NonimmigrantEmployment-basedNo annual capForm I-129Reciprocal exchange

P-2 Artist or Entertainer in a Reciprocal Exchange Program

For performing artists and entertainers coming under a formal reciprocal exchange between a U.S. organization and a foreign organization that sends U.S. artists abroad in return.

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
Basis: Formal reciprocal exchange agreement
Who files: U.S. labor organization, sponsor or employer
Annual cap: None
USCIS filing fee: $1,015 ($510 small employer or nonprofit)

Only a few exchange agreements exist. USCIS lists agreements involving the American Federation of Musicians (U.S./Canada), Actors’ Equity Association (U.S./Canada and U.S./Britain), the International Council of Air Shows and Canadian Air Show Association, and SAG-AFTRA with ACTRA. The artist must be covered by an agreement like these.

Overview

P-2 is for artists and entertainers, individually or as a group, who will perform under a reciprocal exchange program between one or more U.S. organizations and one or more organizations abroad. The program must provide for the temporary exchange of artists and entertainers of similar caliber, under similar terms and conditions, such as length of employment and the number of people exchanged (8 CFR 214.2(p)(5)).

The petition is filed by the U.S. labor organization that negotiated the agreement, the sponsoring organization, or a U.S. employer. A labor-organization consultation verifying that the exchange is genuine is mandatory. Essential support personnel may receive P-2 classification on a separate petition.

Stays are tied to the event, activity or performance, up to 1 year, with 1-year extensions.

Who qualifies

The petition must include

A copy of the formal reciprocal exchange agreement between the U.S. and foreign organizations.
A statement from the sponsoring organization describing the reciprocal exchange of U.S. artists as it relates to this petition.
Evidence that an appropriate U.S. labor organization negotiated, or has concurred with, the exchange.
Evidence that the foreign artists and the U.S. artists in the exchange have comparable skills and similar terms and conditions of employment.
A written consultation from the appropriate labor organization on the bona fides of the program.

Essential support personnel

Highly skilled personnel who are an integral part of the P-2 performance and perform services that cannot readily be done by a U.S. worker.
A separate petition with its own labor consultation, a statement of essentiality and experience, and the contract or terms.

Duration & extensions

Initial period	Time needed to complete the event, activity or performance, up to 1 year.
Extensions	In increments of up to 1 year.
Admission	Petition validity plus up to 10 days before and after; work only during the validity period.
Event definition	For P-2, the “event” may be the duration of the reciprocal exchange agreement.

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
Confirm coverage under an agreement
Check that the engagement falls under an existing reciprocal exchange agreement, and get the sponsoring organization’s statement.
2
Obtain the labor consultation
The labor organization confirms that the exchange is genuine and meets the regulatory requirements.
3
File Form I-129
The labor organization, sponsor or U.S. employer files Form I-129 with the O and P Supplement, the agreement, evidence and fees.
4
Apply for the visa
After approval, each artist completes Form DS-160, pays the visa fee and attends an interview.
5
Perform and depart
Work only for the approved engagement, and extend in 1-year increments if needed to complete it.

Required documents

From the petitioner

Form I-129 with the O and P Classifications Supplement.
Copy of the reciprocal exchange agreement and the sponsor’s statement.
Evidence of labor-organization involvement or concurrence, and the consultation letter.
Contract or summary of terms, and the itinerary.

From the artist

Evidence of skills comparable to the U.S. artists in the exchange.
Valid passport and DS-160 confirmation, if a visa is required.

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.

P-1B

Entertainment group member

For internationally recognized entertainment groups.

P-3

Culturally unique artist

For performing or teaching a culturally unique art form.

O-1B

Extraordinary ability in the arts

For individual artists with distinction.

J-1

Exchange visitor

State Department exchange programs, a different route for cultural exchange.

Common questions

Which exchange programs qualify?

USCIS lists agreements involving the American Federation of Musicians (U.S./Canada), Actors’ Equity Association (U.S./Canada and U.S./Britain), the International Council of Air Shows with the Canadian Air Show Association, and SAG-AFTRA with ACTRA.

Does the artist need international recognition?

No. P-2 does not require international recognition, but the artist’s skills must be comparable to those of the U.S. artists in the exchange.

Who can file the petition?

The U.S. labor organization that negotiated the agreement, the sponsoring organization, or a U.S. employer.

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.