Changing visa status - help!

[nickyfoficky]

I'm currently completing my OPT - problem is my OPT expires March 6th, and the contract I'm working on expires April 19.

I'm a professional musician and plan on getting a P-2 or O-1 visa to cover that period.

My OPT expires in the middle of a production, so I would prefer my new visa to start before my OPT expires. (The company I'm with will draft me a new contract with the start date I specify)

My question is this:
Does it matter if my visas overlap? Will immigration simply cancel those last few days of my OPT and switch me over to P-2 status when I recross the border? Or should I start the new visa the day after my OPT expires? Will Immigration be confused when I apply for a P-2 visa that starts before my OPT is completed?

Any information would be very much appreciated. Also, if anyone has some experience or knowledge of the P-2 process that would be great! I've heard it is pretty simple, but it is my first time applying for it, so I'm a little nervous!

[CalGreenCard]

As you surmise, your OPT will be, in effect, canceled once a successful petition to switch to O-1 or P-2 on an earlier date has been approved.

Since I'm not sure if it is deemed appropriate to post specific attorney names in the forums, I just PM'ed you a message with an attorney recommendation for your kind of case.

[nickyfoficky]

Thanks so much - I think that answers my question!

Thanks for the attorney recommendation - I'm mainly interested in the P-2 visa since it isn't nearly as difficult to put together, and I have someone I'm working with at AFM, so I think I should be okay without an attorney. However, I will contact them if a problem arises!

[Steven]

As soon as you enter in another category your previous category becomes invalid.

P-2 is done through the union - http://www.afm.org/departments/touring- ... nd-answers