Can California O Visa Athletes Accept Jobs Outside their Sport?

Many professional athletes have limited careers in their sport of choice, as being at the top of one’s field requires peak physical and mental fitness that often cannot realistically be maintained for a prolonged period of time. These athletes may go on to pursue work in fields that are ancillary to their sport in order to stay involved. What happens when an athlete wants to obtain an O visa to work in the U.S. for a job that does not involve the playing field?

For any individual applying for a visa, it is essential to obtain the guidance of a California immigration attorney. This professional can advise athletes as to the chances of success in their petition for an O visa. U.S. Federal regulations do not require that the job be limited to only those who possess an extraordinary ability. Even if the job does not require the necessary skill to be considered extraordinary, the key test is whether the applicant possesses skills that would render him or her extraordinarily successful at that specific job. Therefore, the job must specifically relate to that sport.

Examples of applications that have been or would be denied include:

• A professionally ranked tennis player’s application to work as a tennis coach
• A professional squash player’s application to work as a squash coach, where the athlete cites her own abilities as a player as qualifying her to be a coach
• A professional baseball player’s application to work as an umpire

When applying for an O visa, it is important that you continue to work in your specific professional niche. For more information, contact an experienced O visa attorney. Fill out our online form or contact us at 415-221-2800 today.