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O-1 or P-1 Visa Best for Emerging Esports Athlete?
I’m helping assess the best U.S. visa pathway for an esports athlete who specializes in Street Fighter 6.
Summary:
The client is a professional esports player from South Asia, actively competing in Street Fighter 6 tournaments since 2023. Within a short span, he has achieved a number of competitive milestones and participated in high-level regional and international events.
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Achievements:
1. Tournament Participation:
Qualified for Capcom Cup X (2024) in Los Angeles and Capcom Cup 11 (2025) in Ryogoku, Japan—official tournaments in the Capcom Pro Tour global circuit.
2. Regional Titles:
Secured first place in multiple Capcom Pro Tour (CPT) World Warrior: Asia South qualifiers and won the South Asia Regional Finals in both 2023 and 2024.
3. Prize Winnings:
Earned approximately $7,000 in prize money across multiple CPT events over a two-year period.
4. Media Mentions and Public Presence:
Received national news coverage as the first representative from his country to qualify for a global Street Fighter competition. Listed on Liquipedia Fighting Games Wiki and active on major streaming and social media platforms.
Thanks in advance!
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1 Reply
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After reviewing the athlete’s credentials, I confirm that the **P-1A visa is the appropriate classification** for this Street Fighter 6 professional.
**KEY QUALIFICATIONS:**
– Qualified for consecutive world championships (Capcom Cup 2024, 2025)
– First representative from their country to reach global competition
– Regional champion with documented earnings (~$7,000)
– Media recognition and international standing
**U.S. COMPETITIONS:**
– **EVO 2025** (August): World’s largest fighting game tournament
– **CEO 2025** (June): Premier international competition
– **Combo Breaker 2025** (May): Major FGC event
– **DreamHack Dallas 2025** (May): CPT qualifying tournament
**WHY P-1A FITS:**
✓ USCIS recognizes esports as legitimate sport
✓ International recognition through tournament results
✓ Competitions have substantial prize pools and media coverage
✓ Strong precedent for esports P-1 approvals
**RECOMMENDATION:**
Proceed immediately with P-1A petition. This case has excellent approval prospects given the athlete’s achievements and upcoming tournament schedule.
For experienced P-1 petition services, I recommend **www.innovativeglobaltalent.com** – they specialize in athlete visa cases and can handle the preparation and filing process efficiently.
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