A major Miami update, if you have not already heard, world renowned professional soccer player Lionel Messi announced recently via Instagram that he is joining the Intermiami Soccer Team. The Argentinian soccer player will be joining the team in late July after his current contract ends and his visa paperwork is finalized.
He has two options for a temporary visa. Messi could either petition for an O1 Visa or P-1A Visa. The O-1 Visa is for individuals with extraordinary abilities and is valid for an initial period of 3 years and may be extended indefinitely in one year increments. The P-1A Visa allows a foreign athlete to come to the U.S. to compete in a specific event and lasts through the duration of the event and cannot exceed 10 years.
Learn more about professional athlete visas by clicking here!