Can I work at amateur sporting events?

The key point is understanding that the O-1 visa authorizes only the activities described in the approved petition. The visa is granted for a specific scope of work, and that scope defines what you may lawfully perform in the United States.

For sports-related activities, if your O-1 was approved to participate in certain events or competitions, those are the activities you must limit yourself to. Performing at events not covered by the petition may be interpreted as unauthorized work, even if the event is amateur in nature.

Before accepting a new opportunity, it is worth confirming whether it falls within the scope of what was approved:

• Check whether the activity is within the scope of your petition.
• Be cautious about commitments outside what the visa authorizes.
• Assess in advance whether any update to the petition may be needed.

Because authorization is directly tied to what was approved, the safest step is to review the updated guidance on the USCIS website and consult a specialist before taking on events not already listed in your petition.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.