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P Visa Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the P visa?

The P visa allows athletes, artists, entertainers, and their support personnel to come to the United States temporarily to perform, compete, or participate in cultural exchange programs.

What are the main subtypes of P visas?

The P visa category includes the following subtypes:

P-1 Visa: For athletes and athletic teams, and entertainment groups.

P-2 Visa: For artists or entertainers involved in reciprocal exchange programs.

P-3 Visa: For artists or entertainers in culturally unique programs.

P-4 Visa: For family members of P visa holders.

How long can I stay in the U.S. on a P visa?

The duration of stay on a P visa can vary depending on the specific subtype and the duration of the event or performance. P visas can generally be granted for the duration of the event or up to five years.

Can my family accompany me on a P visa?

Yes, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany you on a P-4 visa. However, family members cannot work in the U.S. under P-4 status.

Can I apply for a green card (permanent residency) while on a P visa?

Yes, you can apply for a green card while on a P visa, but you must meet the eligibility criteria for an employment-based green card category.

Can I change employers while on a P visa?

If you are on a P-1 or P-3 visa, changing employers requires a new petition and approval. However, P-2 visa holders can change employers without needing a new petition.

How do I apply for a P visa?

The process involves:

An employer or sponsoring organization files a P visa petition (Form I-129) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

USCIS reviews the petition, and if approved, you can apply for a P visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad (if you are not already in the U.S.).

Is there a numerical cap on the number of P visas issued each year?

There is no numerical cap on the number of P visas issued each year.

Can I include my family members in my P visa application?

Family members (spouse and unmarried children under 21) cannot be included in the same P visa petition. They must apply for P-4 visas.

Can I travel outside the U.S. while on a P visa?

Yes, you can travel outside the U.S. and re-enter while on a P visa, provided you have a valid P visa stamp in your passport and a valid P visa approval notice.
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Anton P.
Dana is outstanding. She and her team supported me throughout my green card process, and the quality of their work led to approval in about six months, an incredibly fast timeline.
Surya Reddy
I had an excellent experience working with Davidson Law group on my H-1B petition. The team was extremely quick, efficient, and detail-oriented throughout the entire process. They guided me step by step, clarified every question I had, and made sure all documentation was handled with precision. I truly appreciated their responsiveness and professionalism, which gave me confidence during a very important process. Highly recommend them to anyone looking for reliable immigration legal support!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review for Davidson Law Group. We truly appreciate your feedback and are grateful for your trust in our services!
Jason Berg
Dana and her associates were incredibly helpful through our green card application process for my wife. They were extremely comprehensive in preparing the submission, and supportive at each stage of the process - through making sure we were fully prepared for the final interview. We couldn't have imagined the process going any smoother (what I think might be in record time), and are incredibly grateful for their support. Thank you again to the entire DLG team.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review for Davidson Law Group. We truly appreciate your feedback and are grateful for your trust in our services!
Oshrat Goldberg
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review for Davidson Law Group. We truly appreciate your feedback and are grateful for your trust in our services!
Amir Hejri
I had a great experience working with Leyla and team for my immigration petitions. The immigration process can be stressful at times but I always felt I am in good hands seeing the level of rigor and diligence that the DLG group put into my application process. They were on top of communications and always made themselves available to answer my Qs. The application process went smoothly and their expert advice and guidance throughout made all the difference. I highly recommend working with DLG, Leyla and team are great!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review for Davidson Law Group. We truly appreciate your feedback and are grateful for your trust in our services!
Haryuni Sumawijaya
Leyla and the broader team is great! They’re very knowledgeable, professional, and helpful
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Dana Davidson - Full Bio

Dana T. Davidson holds degrees from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and State University of New York at Stony Brook and has been practicing immigration law since 2003 in New York and nationwide. She represents corporations, individuals, and families in a broad range of immigration matters. Attorney Davidson has offices in New York City and Glen Cove.
 

Education

  • Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University, New York, New York
  • Juris Doctor – 1988
  • Honors: Moot Court Board, Member, Judge
  • State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York
  • Bachelor of Arts – 1982
  • Major: Political Science
  • Concentration: Business


Pro-Bono Activities

  • Safe Passage Project, Volunteer Attorney, 2013-Present
  • Educating the Educators, Founder, 2012-Present
  • Momentum Project, Board Member, 1991-1994


Bar Admission

  • New York, Eastern District
  • New York, Southern District
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Connecticut

Speaking Engagements
 
  • AILA 13th Annual Asia Pacific Chapter Conference 2025, Seoul, Korea, Speaker: “The Art of H-1B Strategic Planning” panel
  • AILA RDC-EMEA Spring Conference 2018, Berlin, Germany, Speaker on “Public Charge” panel
  • AILA RDC-EMEA Fall Conference 2018, Johannesburg, South Africa, Speaker: “Practice Management in the New Age” panel
  • AILA RDC-EMEA Spring Conference 2018, Madrid, Spain, Speaker: “El Traje de Luces: Self-Sponsored Petitions – EB-1A and NIW”  
  • AILA RDC-EMEA Spring Conference 2017, Brussels, Belgium, Speaker: “Continuing Blanket L Challenges”
  • Safe Passage Project, March 2017, Speaker: “Representing Unaccompanied Minors: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and the Effects of President Trump’s Executive Orders on Immigration”
  • AILA RDC-EMEA Fall Conference 2016, Speaker: “It’s Not About Money: I-864”
  • AILA RDC-EMEA Spring Conference 2016, Vienna, Austria, Speaker: “K-Visa: Differences Between K-1 and I-130 Processing”
  • New York Institute of Technology’s Center for Entrepreneurship, January 2016, Entrepreneur/Executive-in-Residence
  • AILA Fall Conference 2015, London, UK, Speaker: Impact of joint sponsors on family-based cases
  • Goldman-Sachs 10,000 Small Business Education Program, October 2014, “What is required to grow a business?”
  • Dowling College, May 2013, Keynote Speaker at the first annual Latino Summit at Dowling College
  • International Taxation Conference, 2010