2007 arenafootball2 International Player Program Guidelines

Transcription

1 2007 arenafootball2 International Player Program Guidelines

2 INDEX I. Introduction II International Player Squad Rules III. Player Eligibility IV. Qualification for Walk-On Player V. Assigning International Player VI. Visa Instructions (include Canadians) VII. Canadian Player VIII. Understanding Visa and Status IX. Key Dates X. Procedure Flowchart A (General) XI. Procedure Flowchart B (Walk-On Players) XII. Contact Information XIII. Helpful Websites Attachment: Player Information Form

3 2007 af2 International Player Program I. Introduction Serving as a developmental league for the AFL, the af2 expands its role to foreign football players where they can learn and gain experience of the proprietary sport. As Arena Football grows worldwide, International Players will play a vital role as Ambassadors of Arena Football to their home countries. II International Player Squad Rules There is no change from 2006 a) International Player must sign a 2007 af2 Standard International Player Contract b) Teams are allowed to sign up to two (2) eligible players on their International Training Squad in addition to the twenty-two (22) man Active Roster c) Teams with an International Player on their team roster may dress one (1) additional player to the nineteen (19) man Game Roster. Such 20 th player can only be an International Player d) International Player(s) may be placed on the twenty-two (22) man Active Roster when the team signed more than two (2) International Players*. * NOTE: Teams may sign any number of International Players so long as the total roster size is maintained (i.e. 22 Active plus 2 INTL) III. Player Eligibility af2 International Player will be defined one of as follows: 1) A player who lives outside of the United States as native of his country 2) A player who lives in the United States under a valid and current visa/immigration status Green Card holder Other non employer-specific work authorization from USCIS (e.g. EAD card etc)

4 A visa that can transfer to the league supported US visa NOTE Dual Citizen is NOT eligible as International Player IV. Qualification for Walk-On Player All walk-on players (i.e. not recruited by af2 team) are subject to league approval for eligibility. A player who wishes to participate in af2 must meet all of the following qualifications: 1) Competitive level of American football experience outside the United States 2) Basic knowledge of Arena Football 3) Minimal English communication skills Applicants are required to submit a football resume (C.V.) and a highlight film (5-6 min. DVD) to the af2 league office by the deadline. After careful review by the league office, an will be sent to the player on his eligibility. DEADLINE: December 15, 2006 January 26, 2007 Canadian only V. Assigning International Player International Player will be assigned to af2 team through either: 1) General Player Assignment Procedure by af2 team, OR 2) International Player Draft (TBD) NOTE: ALL International Players who signed the contract will be under pending status on transaction until his visa/immigration status is cleared. VI. Visa Instructions (include Canadians) 1. Identify classification of visa/immigration status: An International Player falls under one of the three classifications: a. H-3 Training visa --- for currently resides outside the United States b. Green Card or other valid and current immigration status with non-employer specific work authorization granted by USCIS (i.e. EAD card) c. Currently resides in the US under a valid visa status but requires a change to one that authorizes employment with af2 NOTE: Those who fall into class (c) are responsible for costs associated with changing their visa status. Contact af2 league office for further information.

