one petition for up to 25 named group members, with the itinerary, contracts and fees. Support crew go on a separate P-1S petition.
4
Apply for visas
Members complete Form DS-160, pay the visa fee and attend consular interviews. Substitutions of group members can be requested at the consulate or port of entry; substitutions of support personnel cannot.
5
Enter and perform
Perform only as part of the group, during the approved validity period.

Required documents

From the petitioner

Form I-129 with the O and P Classifications Supplement.
Contracts or a summary of terms, with an itinerary of dates and venues.
Statement listing members and their dates with the group.
Labor-organization consultation letter.

Evidence about the group

International awards or nominations, reviews, programs, chart or sales data, and expert letters.
Each member’s passport and DS-160 confirmation.

Dependents & family

The spouse and unmarried children under 21 of a P-1, P-2 or P-3 worker may receive P-4 status for the same period of admission (8 CFR 214.2(p)(8)(iii)(D)).

P-4 family members cannot work unless separately granted employment authorization, but they may attend school or college.

Family members in the U.S. extend or change to P-4 status on Form I-539 ($470 on paper, $420 online, per the fee schedule).

Path to a green card

P workers must keep a residence abroad they do not intend to abandon. Even so, the regulations say that an approved labor certification or a filed preference petition is not a reason to deny a P petition, extension, change of status or admission (8 CFR 214.2(p)(15)). This protection does not cover essential support personnel.

Step 1

Identify a green card basis

Common routes include EB-1A for people with sustained national or international acclaim, EB-2 (including a National Interest Waiver), or employer sponsorship through PERM.

Step 2

File the immigrant petition

Form I-140 costs $715 on paper or $665 online, plus the Asylum Program Fee where applicable (fee schedule).

Step 3

Adjust status or process abroad

When a visa number is available, file Form I-485 or complete consular processing.

O-1B

Extraordinary ability in the arts

For individual artists who qualify on their own reputation.

P-2

Reciprocal exchange performer

For artists under a government-recognized reciprocal exchange program.

P-3

Culturally unique artist

For performing or teaching a culturally unique art form.

P-1A

Internationally recognized athlete

The P-1 route for athletes and teams.

Common questions

Can a member perform solo while in the U.S.?

No. P-1B members may not perform separate and apart from the group. Individual artists usually consider O-1B.

What if a member just joined the group?

Only 75 percent of members must have been with the group for at least a year. USCIS can also waive the one-year rule for a member replacing someone due to illness or unexpected circumstances, or for a member who augments the group in a critical role.

Do circuses need international recognition?

No. Circus performers and essential circus personnel are exempt from the one-year and international-recognition requirements if they join a nationally recognized circus.

Official sources

Recent changes

Sep 9, 2026
New edition of Form I-129 (09/09/26). USCIS published a new Form I-129 edition. Petitions postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Nov. 9, 2026 must use the 09/09/26 edition; the 02/27/26 edition is accepted until then. Source ↗
Jan 12, 2026
Premium processing fee rises to $2,965. Inflation adjustment: the Form I-907 fee for I-129 petitions in L, O and P (and most other) classifications increased from $2,805 to $2,965 for requests postmarked on or after March 1, 2026. Source ↗
Dec 16, 2025
Proclamation 10998 expands entry restrictions. Effective Jan. 1, 2026, entry of nationals of additional countries was fully or partially suspended. Full suspensions cover nonimmigrant visas, including employment categories; partial suspensions cover B, F, M and J visas and shorten validity of other nonimmigrant visas. Limited exceptions apply. Source ↗
Sep 18, 2025
Narrower visa interview waivers. Effective Oct. 1, 2025, nearly all nonimmigrant visa applicants, including children under 14 and adults over 79, generally need an in-person consular interview. Waivers remain mainly for diplomatic and official visa classes and certain B-1/B-2, Border Crossing Card and H-2A renewals; consular officers may still require an interview in any case. Source ↗
Jul 22, 2025
Visa Integrity Fee: not yet implemented. Public Law 119-21 (July 4, 2025) created a Visa Integrity Fee of at least $250 payable when a nonimmigrant visa is issued. DHS stated the fee “requires cross-agency coordination before implementing” and “will be implemented in a future publication.” Source ↗
Jun 4, 2025
Proclamation 10949 restricts entry from listed countries. Fully suspended entry of immigrants and nonimmigrants from 12 countries and partially suspended entry from 7 others, effective June 9, 2025. Later amended by Proclamation 10998. Source ↗
Jan 31, 2024
USCIS fee rule sets separate I-129 fees and Asylum Program Fee. Effective April 1, 2024, Form I-129 fees vary by classification, with reduced fees for small employers and nonprofits, plus a new Asylum Program Fee paid by I-129 petitioners. Source ↗

This page is general reference material compiled from the official sources above and is not legal advice. Eligibility depends on individual facts; rules and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you file. VisaTypes.com is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of State or any government agency. Spotted an error? Tell us.