Athletes from foreign countries in the U.S. need visas. Here’s how the process works

Stars from overseas like the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani are required to have a visa to play professionally in the U.S. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)Fans coming from foreign nations to attend sporting events in the U.S. aren’t the only ones who need visas to enter the country. Athletes need immigration documents as well, and the procedure to get one isn’t always simple.

What kind of visas do athletes need to enter the U.S.?

There are five types of commonly used travel documents for athletes entering the U.S. — B1/B2, F1, P-1A and O-1A visas as well as the visa waiver program through ESTA. Which one an athlete applies for depends on the type of event he or she is competing in and whether…