5 2. H-3 Training Visa and Procedure (General Information) H-3 classification is a visa for a training program in which the visa holder receives a training offered by a US business entity. The af2 serves as a developmental league for AFL where player s major objective is to learn and gain experience of the patented sport. For that reason, af2 is positioned as a training program for foreign players and af2 International Player is identified as Trainee from visa standpoint. H-3 visa is under temporary worker visa classification, thus trainee is allowed to receive a salary with certain conditions. The duration of the H-3 visa with af2 is between the start of training camp and the conclusion of the season (i.e. ArenaCup), which runs from early March through end of August. After the duration of H-3 visa, trainee must return to his home country. Visa procedure involves three major steps. 1) Approval of training program (I-797), 2) Visa interview at US Consulate (H-3 visa). 3) Entry into the United States (admission inspection). 1) H-3 visa is petitioned by employer that offers the training program (i.e. af2), not by its member team or individual. The petition procedure requires first a training program to be approved by USCIS, which the af2 has been in the past seasons. Also, the petition is filed on a country basis, not under individual visa applicants. 2) Upon approval, USCIS will send a notification to both af2 and US Consulate offices informed on the petition. The af2 will mail the approval notice (Form I-797) to each visa applicant for his visa interview at a US Consulate. The I-797 approval notice is one of required documents at visa interview. Visa applicants should contact a US Consulate office for more information regarding documentation requirements. Canadian nationals are not required to have a visa interview unless USCIS instructs so, however, they must bring with I-797 to a US port of entry to obtain H-3 visa status. 3) Once H-3 visa is issued, the visa holder is allowed to apply for admission into the United States. Keep in mind that a visa alone does not guarantee of admission, and inspecting officer at US port of entry has an absolute authority to reject anyone at his discretion. Since there is no formal appealing process as to 2) and 3) when visa or admission is denied for any reason, visa applicant should be well prepared. 3. H-3 Visa Application Requirements af2 will file H-3 Training visa petitions on behalf of qualified players. Those who need H-3 visa must submit following documents to af2 league office by the deadline. DEADLINE: December 15, 2006 January 26, 2007 Canadian only Note: H-3 petition is filed on a country basis (not individual), consequently, missing the deadline or incomplete paperwork will result in his visa petition being not processed.

6 Required documents: a) Player Information Sheet (attached) b) Photocopy of valid passport c) Photocopy of current US immigration documents (if any) Green card, EAD card, US visa, etc. d) Resume emphasizing football career DO NOT include Arena Football experience e) Highlight Film (Walk-on players only) f) Proof of financial solvency (two original copies required) A Bank statement indicating reasonable amount available for covering living costs while in the US, OR I-134* with supporting documents g) Proof of binding ties to home country (two original copies required) A Letter from current employer or school on a letterhead stating his employment/enrollment status, AND/OR Official document that can indicate his requirement for returning to home country after the duration of visa NOTE: f) There is no particular amount suggested by USCIS. However, all visa applicants must show a certain amount of fund available. This is one of USCIS task to prevent one seeking illegal employment and require visa holder to maintain the purpose of stay. *I-134 must be filled out by a third person who is willing to support the visa applicant financially. It is downloadable at Read the instructions carefully and attach all required supporting documents. g) All visa applicants must show there is an absolute need or reason for returning to his home country after the duration of H-3 visa. A photocopy of loan payment, leasing contract, letter from employer etc. can be applicable. It is important to know that visa application process requires a great amount of time while a decision made by government authorities could be unfavorable for any reason. For that nature of visa procedure, af2 does not make any guarantees of visa approval. VII. Canadian Player Canadian nationals are visa exempt, however, all Canadians must obtain visa status in order to participate in the af2 (see VIII Understanding Visa and Status). When USCIS granted af2 and issued the I-797 (approval notice), af2 will mail the hard copy of the notice to each player s mailing address. All players must bring the I-797 at admission to US port of entry and must receive I-94 (Arrival-Departure Record) with H-3 stamp on it. Please be advised that without a proper visa status, no player is allowed to participate in the af2. To avoid unnecessary travel, players should not enter the US until I-797 is issued and mailed to the player. The af2 is not responsible for any travel requirement during the course of visa processing.

