United States•North America2 weeks – 2 months
Varies by processing route
$1,015–$4,785 USD
Varies by filing options
1 year
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
Job offer required
Work
Remote not required
Artists or entertainers performing under a culturally unique program — folk, traditional, or ethnic arts.
The P-3 is a US visa for artists and entertainers performing, teaching, or coaching in a culturally unique program tied to a specific country, ethnicity, religion, or cultural group. It covers folk, traditional, and ethnic arts that fall outside the fame standard of P-1 or the extraordinary-ability bar of O-1.
Initial stay is up to 1 year, renewable in 1-year increments with no overall cap or annual quota. One I-129 petition can cover a group of up to 25. Fees include I-129 ($1,015 / $510 small or nonprofit), Asylum Program Fee ($600/$300/$0), and $205 MRV. P-4 dependents cannot work, and there is no PR pathway.
This visa is ideal for folk, traditional, or ethnic-art performers with a US sponsor and a specific culturally unique program to share.
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| Standard | 2 weeks – 2 months |
| Premium Processing | 2–3 weeks |
| Initial grant | 1 year |
Must come to perform, teach, coach, or represent a culturally unique or traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic program
Program must further the understanding or development of the art form
Art form must be culturally unique — tied to a specific country, ethnicity, religion, or cultural group
Must possess the necessary skills and experience for the specific program
Cannot self-petition; a US employer, agent, or sponsoring organization must file on your behalf
A specific performance engagement or program must already exist
Essential support personnel (coaches, technical crew) may qualify if their role is critical and cannot be filled by US workers
No requirement for international renown — cultural uniqueness of the art form is the primary standard
Written advisory opinion/consultation from a relevant labor organization (e.g., AGMA, AFM, SAG-AFTRA, or other appropriate union/guild)
Employment contract or written description of an oral agreement between artist and sponsoring organization
Event explanation and itinerary (dates, venues, nature of performances)
Evidence of cultural uniqueness of the program (press reviews, expert affidavit letters, cultural/ethnological documentation, promotional materials)
Documentation of the artist's skills and experience relevant to the culturally unique program
For support personnel: evidence of critical skills not available from US workers
Valid passport (for consular stage)
USCIS I-797 approval notice (for consular stage)
| I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker | Fill online |
| I-907 Request for Premium Processing Service | Fill online |
| DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application | Fill online |
| I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status | Fill online |
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