After collecting the necessary signatures, the White House has 60 days to respond to a petition to consider competitive gamers as athletes.

The petition, which reached 100,000 signatures last night, aims to make it easier for esports competitors to receive the same visas that international athletes in traditional sports use to work in the United States.

The class of visa is called a P-1A and is given to those who complete “at an internationally recognized level of performance.” Sadly, this designation is not often bestowed upon competitive gamers.

The visas are given on a case-by-case basis and making esports a legitimate athletic category would give players a much better chance to meet the requirements.

It all started after Super Smash Bros. Melee star William “Leffen” Hjelte struggled to attain the visa to get into the U.S. He was initially denied the P-1A last October and missed The Big House 5 tournament in Michigan.

Red Bull and Team SoloMid started the campaign to improve visa requirements for their star and petition took off from there. 

The TSM member was denied again in late April but has since been approved for a temporary visa that will carry him through July. He is expected to compete at CEO in June and Evo in July.

The White House will respond before the end of July.