EPTAs far as the United States government is concerned, eSports and traditional sports are equal.
Five months after American immigration officials first cleared professional video game players to apply for the same visas as traditional athletes, the first StarCraft 2 pro has finally obtained a P-1A visa. Kim “Violet” Dong Hwan, a 23-year-old South Korean professional StarCraft player, followed trailblazing League of Legends star Danny Le to become an internationally recognized athlete on Dec. 9.
Kim said he teared up over the phone when he was finally assured that he’d be allowed to live, compete, and earn a salary in the United States for at least the next five years. He called it a “life-changing” event. Kim's ultimate goal is to become an American citizen.
“It was do or die for [Kim],” said Andrew Tomlinson, whose Cyber Solutions Agency (CSA) represents Kim. “He either got the visa or entered the Korean military.”
The CSA published a triumphant press release just minutes ago.
Kim's professional gaming career has been in limbo since he took a triumphant silver medal at the North American StarLeague in December 2012. He was denied student visas to study English three times in 2013, causing him to forfeit three times in the World Championship Series, a $1.6 million competition that he repeatedly committed to, despite being unsure that he could actually compete.
Following the competitions, rumors swirled that Kim had overstayed previous visas. Tomlinson shot down those allegations. “We never broke any rules,” he said. “He wouldn’t have been granted the visa if he broke those rules. Those are serious violations.”
Despite winning nearly $100,000 in prizes and signing a contract with Azubu worth $50,000 in 2012, Kim faced slim pickings in tournaments in 2013.
Five months after American immigration officials first cleared professional video game players to apply for the same visas as traditional athletes, the first StarCraft 2 pro has finally obtained a P-1A visa. Kim “Violet” Dong Hwan, a 23-year-old South Korean professional StarCraft player, followed trailblazing League of Legends star Danny Le to become an internationally recognized athlete on Dec. 9.
Kim said he teared up over the phone when he was finally assured that he’d be allowed to live, compete, and earn a salary in the United States for at least the next five years. He called it a “life-changing” event. Kim's ultimate goal is to become an American citizen.
“It was do or die for [Kim],” said Andrew Tomlinson, whose Cyber Solutions Agency (CSA) represents Kim. “He either got the visa or entered the Korean military.”
The CSA published a triumphant press release just minutes ago.
Kim's professional gaming career has been in limbo since he took a triumphant silver medal at the North American StarLeague in December 2012. He was denied student visas to study English three times in 2013, causing him to forfeit three times in the World Championship Series, a $1.6 million competition that he repeatedly committed to, despite being unsure that he could actually compete.
Following the competitions, rumors swirled that Kim had overstayed previous visas. Tomlinson shot down those allegations. “We never broke any rules,” he said. “He wouldn’t have been granted the visa if he broke those rules. Those are serious violations.”
Despite winning nearly $100,000 in prizes and signing a contract with Azubu worth $50,000 in 2012, Kim faced slim pickings in tournaments in 2013.
Read the entire artcle here! http://www.dailydot.com/esports/kim-violet-dong-hwan-recognized-athlete-us-government
CSA official press release http://www.cybersolutionsagency.com/articles/news/eSports/12/Korean-Pro-Gamer-viOLet-Secures-5-Year-Pro-Athlete-Visa/
