The United States is a country that has traditionally excelled in the Olympic Games and various international sports competitions. In 2023 alone, the American sports market is expected to be worth more than 83 billion dollars.
With values that are beneficial to society as a whole, sport is also valued by the American government.
And you, as an athlete, may be eligible for a Green Card!
Types of visas for athletes
American immigration grants different types of visas for different personal and professional situations. The P-1A visa, for example, is designed especially for athletes - but it falls under the category of temporary workers. Although this visa is only intended for athletes, it may not be the most suitable visa for you who are an athlete and want to immigrate to the United States permanently.
EB-1 and EB-2 visas
The EB-1 to EB-5 visas were created by the Immigration Act, signed into law by the American government in 1990. These visas are for Permanent Workers, i.e. their holders will be permanent immigrants in the United States, and in the future will be able to apply for naturalization as American citizens.
Each type of visa has its own particularities, and first and second preference visas(EB-1 and EB-2) waive the need for a previous job offer in the US for those who are eligible.
In practice, this means that a person eligible for EB-1 and/or EB-2 visas will be able to immigrate to the United States using their professional expertise and skills.
And how does that work?
For example, an Olympic medal is one of the requirements for the EB-1 category. Winning a soccer world championship, as it is an international award, also meets the requirements for an EB-1 visa. If you win national or South American championships in your sport, you may be eligible for an EB-2 visa.
Soccer market in the USA
If you're a soccer coach or player and want to immigrate to America, know that soccer is the fastest-growing sport in the United States!
According to a report by the Telemundo television network, soccer has approximately 85 million American fans, which represents a growth of 52% between 2012 and 2019. With major soccer stars participating in Major League Soccer, this fan movement is likely to be even more positive.
Various sports in the USA
Martial arts, Olympic sports, ice sports, soccer, baseball and much more: there are more than 170,000 active coaches in different sports in the United States.
It doesn't matter what your sport is: the USA is a factory of champions and the country needs experienced coaches and athletes .
Salaries
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for coaches and scouts in the United States is 57 thousand dollars. This average also takes into account school coaches. The average salary for coaches of spectator sports is 113,000 dollars a year.
And the average salary for athletes and sports competitors is 358,000 dollars a year, a figure that covers various sports. Among the states with the best sal aries for coaches are New Jersey, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arizona and the District of Columbia.
The American dream: another medal in their gallery of victories!
EB-2 NIW Visa: Requirements
If you are an athlete, have more than five years' experience in your sport, national and international awards and recognition in your category, you may be eligible for a Green Card under the EB-2 NIW category.
And, if you are approved for a Green Card under this visa category, your spouse and children under the age of 21 will also be granted their respective Green Cards.
All this without you needing a previous job offer in the United States.
Am I eligible for a green card?
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