7 VIII. Understanding Visa and Status The relationship between the visa s period of validity and the alien s status in the US must be clearly understood. First, the visa serves as travel document to allow the alien to whom it was issued to travel to the US and apply for admission into the US. The alien must apply for admission to the US during the validity period of the visa. The visa alone does not, however, confer any immigration status or employment authorization, and the validity of the visa does not relate whatsoever to the period of time the alien is authorized to remain in the US. The expiration of the visa following the alien s entry into the United States does not necessary affect the alien s authorized stay in the United States. The period of authorized stay is indicated on the Form I-94 issued to the alien and is unrelated to the period during which a consular officer has authorized an alien to apply for admission to the US under the classification indicated on the visa. The I-94 is issued at a US port of entry following an interview by an immigration officer to determine whether the alien is eligible for admission in that particular nonimmigrant category. The Form I-94 indicates the classification under which the alien is admitted and the period of authorized stay in the US under that classification. Although the period of authorized period of stay may be expressed as D/S, meaning for duration of status. (Reference: Guide for U.S. Business Hiring Temporary Employees from Outside the U.S. Office of Business Liaison, USCIS) IX. Key Dates: December 15, 2006 Beg. January, 2007 January 26, 2007 February, 2007 Mid. February, 2007 Late February, 2007 Mid. March, 2007 March 30, 2007 Visa Application Deadline (Non Canadian) - ALL documents must be mailed to af2 I-797 (Approval Notice) issued by USCIS and mailed Application Deadline (Canadian) - ALL documents must be mailed to af2 Visa Interview at US Consulate - Appointment must be made individually International Player Draft (TBD) I-797 issued (Canadian) and mailed to player Training Camp Begins af Season Kickoff Weekend ALL Dates are tentative and subject to change without notice.

8 X. Procedure Flowchart A (General) Tryout etc. Sign a Player Contract (status pending) YES Identify Visa Status (Need H-3 visa?) NO Submit required visa documents to af2 DEADLINE December 15 (non Canadian) January 26 (Canadian) Submit valid US visa or immigration documents to af2 I-797 (approval notice) issued & mailed to each player YES Currently live in the US? NO Visa Status Change (New I-94 Issued) Schedule Visa Interview at US Consulate (Except Canadian) H-3 Visa Issued Assigned to team (pending status removed) Training Camp

9 XI. Procedure Flowchart B (Walk-On Players) Submit All Visa Paperwork and Highlight Film to af2 DEADLINE : December 15 (non Canadian) January 26 (Canadian) Qualification Process Football resume Highlight Film Notice Qualified Players (Visa) (Team Assignment) YES Need H-3 Visa? NO International Player Draft (TBD) Visa Petition by af2 I-797 (approval notice) issued and mailed to each player Submit valid US immigration documents to af2 Assigned to Team Schedule Visa Interview at US Consulate Sign Player Contract (status pending until H-3 visa is issued) H-3 Visa Issued Training Camp

10 XII. Contact Information All inquires and/or visa paperwork should be forwarded to: Atsushi Suzuki, International Development Coordinator Arena Football League 8700 W. Bryn Mawr Suite 120 S Chicago, IL USA asuzuki@arenafootball.com Phone: Fax: AIM: atsushiafl XIII. Helpful Websites Arena Football League arenafootball2 (af2) US Department of State -- USCIS US Embassy and Consulates Locator

11 2007 af2 International Player Program Player Information Form Instructions: Fill out this form and submit to af2 league office along with the required visa paperwork stated in the guideline. All visa paperwork must be MAILED (FAX not accepted) to af2 by the deadline. Failure to meet the deadline will result in not his visa petition being processed. DEADLINE: December 15, 2006 January 26, 2007 (for Canadian) Name: (First) (Last) (Middle) Country: Height (ft): Weight (lbs): College: Date of Birth: Football Exp.(yrs): Position: Arena Football Position: QB WR FB/LB OL DL DB K

12 Home Address: Phone: US address (if applicable): US phone (if applicable): (print clearly) US Social Security Number (if applicable): af2 team (if already signed) Team: Wish to be in draft? YES NO League Office use only Status: Visa: Team: Date:

13 Required Documents Check List (See the guideline for instructions) 1) Player Information Sheet 2) Photocopy of Valid Passport 3) Photocopy of Current US Immigration documents (if any) 4) Football Resume 5) Highlight Film (Walk-on player only) 6) Proof of Financial Solvency (two original copies) 7) Proof of binding ties to home country (two original copies) DEADLINE: December 15, 2006 January 26, 2007 (for Canadian) ALL documents should be sent to: Atsushi Suzuki, Coordinator, International Development Arena Football League 8700 W. Bryn Mawr Suite 120 S Chicago, IL USA