Santiago "Jairo" Casilla having visa issues

One can only imagine the visa issues are related to his true name and birth date. The best part about Casilla not being an Athletic is that he's a Giant.

over 2 years ago Technotofu 4 comments 0 recs |

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he has had visa issues each year since coming clean about his true name

also, many foreign players have visa issues. They aren’t always related to identity problems, as Casilla’s might be. Funding for processing visa requests to the US, especially work visas, has been cut over the past few years, which among other things results in some bureaucratic backlog.

by OaklandSi on Feb 19, 2010 12:30 PM PST reply actions

So would that be an O or an H visa?

You seem pretty knowledgeable on the subject, OaklandSi!

by Technotofu on Feb 19, 2010 5:49 PM PST reply actions

actually, major leaguers usually enter with a P-1 visa

P-1 visas are nonimmigrant entertainment visas, which are issued to artists and athletes for specific events. Apparently for MLB players the even is the full major league season (including spring training and the postseason, although there are often delays that mean the player might miss part of spring training). However, a P-1 visa can be valid for up to five years, with extensions possible.

By contrast, minor leaguers generally enter with an H-2B “temporary” visa. Particularly since 9/11 there is a chronic shortage of H-2B visas that often delays entry for minor leaguers. I believe they must apply each season for an H-2B visa.

I may be mistaken, but I think Casilla was able to get his visa on time only for the season where he was already on the 25 man roster.

by OaklandSi on Feb 20, 2010 12:15 PM PST up reply actions