The O visa is for aliens who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who have a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and have been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements.  O visa applicants must be petitioned by a U.S. employer.

The P visa can be granted to athletes, artists and musicians to perform in the U.S. Sponsorship by a petitioning U.S. employer or organization is required for all P visa categories.

The P-1A visa is for those coming to the United States temporarily to perform at a specific athletic competition as an athlete, individually or as part of a group or team, at an internationally recognized level of performance.  The P-1 visa for athletes can be granted to individual athletes or to members of an athletic team.

The P-1B applies to aliens coming to the United States temporarily to perform as a member of an entertainment group that has been recognized internationally as outstanding in the discipline for a sustained and substantial period of time.

The P-3 visa applies to aliens coming to the United States either individually or as a group for the purpose of developing, interpreting, representing, coaching, or teaching a unique or traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performance or presentation. In addition, the alien must be coming to the United States to participate in a cultural event or events which will further the understanding or development of the art form. The program may be of a commercial or noncommercial nature.