Introduction
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is clarifying for performing arts associations and their members the regulatory requirements for agents who file as petitioners for the O and P visa classification.
Background
USCIS has received inquiries from the public and at the Service Centers that reveal confusion regarding the circumstances under which an agent may file O and P petitions on behalf of multiple employers.
Discussion
Under 8 CFR 214.2(o)(2)(i) and 8 CFR 214.2 (p)(2)(i), O and P petitions may only be filed by a U.S. employer, a U.S. agent, or a foreign employer through a U.S agent. Both the O and P regulations provide that if the beneficiary employee will work concurrently for more than one employer within the same time period, each employer must file a separate petition with the Service Center that has jurisdiction over the area where the alien will perform services, unless an “established agent” files the petition. See 8 CFR 214.2(o)(2)(iv)(B) and 8 CFR 214.2(p)(2)(iv)(B).
A petition filed by an agent is subject to several conditions. A petition involving multiple employers may be filed by a person or company in business as an agent as the representative of both the employers and the beneficiary, if: