On September 17, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) implemented significant revisions to the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) governing the B-1 visitor visa for professional athletes and their support staff. These updates, outlined in 9 FAM 402.2-5(C)(4), redefine who qualifies as a B-1 visitor in the sports industry and impose new documentation and eligibility hurdles for athletes competing or training in the United States.
The new rules primarily affect three groups:
- Professional athletes competing for prize money;
- Support staff for non-U.S.-based athletes and teams; and
- Amateur athletes attending professional tryouts in the U.S.
While the changes bring long-needed clarity for coaches, referees, and event staff, they also narrow eligibility for athletes who have traditionally used B-1 status for short-term training or competition without formal U.S. sponsorship.
“These updates mark a major policy shift,” explains Rosanna Berardi, Esq., Managing Partner of Berardi Immigration Law. “For years, B-1 visas provided flexibility for international athletes to compete and train in the U.S. With these revisions, that pathway has become much more limited, and athletes and teams will need to plan far more strategically.”
Stricter Rules for “Prize Money” Athletes and Teams
Under the new guidance, professional athletes who compete only for prize money must now meet three specific criteria:
- Their principal place of business or activity must be abroad.
- Their salary or income must principally accrue abroad.
- If part of a team-based sport, the team must either belong to an international league or the sport must have an international dimension.
This is a substantial tightening of prior rules, which allowed many athletes to use the B-1 category while training in the U.S. or participating in American competitions.
Now, consular officers will scrutinize whether the athlete truly maintains a foreign base of operations, including income records, tax filings, or club memberships outside the United States.
Who Is Most Affected
- Olympic and independent athletes in sports like track and field, tennis, golf, and gymnastics, who train year-round in the U.S.
- Early-career athletes transitioning from college athletics to professional competition.
- Athletes in low-compensation sports, such as rowing or fencing, who may lack financial resources for more complex visa types like the O-1 or P-1.
These individuals may find it difficult (or impossible) to demonstrate that their “principal place of business” remains abroad, effectively closing the B-1 route.
Clarifying B-1 Eligibility for Support Staff
The 2025 update offers good news for coaches, analysts, medical professionals, and others supporting non-U.S.-based athletes or teams. For the first time, the FAM explicitly allows these “necessary personnel” to qualify for B-1 visitor visas, provided:
- The athlete or team they support is primarily based abroad;
- The support professional performs similar services abroad; and
- Their income accrues primarily outside the U.S.
This clarification is especially valuable ahead of major global events hosted in North America, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics, where large numbers of international athletes and staff will enter the U.S. temporarily.
However, the term “necessary” is undefined. Applicants must clearly demonstrate the essential nature of their role, ideally through detailed invitation letters or documentation resembling those used in P-1S essential support petitions.
Expanded B-1 Use for Amateur Tryouts
Previously, the B-1 classification for amateur tryouts applied almost exclusively to hockey players with temporary agreements from NHL teams. Under the new rule, this opportunity now extends to amateur athletes in all sports, provided that no salary or remuneration is received beyond incidental expenses (such as airfare or lodging).
This expansion creates welcome flexibility for promising athletes invited to participate in U.S. tryouts, especially in sports with growing U.S. presence like soccer, basketball, or baseball. Still, it’s critical to remember that once an athlete signs a professional contract, a P-1 or O-1 visa will be required to begin competing.
Officials and Reciprocity Limits
The revised FAM also includes updates for referees, judges, and technical officials, confirming their eligibility for B-1 status if they are selected for international events and paid from abroad.
At the same time, new visa reciprocity tables limit the maximum validity period of B-1, O-1, and P-1 visas for certain nationalities. For example, applicants from China or Nigeria may receive visas valid for only three months, further complicating long-term training or competition schedules.
Practical Implications for Athletes and Teams
- Short-term “bridge” stays are no longer viable. Athletes transitioning from student to professional status must now secure O-1 or P-1 sponsorship earlier.
- Documentation requirements have increased. Applicants will need proof of foreign tax residence, club affiliation, or income to establish eligibility.
- Processing challenges persist. Limited consular capacity and third-country processing restrictions could delay travel plans.
- Equity concerns remain. Wealthier athletes or federations can absorb the cost of O-1 or P-1 petitions, while lower-income competitors may lose access to U.S. opportunities altogether.
“We expect to see more athletes turned away at consulates if they cannot show clear foreign ties,” adds Rosanna Berardi, Esq. “Our advice is to document everything from income and club membership to sponsorships, and to explore alternative visa strategies early in the season.”
What Athletes Should Do Now
- Consult an immigration attorney before relying on B-1 status for training or competition.
- Plan early for P-1 or O-1 visas, especially if you intend to sign a professional contract.
- Maintain strong foreign documentation (tax returns, club contracts, sponsorship letters).
- Educate your team and staff about the risks of overusing B-1 classification.
FAM Changes FAQs
Can athletes still enter the U.S. on a B-1 visa to compete for prize money?
Yes, but only if they can prove that their primary base of operations and income remains abroad. Most U.S.-based training or income will disqualify them.
Are coaches and trainers eligible for B-1 visas?
Yes, if they work primarily for a non-U.S. athlete or team and are paid from abroad.
Can amateur athletes attend tryouts in the U.S.?
Yes, under the new rule, athletes from any sport can attend tryouts as B-1 visitors, provided they are unpaid and only reimbursed for incidental expenses.
What These B-1 Visa Changes Mean Moving Forward
The September 2025 B-1 revisions are a mixed bag for the sports community. They formalize long-standing practices for support staff and officials but tighten the rules for athletes who rely on prize money or U.S.-based training. As the U.S. prepares to host global events in 2026 and beyond, careful planning and professional immigration guidance will be essential for international athletes to stay compliant and competitive. Contact Berardi Immigration Law with any immigration questions or concerns, and we will put our decades of immigration law experience to use for you.