A group of California-based companies has appeared to have opened the door for talent from Dragon Gate and Pro Wrestling NOAH to come to the U.S. later this year.
Justin Barrasso of SI.com reports that Lucha Libre promotion Pro Wrestling Revolution has been working with entertainment company Masked Republic to secure P-3 visas for 37 wrestlers from Japan.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services describe the requirements for that classification of visa with the following:
The P-3 classification applies to you if you are coming temporarily to perform, teach or coach as artists or entertainers, individually or as part of a group, under a program that is culturally unique.
For a P-3 visa, you must be coming to the United States either individually or as a group for the purpose of developing, interpreting, representing, coaching, or teaching a unique or traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performance or presentation. In addition, you must be coming to the United States to participate in a cultural event or events which will further the understanding or development of your art form. The program may be of a commercial or noncommercial nature.
The SI.com story notes that the visas will allow talents such as Go Shiozaki, Keiji Muto, Naomichi Marufuji, Kazuyuki Fujita, Eita, Masakatsu Funaki, Kai, Yamato, and Dragon Dia to be available to work in the U.S.
Gabriel Ramirez of Pro Wrestling Revolution tells Barrasso that the first show of theirs involving talent from Japan will be in November for their ‘King of Indies’ tournament.
Ramirez added that plans are underway about the possibility of running a big event during WrestleMania Week next year in California that would be called ‘PuroresuCon’.
