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temporary workers in sports related activities

The H-2B nonimmigrant visa classification applies to foreign nationals seeking to enter the U.S. to perform non-agricultural work or labor that is temporary in nature. For H-2B purposes, this includes work that is seasonal or peak load. The employer must also prove that there is an insufficient number of U.S. workers willing or able to perform the work, and this is established through the Labor Certification process conducted in conjunction with the Department of Labor, which can be a complex process. This type of visa includes sports professionals, including, for instance, within the equestrian industry (including Show Riders, Jockeys, Polo Players, and all horse riders and/or trainers).

Here are some key basics regarding H-2B visas:

1) there are insufficient U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available to do the temporary work; and

2) the employment of H-2B foreign nationals will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.

For athletes and other sport professionals, like polo players that do not qualify for O-1 or P-1 visas, an H-2B visa category is the best way to seek work in the U.S. An O-1 visa is available to individual athletes of “extraordinary ability,” who can demonstrate that they possess “a level of expertise indicating that they are one of the small percentage that have risen to the top of the field of endeavor.” Examples of O-1 eligible athletes would be Wayne Gretzky, Ronaldo, and Annika Sorenstam. P-1 visas include athletes who cannot meet the “extraordinary ability standard” required for an O-1 visa if the athlete can prove that he or she is internationally recognized and is coming to the U.S. to participate in a league or event with a distinguished reputation. Athletes under contract with the NHL, NBA, MLB, MLS and NFL need only establish that they have a major league contract to qualify for a P-1 visa. Unlike the more stringent O-1 and P-1 types of visa, the H-2B visa allows athletes to be temporarily employed in the U.S. However, as mentioned above, to obtain an H-2B visa the sponsoring team must obtain a labor certification from the Department of Labor. Athletes playing under a minor league contract typically are issued an H-2B visa but only for the duration of the season, up to a maximum of one year.

A petition for an H-2B athlete must be accompanied by a tendered contract and a labor certification issued by the United States Department of Labor. Professional leagues must adhere to the total number of H-2B positions granted to them by the Department of Labor. Injured players and players who voluntarily terminate their employment with a league may be replaced on existing petitions provided the injured or terminated employee returns to their native country. Such replacement will generally require the filing of a new petition. If an H-2B player is traded to another team, the player’s H-2B labor certification slot remains with the trading team and the receiving team must have an available slot to receive the player. If a team does not use all its designated H-2B labor certification slots on an initial petition, any subsequent signings to fill designated slots will require a new petition.

H-2B visa athletes and employers in the athletic arena can benefit greatly from the assistance of an experienced immigration attorney especially when it comes to filing a successful Labor Certification that complies with the Department of Labor standards and meeting the H-2B numerical limit deadlines.  

 

For Further Information On How We Can Help Your Firm Meet Its Employment Eligibility Verification Obligations, Please Contact Amy Wildes At amy@wildeslaw.com