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P-4 — Dependent of P-1, P-2, or P-3
United StatesUnited States•North America
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P-4 — Dependent of P-1, P-2, or P-3

Residency Pathway

At a Glance

Processing Time

2 weeks – 10 months

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

USD $625–$3,640

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

Up to 5 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information
United States flag

Living in United States

Cost of Living
Baseline
Avg Salary$52,000
Quality of Life
185/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Spouse or unmarried child (under 21) of a P-1, P-2, or P-3 visa holder.

772 chars (3 paragraphs: P1=263, P2=320, P3=185)

United States

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Cost Breakdown

MRV fee (petition-based nonimmigrant visa)USD $205
Visa issuance fee (reciprocal, varies by nationality)—
I-539 (online, change/extension of status)USD $420
I-539 (paper, change/extension of status)USD $470
optional
Premium processing (I-907, optional, paid by principal's sponsor for underlying P-1/2/3 petition)USD $2,965
optional
TotalUSD $625–$3,640

Processing Time

Standard (I-129 petition)2–6 months
Premium processing (I-129)2 weeks
In-country change of status (I-539)5–10 months

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be the spouse or unmarried child under age 21 of a valid P-1, P-2, or P-3 visa holder

Principal must have an approved or pending I-129 petition

Must demonstrate qualifying relationship (marriage certificate or birth certificate)

Evidence of principal's financial support

Must demonstrate intent to depart when principal's status ends (nonimmigrant intent required)

Must be admissible under INA §212(a) grounds

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport (valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay)

DS-160 confirmation page

Visa interview appointment confirmation

MRV fee receipt

US passport-style photo

Proof of relationship to principal (marriage certificate for spouse; birth certificate for child)

Principal's I-797 approval notice and I-94 printout

Evidence of financial support from petitioner/employer

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • No annual cap — unlimited number of P-4 visas issued
  • No separate petition required for dependents; covered under principal's I-129
  • Can accompany or follow-to-join principal at any point during their authorized stay
  • Extendable in same increments as principal, up to 10 years for P-1A dependents
  • Children under 21 and spouses both qualify
  • Canadian citizens are visa-exempt and can present at port of entry

Worth Knowing

  • P-4 holders are NOT authorized to work in the United States
  • No Employment Authorization Document (EAD) pathway exists based solely on P-4 status
  • Those wishing to work must change to a work-authorized status (e.g., H-1B, O-1)
  • Single-intent visa — must demonstrate intent to depart when principal's status ends
  • No direct green card pathway from P-4 status itself
  • If principal's status ends or they depart, P-4 holder must also depart
  • In-country I-539 change of status processing currently runs 5–10+ months
  • Remote work for any employer (US or foreign) is not permitted without separate work authorization

Application Process

1

Principal's sponsor files Form I-129 petition with USCIS including derivative P-4 request

2

Upon I-129 approval, P-4 applicant completes Form DS-160 online at ceac.state.gov

3

Pay $205 MRV fee

4

Schedule and attend visa interview at nearest US Embassy or Consulate

5

Present at US port of entry; CBP officer sets I-94 admission period

6

For in-country change of status

file Form I-539 concurrently with principal's I-129 extension

Application Forms

DS-160
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Fill online
I-539
Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
Fill online
I-129
Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
Fill online

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